Runnin' with the Big Dogs: The True, Unvarnished Story of the Texas-Oklahoma Football Wars

by Mike Shropshire

The vivid historical rage and modern day bloodlust of one of the most enduring rivalries in all of American sports—the University of Texas Longhorns versus the Oklahoma Sooners. Runnin’ with the Big Dogs is the ultimate story of one of America’s premiere football matchups, the Longhorns vs. the Sooners, meeting up on the gridiron for their annual pigskin palooza—a deafening, sometimes heartstopping, always memorable event infused with alcohol, animosity, loyalty, and pride. Mike Shrophsire, an observer of this football war for more than 40 years, chronicles the long and colorful history of this fierce rivalry that has endured for more than a century. He introduces a larger-than-life cast of coaches, players, fans, and politicians on both ends of I–35, and explores the rivalry’s effect on the nation’s popular consciousness.

Genres: Sports, Football

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 29, 2006

Reviews

[Steve]

I've read a lot of good books about Oklahoma football over the years.



This is NOT one of them.



I was looking for a little more background on the what maks this Texas-OU rivalry one of the best rivalries in college football. I supposed I was spoiled when I ready John Feinstein's "A Civil War" regarding the Army and Navy rivalry, but I expected a little more than what Mr. Shropshire composed in this book.



Yes, there were some very humorous moments in the book. Yes, we got to read some of the history behind game, the pre-game antics, the coaches, the players and some of the extra cirricular events that take place in Dallas each time the Red River Shootout occurs at the Cotton Bowl.



To me, however, Mr. Shropshire could have delved deeper int the "The True, Unvarnished Story" of this rivalry and expanded on the players -- especially those unseen in the weekly headlines. Again, much of the book gave you facts that many OU-Texas fans already know. What makes this game REALLY special? He touched the surface and got some of background, but it could have been more thorough.

[JBP · Rating 2 out of 5]

NF book on the history of the OU/texas football rivalry that is a bit tilted toward texas (the writer's home state). I spotted lots of errors and the author tries too hard to be funny when the quotes and the stories of the games should have been enough. I skipped through a few of the texas parts because who wants to read about those bastards?

[Tim Shearer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book to help understand one of college football's big rivalries. Think calling them wars in the title is over the top though.