TEXAS – The eyes of Texas and the rest of the nation will soon be upon the AT&T Stadium in Arlington as two rivals will meet on the field once again.
- Texas and Oklahoma face off Saturday
- Players will be penalized for "Horns Down"
- Sooner fans are not happy about the change
The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners will face off for the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday. However, a new rule has half of its fan base crying foul.
The Red River Rivalry can get pretty intense in the stands. While Texas fans show their pride with the "Horns Up" sign, Oklahoma fans use it as a way to taunt the other team by displaying the "Horns Down" sign.
The hand signs have always been a part of the rivalry, but that could change this weekend. Using the "Horns Down" sign could cost the Sooners in yards.
Earlier this week, the Big 12 informed Oklahoma's head coach, Lincoln Riley, that players who flash the "Horns Down" sign will be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, which equates to about 15 yards. The announcement has caused some ire among OU fans.
However, some UT students said they believe the rule is fair.
"As a player, I feel like that you should have the utmost respect for the other team. It shows better conduct. It represents your school a lot better if you're respectful and if you value the game and not just give in to the competition," said UT student Prasiddi Paudel.
Referees didn't penalize Oklahoma players at the Cotton Bowl this year when they flashed the "Horns Down" sign, but they did flag it when West Virginia did used it. It is unclear if the referees will keep up the rule for the title game.