Chris Del Conte believes Iron Bowl, World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is 'nothing' like Red River Rivalry

Rivalries are what make college football great, especially in the SEC. For years, the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn has been the conference’s headliner. The annual Florida–Georgia game (unofficially known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party) in Jacksonville is up there as well. But if you ask Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte, there is a new leader in the clubhouse for the SEC’s best rivalry matchup.

“Have you been to the Red River Rivalry yet?” Del Conte asked Paul Finebaum during Wednesday’s episode. “It’s ridiculous, it’s the greatest thing ever. They may talk about the Cocktail Party and the Iron Bowl. It’s nothing like this game at the State Fair.”

Texas and Oklahoma’s first matchup goes back to 1900 but since 1929, the game has been played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. This season will be the first-ever time an SEC logo is present on the field, replacing the Big 12 print on there since 1996.

Del Conte is obviously a little biased in the debate, loving the atmosphere created every October at the State Fair of Texas. Plenty of people are in Fair Park without ever entering the game and usually split right down the middle wearing burnt orange and crimson.

“You have 330,000 people outside,” Del Conte said. “Iron Bowl is awesome, don’t get me wrong. At night, it’s great. Same with the Cocktail Party. But this game is nuts.”

Finebaum then looked toward Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione, who was also on set, saying “Joe, the University of Texas is not even an official member of the SEC and he’s already throwing shade at the Iron Bowl and the Cocktail Party.”

As Texas and Oklahoma fans likely already know, people from the SEC love to debate and will defend their favorite team no matter the circumstances. Especially during the summer months when calling into The Paul Finebaum Show. After all, there is no real football to discuss in June.

Since the show is currently being hosted in Sandestin for the SEC Spring Meetings, Finebaum has a slew of head coaches and athletic directors lined up as guests. There have not been too many segments to open up the phone lines.

Del Conte wanted callers to know he was not taking shots at any specific rivalry. But once Finebaum does get back to the phones, you have to imagine opinions will begin to be voiced.