Longhorn fans look for repeat victory at Red River Showdown

Ready for a repeat victory, Longhorn fans are gearing up for rivalry weekend. Customers kept the University Co-op busy Friday, before heading north to Cotton Bowl Stadium to see the horns take on the Oklahoma Sooners. 

AUSTIN, Texas - On Saturday morning, rival football fans will fill Cotton Bowl Stadium for what's expected to be a tough match-up between Texas and Oklahoma.

Those who stay behind can catch the Red River Showdown on Fox 7 Austin.

“We see enhanced traffic all week. People are coming in, they're super excited, sales are definitely improved this week,” said Leslie Smith, vice president of marketing and merchandising at the University Co-op.

This year the Sooners take the field undefeated while the ‘Horns are going in 4-and-1. That puts Oklahoma slightly ahead of Texas in the polls, but Longhorn fans aren't letting that get to them.

“We think Texas is back every year, but, at least from the record, they're doing great. And so, to me, I think they're on a roll,” said Eric Weingartner, who became a UT fan while visiting Austin with his son, a musician in the band Laundry Day from Brooklyn, NY.

“I think that the offense is a lot better than it was last year, but I also think the defense has stepped it up a lot since last year too,” said Eric Mendoza, who has been to the Red River Showdown every year for the past seven years.

In the Capital City, the optimism is undeniable.

“We've got our repeat tee-shirts ready to go as soon as we win. We think 2 p.m. Saturday we'll be sending out our ‘Come get your win gear here’ message,” Smith said.

“We're going to win tomorrow and I think we're going to meet up with OU again in the Big 12 Championship, but I think we'll beat them this year,” said Mendoza.

Coverage on Fox 7 Austin begins with an hour-long Red River Pregame special starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. The game, also on Fox 7 Austin, airs at 11 a.m.