Steve Sarkisian calls Red River Showdown an 'awesome environment for college football'

Few college rivalries have the level of intensity as the Red River Rivalry. The neutral site battle between the future SEC members is as bitter as it gets. Steve Sarkisian got his first taste of it last season in what was a 55-48 loss for Texas to Oklahoma. It was more than enough for him to understand the magnitude of the game for the programs and the fanbases.

Sarkisian spoke about his first game in the Cotton Bowl during media on Monday. He said he’s excited to do it again this weekend because of the environment surrounding that game.

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“My first impression of the Red River Showdown is (it’s) an awesome environment for college football. I’ve been fortunate to have been in a lot of great games and a lot of rivalry games (but) never had that neutral site setting,” said Sarkisian. “From the moment you start pulling into the state fair on your buses and you see both sides? That’s what it’s about. I’m getting goosebumps right now thinking about it. I loved everything about it.”

That kind of game requires a different level of focus and attention to detail. That’s what Sarkisian says when asked about his key to the game. He wants his team to realize that it won’t be all Texas fans this weekend. They’ll be cheered on by half the field and booed by the other half.

“For me, coming out of the game, the one thing we need to understand is the way the stands are split,” said Sarkisian. “One end of the field, it’s a home game. On the other end of the field, it’s a road game. I think you need to handle that accordingly. I think we’ll adjust some things there and the way we approach it, especially offensively.”

This game will mean a ton to both teams this weekend. Oklahoma is coming off a pair of Big 12 losses that have fazed them in the worst way. Meanwhile, Texas has two losses of their own at this point of the season. Both teams will be staring an underwhelming 3-3 start straight in the face. A ton will be on the line, including bragging rights, come their noon kickoff on Saturday.