| FTBL The Iron Bowl versus the Red River Shootout/Rivalry/whatever it is now. "This is Texas. Texas is different. Football is more physical at Texas."

[It Takes Eleven]

IRON BOWL > CIVIL WAR

RRR > border skirmish

This is true on one level, however many of Oklahoma players are either Texas players passed over by Texas, or Texas players who spurned Texas. Much more common blood involved than just a muddy river border. Plus, Texans disdain for land thieves, and the dirt burglars’ hatred of pompous Texans - not to mention the neutral site and unique 50/50 seat split - make for a really good game.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Texas winning percentage .705 -- 911 wins (1 more than bama) -- 371 losses
The Barn - .631 -- 772 wins 441 losses

I know I am biased but the stats say the same thing. The Barn is insignificant. BTW Florida and Clemson fits in this same bucket throughout college football history.

To me the RRR has been more relevant nationally.

This is true. College Football Statistics and History | College Football at Sports-Reference.com This is an outstanding site.

UT-Oklahoma - 104 meetings, Texas leads 55-44-5. Meetings with both in top 25 - 40. Meetings with both in top 10 - 17.
Bama-aubrun - 77 meetings, Bama leads 45-31-1. Meetings with both in top 25 - 22. Meetings with both in top 10 - 8.
Adjusting for the fewer meetings (77 vs. 104), you could extrapolate 30 top 25's and 11 top 10's for the Iron Bowl. It still falls short by this one measure, and it's more aubrun's fault. Bama has been the only ranked team 26 times, aubrun 16.

EDIT - One factor that tilts the national rankings toward RRR is that they play early in the year, as opposed to IB being at season's end. Many times, the loser's season will go sideways. I don't know if that's always been the case, but I randomly looked at 1971 at it was the fourth game. I guess as long as it's been tied with the Texas State Fair it's been an early season game.

 

[TerryP]

Point being that if you're a Texas or Oklahoma "Fan"antic, it's the biggest rivalry in the world to you and the Iron Bowl means nothing and the reverse if you're a Bama or auBurn fan. The Iron Bowl means very little to the rest of the football world beyond hoping we lose to knock us out of the playoffs and the same thing for RRR for the rest of the world.

Last year when the RRS had two top 20 teams played they have 1 million more viewers than the Alabama vs Auburn game—featuring a 3-4 Auburn team. In 2017 the standings were reversed with the UA vs AU game being the most watched in the season. In 2016 the numbers reflected the viewers on AU vs UA a lot like it did last season (over nine million) which ranked as the 12th most viewed game. TX vs OU wasn't in the top 12.

You may think that the Bama vs Auburn game is one that few in the rest of the world want to see, but year in and year out it's one of the most viewed games of the season. TX vs OU can't lay claim to the same standing.

 

[TerryP]

Imagine how much better the RRR would be if the game was at or closer to the end of the season.

Or if it wasn't a noon kickoff on FOX

 

[BamaFan334]

Texas winning percentage .705 -- 911 wins (1 more than bama) -- 371 losses
The Barn - .631 -- 772 wins 441 losses

I know I am biased but the stats say the same thing. The Barn is insignificant. BTW Florida and Clemson fits in this same bucket throughout college football history.

To me the RRR has been more relevant nationally.

I got into this conversation with a guy on Instagram. You know the difference between those numbers? Teams like Baylor, Kansas, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, and Colorado. All garbage teams the last thirty years collectively. Recently seen some success from a couple of those teams, but they have more than not padded the stats for Texas for years.

Also, Texas has had roughly 100 more games, meaning more chances against cupcakes to pad their stats. Let's say nine seasons worth, and that could give you 80 more wins, easily. Sure, look at percentage and they are not light years a part eitherif you ask me. Still splitting hairs if you ask me. But I also can't stand Texas, maybe worse than Auburn solely based off their arrogance and egos.

 

[BamaFan334]

Last year when the RRS had two top 20 teams played they have 1 million more viewers than the Alabama vs Auburn game—featuring a 3-4 Auburn team. In 2017 the standings were reversed with the UA vs AU game being the most watched in the season. In 2016 the numbers reflected the viewers on AU vs UA a lot like it did last season (over nine million) which ranked as the 12th most viewed game. TX vs OU wasn't in the top 12.

You may think that the Bama vs Auburn game is one that few in the rest of the world want to see, but year in and year out it's one of the most viewed games of the season. TX vs OU can't lay claim to the same standing.

One could also say the RRR gains more viewers because it's not on rivalry weekend across the country when fans flock to games instead of sitting at home watching.