OU versus Texas — one of the biggest rivalries in the history of college football and the biggest party weekend of the school year. However, with a few money-saving tips and a little planning, watching OU wipe the turf with UT doesn’t have to break your bank this year.

TICKETS

If you missed out on buying a ticket, do not make the mistake of purchasing from ticket scalpers on game day. Scalpers know you’re desperate and will drive up their prices.

Quick Tip: If game time rolls around and you’re still without a ticket, plan on having a watch party at your hotel room or head to a sports bar with other people who couldn’t get tickets.

HOTEL

Unfortunately, staying in hotels takes a big bite out of your budget but it is a necessity for many. It might not be ideal, but sharing a room with as many people as hotel policy allows will ease the strain on your bank account. You’re only foregoing your privacy for the weekend. If you’re planning on reserving several rooms at once, be sure to ask if any discounts are available for your repeated business.

Quick Tip: When choosing where to stay, pick a hotel farther away from the stadium than most. Rates will be much cheaper because they need your business and you won’t have to fight traffic getting to and from your hotel.

FOOD AND DRINK

Although all the stadium and fair food sounds appealing, both your stomach and your checkbook will be feeling it later. Instead, buy all the food and drinks you’ll want for the weekend in Norman and take them in coolers with you. If you’re going with a large group, buy everything in bulk from places like Sam’s Club. It will be much cheaper in the long run. Drinking at the game or going club hopping may also sound appealing, but liquor will always blow your budget. If you still really want to go out the clubs, play it smart. Limit yourself to only a couple drinks at the bar and then head back to your hotel room and make your own drinks.

Quick Tip: Avoid buying high-end liquors. Instead, buy cheaper liquors and mix them with juices or soda — no one will be able to taste the difference and your liquor will last longer.

GAS

With gas prices soaring, road trips have become a source of dread. It now costs some serious money to drive a few hundred miles. There are some ways you can cut your costs getting to the game. While it may be more comfortable for you and your friends to drive down in separate cars, draining your wallet to fill up at the pump won’t be. Instead, pick one car to take and pile everyone into it, splitting the gas money. However, don’t try to split your crew in two different cars that get the most miles to the gallon. Two small cars will only burn gas twice as fast, so take one sport utility vehicle if possible. Remember though; only squeeze as many passengers into the car as there are seat belts.

Quick Tip: Before you hit the road, use a gas price comparison site like www.gasbuddy.com to locate the least expensive stations to fill up at along the way. By simply entering the zip code, Gas Buddy provides an up-to-date pricing on gas stations’ rates.