By Carol Grinage, volunteer contributor, American Red Cross

It’s Texas. It’s fall. It’s Saturday. It’s College Football!

We are a football state, and the DFW Metroplex hosts some of the biggest games in the country. Most of us watch our beloved Cowboys on Sundays, and some of may even be Aggies, Raiders, Horn Frogs or Bears on any other given day of the year. But one thing is certain, you know about the Red River Rivalry, and you have chosen a side.

In anticipation for the AT&T Red River Showdown between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners, we’ve compiled some safety tips for you. It might be a good idea to browse through them before braving the crowds at the Cotton Bowl or beginning your at-home party prep:

How to navigate crowds

o   Plan ahead for traffic and parking; our partners at DART have a pretty great GoPass app to help you avoid parking and gridlocked roads altogether.

o   Know the rules for tailgating dos and don’ts

o   Plan ahead for lines to get in the stadium and know where your seats are ahead of time.

o   Take a buddy with you wherever you go and be sure your group has a designated meeting place in case you get split up

o   Pack a mobile charging device in case your cell phone runs out of battery while posting all of the Instagrams, Snapchats, Facebook Lives and live Tweets.

Stay hydrated

o   Regardless of your tailgate plans, it’s Texas and can still be quite hot in the fall. Be sure you check our local meteorologists’ reports when dressing for the game.

o   Football is a long game so be prepared. Check the stadium rules for what you can and can’t bring in with you, and be sure to bring cash or a credit card to purchase water, soft drinks and snacks inside the Cotton Bowl.

o   Look for and use water fountains, as available.

Brushing up on your football knowledge

o   Invited to the game but not sure you can keep up with the trash talking? Here’s are a couple of resources for you: NCAA official website, Bleacher Report, and the official College Football for Dummies Guide.

o   Check out both teams stats. The Longhorns and the Sooners are both 2-2 so far this season.

And while we never hope for an emergency, know that we should always plan for one. Be sure you download the Red Cross Emergency Mobile app for the game and for always.

What are your tips for safe football fun? Let us know!