Brian Bosworth reveals rivalries don't mean as much to current players

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns are two of college football's biggest brands. If you grew up in the area, you likely wore crimson and cream or burnt orange around the house.

There is no love lost between the two programs. They have met over 120 times in their history. Texas holds a 65-51-5 record over the Sooners all time, but Oklahoma has the advantage since 2000.

Brian Bosworth is a legend who made his mark playing well in this rivalry. However, he said he's noticed a shift recently. He said he doesn't feel the current players have the same hatred for the other side as they once did.

"The difference is, today, a lot of these players don't have that same connection where there's a rivalry that's built into their DNA," Bosworth said. "And that's why they chose to go to either an Oklahoma or a Texas. For me, that was like the No. 1 reason why I wanted to go to Oklahoma was to have the opportunity to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl every single year to prove who was the best of the two teams."

Bosworth's comments highlight how much the rivalry's meaning can depend on the players who experience it. While the landscape of college football has changed, with recruiting, NIL, and the transfer portal reshaping rosters, the stakes of this matchup remain as high as ever. For Oklahoma's current players, Saturday offers a chance to build their own legacy in one of the sport's most storied rivalries.

With the No. 1-ranked Longhorns in the way, the Sooners can show that the passion surrounding this game is still alive in Norman. A win would not only boost Oklahoma's season but also give this group a defining moment in a rivalry that has shaped generations of players and fans.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Brian Bosworth reveals rivalries don't mean as much to current players