Important Information About OU/Texas Weekend

Sooner fans are preparing for the Red River Rivalry in Dallas on Saturday. Whether you're headed there, or watching the game at home or at a local sports bar, here's a list of frequently asked questions provided by the university.

Also, News 9 will be live in Dallas beginning Friday with coverage from Dean Blevins. You can catch Dean's updates in all shows.  

Q. What time is the game?

Saturday's kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

Q. Who is the home team?

Oklahoma is the home team for the 2012 game and will wear their crimson jerseys. The Longhorns will wear their white road uniforms and will occupy the sideline opposite the press box. OU is always the home team in even-numbered years.

Q. Which side of the stadium will Sooner fans be located?

Oklahoma fans will be seated in their traditional location on the south side of the stadium (No. 3 in map above) surrounding the tunnel (entering Gates G, J, K, L, M and A).

Q. Is the game a sellout?

Yes, the OU-Texas game has been a sellout every year since 1941. Capacity for Cotton Bowl Stadium is now 92,100 with the fans from both schools split down the middle at the 50-yard line.

Q. What can we expect for the drive to Dallas?

In Oklahoma, all lanes of I-35 will be open. Traffic is expected to be heaviest Friday in Oklahoma and Texas. Slowdowns south of the Red River are expected. Once people get from Oklahoma into Denton County (Texas) it will get even more crowded all the way to the fairgrounds. Receive official Twitter updates: Oklahoma @OKDOT and Texas @TxDOT

Q. What are directions to the stadium?

Cotton Bowl Stadium is accessible from I-30 using Exit 48B if traveling eastbound or Exit 49B if traveling westbound. Use this address for GPS systems: 3750 Cotton Bowl Plaza, Dallas, TX, 75210.

Q. Where can I park for the game?

The parking fee on Official State Fair lots during the 2012 State Fair of Texas is $15 per space. More than 20,000 spaces are available in official State Fair lots. All State Fair parking is well lighted and conveniently near pedestrian gates. Valet parking will be offered again this year. Enter the Grand Avenue Gate from Cullum Blvd. (daily) or Parry/Haskell (Saturdays and Sunday) entrances to use this service. Valet parking is $30. Over-the-road buses are charged $45. All parking lots will open at 7 a.m. Tune in to 1650 AM for information.

Q. Where can I park my RV for the game?

RVs may arrive beginning Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 a.m. and must leave by noon on Sunday, Oct. 14. Accommodations will not be available for early arrivals. Access to RV parking is through Gate 16 off of Haskell Ave. Additional vehicle has in/out privileges. Lots open at 7 a.m. on Friday and close at noon on Sunday. RV parking is $125 and tow car parking is $50 for the entire stay. Cash payment is due at the gate upon entry. Cashier hours are 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. only for Friday arrivals and 7 a.m. until one hour after kickoff on the day of the game. On-site RV parking sales are only available during the cashier hours listed.

Q. What are other options for getting to the game?

Red River Rivalry visitors can ride the DART Rail Green Line to two stations - Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the entrance to the fairgrounds, and MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Blvd. and convenient to the MLK fairground entrance (Gate 6) and the Cotton Bowl Stadium.

Q. Where can I tailgate for the game?

The State Fair of Texas does not have a specific parking area reserved for tailgating prior to the game. Tailgating will be allowed on official Fair lots (not in valet parking areas). Parking on official Fair lots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Parking is $15 per space. It is not possible to reserve adjacent spaces in advance or upon arrival. Open flames, tents and protective awnings are not allowed. Traffic flow and pedestrian traffic may not be impeded. Official State Fair lots open at 7 a.m.

Q. What time does Fair Park open?

All gates open Saturday at 7 a.m. Exhibit buildings open at 10 a.m. each day and close at 10 p.m.

Q. What time does the stadium open?

All Cotton Bowl Stadium gates will open at 9:00 a.m. (Two hours prior to kickoff).

Q. When will the team buses pull up?

Sooner fans can welcome the Oklahoma football team (and greet the Longhorns) between approximately 8:45-9:15 a.m. Team buses will roll up Coliseum Drive and park at the southeast corner of the stadium near Gate L.

Q. What items are prohibited at the stadium?

Fans should follow the same rules and regulations for Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Alcoholic beverages, coolers of any type, backpacks, bags larger than 12 x 18 inches, banners, beverage containers, professional cameras, strollers, tripods, flag poles, equipment cases, non-fair food or drink and umbrellas are not allowed. All items entering stadium are subject to security search.

Q. How can I find my seat?

Stadium attendants will assist fans in locating specific seating locations. Please refer to this seating chart to familiarize yourself with your section of the stadium. A stadium seating chart will also be available on the reverse of your game ticket (designed by Oklahoma as the home team this year).

Q. Do I have to pay fair admission if I have a ticket for the game?

No. Your admission to the Fair is included on the day of the game and will be torn off the appropriate part of your game ticket at the Fair entrance.

Q. Where is Will Call for the OU Athletics Ticket Office?

Oklahoma will operate a general Will Call at the north box office of the Coliseum Market Place building immediately east of the stadium (opposite Gate J).

Q. Where will the OU merchandise tent be located?

The OU Bookstore will operate an official merchandise tent for Sooner fans just outside Gate A of the stadium. On Friday, the store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Q. What weather can we expect for the game?

Temps are forecast to be in the low 80s for the game with a 30% chance of precipitation. Humidity is anticipated to be at 68% with 22 mph winds from the south.

Q. What are State Fair coupons?

Food, rides, and drinks are purchased with coupons, which are sold for 50 cents each at coupon booths located throughout the grounds. American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.

Q. How can I listen to the Sooners on the radio?

Fans can listen to the OU radio broadcast on any official Sooner Sports Network affiliate and on Sirius/XM channel 91. Broadcast begins two hours prior to kickoff with the Sooner Tailgate Show featuring Toby Rowland, Merv Johnson, Chris Plank, Teddy Lehman and Dusty Dvoracek. This show features interviews with coaches and players and a pregame conversation with head coach Bob Stoops. Following the game, the Sooner Wrap-up Show features game highlights, player comments and postgame interviews with Coach Stoops and assistant coaches.

The game will also be broadcast nationally be Compass Media with Drew Bontadelli calling the action with analysis from Tony Hill.

Q. How can I listen to the Sooners on satellite radio?

Oklahoma's radio broadcast for the game will be available on Sirius/XM channel 91.

Q. How can I follow the Sooners online?

SoonerSports.com will again deliver its popular live blog from behind the Sooner sideline, along with official live stats. A live audio stream of the OU radio broadcast of the game is available through the Oklahoma All-Access pay service.

Q. How can I follow the Sooners on social media?

The OU Athletics Department will post updates via its official Twitter feed (use "#Sooners" to search for similar posts) and Facebook page. In addition, fans can also follow ou_football on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos.

Q. Where can I watch the game with Sooner fans?

The OU Alumni Association maintains a listing of official OU Clubs throughout the nation. Contact the club nearest you (or visit their website) for information on watch parties in your area.