College football season is underway and, while there might not be any Team USA athletes on the field, many can be found in the stands or glued to their TVs while cheering for their favorite school. Each week, we take a closer look at a big game through the eyes of Team USA athletes. This week's matchup, the Red River Rivalry, features historical rivals Texas (2-3) and Oklahoma (4-1) meeting for the 109th time. To prepare, we asked Texas alums Troy Dumais and Michael McBroom, and Oklahoma alum Steve Legendre, who they like for Saturday's game.
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Troy Dumais
Sport: Diving
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Graduation Year: 2006
What’s the best element of this matchup?
The Red River Rivalry showdown. It is always played in Dallas, a truly rough atmosphere for both teams. Going into the game, your ranking never matters because, high or low, both teams fight it out and give it all they have for the right to keep or take the Golden Hat home.
What is your favorite college football memory?
In 2005, I was in my hometown of Ventura, California, at my parents’ house. I rarely ever get to visit. The national championship game was in Pasadena, California, at the Rose Bowl, featuring the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Southern California Trojans. I competed and trained at the AAF Rose Bowl Aquatics Center next to the football stadium from 10-15 years old, then switched programs and competed and trained for the Trojan Dive Club at USC until coming to Texas. I sat on the couch with my parents watching the game. My dad completed his doctorate at UCLA in dentistry and my older brother spent two years competing for USC in diving before transferring to Texas to train and compete with me. That just adds to the pot. So, when Vince Young scrambled on fourth down and scored the winning touchdown in the national championship game, the whole Dumais household went nuts, including my older brother!!! So, the joke goes, but not meant seriously, USC stands for University of Second Choice.
Who is/was your favorite college football player?
It is between all these guys for different competitive and motivating memories and reasons:
Cade McNown, UCLA quarterback
Troy Aikman, UCLA quarterback
Vince Young, Texas quarterback
Ricky Williams, Texas running back
What is your favorite tailgate food?
Corn dogs and hot dogs since I never eat them. If at the Red River Rivalry in person, at the Texas Fair, fried peanut butter and jelly and funnel cakes.
Best tailgate memory?
It was for the first Texas football game of my first year in college. The guys I grew up with from diving competitions and the guys that I trained with back in California growing up now were all Texas Longhorns. We were all grilling out and reminiscing on how we all came to be at the same college at the same time. We ended up saying the reason was because we were FAMILY and we helped each other accomplish what we had done in the past, and that idea of family brought us to that point.
Final score prediction?
21-17, Texas
Why do you think Texas will win?
We struggled all year going into last year’s game and came out with a win. Texas has nothing to hide and nothing to lose. We are ready for that decisive turnaround season win.
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Steven Legendre
Sport: Men’s Gymnastics
College/University: University of Oklahoma
Graduation Year: 2011
What’s the best element of this matchup?
OU vs. Texas is a great matchup every year due to the incredible history between these two teams. Termed the Red River Rivalry, this game is one that people look forward to all year long, with a lot of animosity between OU and Texas.
What is your favorite college football memory?
I don’t have one memory that stands out the most. However, I will never forget the atmosphere of a home game on OU’s campus. It is a place like no other and I hope to be able to attend games for many years to come.
Who is/was your favorite college football player?
My favorite player was the OU quarterback from 2007-2009, Sam Bradford. He is a Heisman Trophy winner, but, more important, a very humble, good person. After signing with the St. Louis Rams for over $50 million, he was quoted in an interview saying his big purchase with all of the money would be a “really nice new ping pong table.” I thought that was pretty cool and showed he is a humble, regular person.
What is your favorite tailgate food?
Everything, although during past NCAA football seasons I had been preparing for the world championships, so I had to stay away from most types of tailgating food. If I had to pick, though, a good, old-fashion cheeseburger really hits the spot for me. Simple and easy, but just so good.
Best tailgate memory?
Spending time on campus with many of the OU Gymnastics alumni, friends and family. Playing washers and other tailgating games while feeling the excitement in the air is really just a great memory.
Final score prediction?
I won’t put any numbers down, but I don’t think OU will have any trouble winning. Of course, I am a bit biased, but the numbers don’t lie. Texas just isn’t any good this year!
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Michael McBroom
Sport: Swimming
College/University: University of Texas
Graduation Year: 2013
What’s the best element of this matchup?
The coolest part of this matchup is that it is played at the State Fair of Texas. It is the largest state fair, and they fry anything and everything, and the game is played in the historic Cotton Bowl. The fans are sold seats split on either side of the 50-yard line.
What is your favorite college football memory?
My favorite college football memory is Vince Young running into the end zone at the Rose Bowl in 2005 for the national championship.
Who is/was your favorite college football player?
Vince Young is a legend here.
What is/was your favorite tailgate food?
I love it all - brisket, brats, grilled onions, even hot dogs and hamburgers.
Best tailgate memory?
Every tailgate was a lot of fun in college, but the best ones were my senior year at the house I was living at.
Final score prediction?
This year, I am gonna say Texas, 21-20.
Why do you think Texas win?
Mainly because I have to. We have been down this year. But we’ll be back!!
