In these scenarios I'm sometimes a fan of malicious compliance. Make it clear that if you have to come, then the game has to come too. Keep the game on the phone at all times. Wear bluetooth earphones so you can hear the game without disturbing the oh-so-important dinner, and when you remove them to hear someone, take out only one and leave the other in. When people try to speak to you, say "excuse me" and hold up one finger to ask for a moment while you listen to some important thing that's being said on the broadcast. Randomly interject stats or play commentary into the conversation. "That's Sampson's third touchdown tonight, he's on pace to set a record." "Pearce got his second sack of the year!" "These targeting reviews are the stupidest thing they've done to football."
And of course, when listening to the pep band after a UT touchdown, be sure to nod your head in time with the band, and give your best and loudest "WOOOO" to the room when the wooo comes 'round.