The Red River Rivalry is finally here, and this year is once again for all the marbles. Both the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns enter one of the fiercest rivalries in college football undefeated for the first time since 2011. This matchup has playoff implications written all over it, making it one of the best in recent memory.
What Channel Airs The Oklahoma-Texas Game?
Oklahoma @ Texas (Neutral Site Game in Dallas, Texas)
- Start Time: Noon ET
- Channel: ABC
- Odds: Texas -6.0
- Over/Under Total: 60.5
After an 8-5 season last year, Texas has its sights set squarely on returning to national prominence. The Longhorns beat Alabama this season and have one more major obstacle in their way before they can start thinking about the postseason: the Oklahoma Sooners.
Texas’ offense is led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, who operates the quick passing game exceptionally. Ewers’ favorite target this season has been wide receiver Xavier Worthy, whose explosiveness and speed is a highlight reel waiting to happen. Worthy has won the Longhorns games by turning the short passes Texas throws into explosive plays after the catch.
Receiver Adonai Mitchell and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders provide plenty of value as well, often winning the contested passes Ewers throws downfield and creating plays of their own after the catch as well. Sanders was injured in Texas’ win last week against Kansas, and his status as of the time of this writing is questionable.
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Texas’ offense sits 43rd in total offense, 25th in passing offense, and 34th in rushing. They will square off against a resurgent Oklahoma defense, led by linebacker Danny Stutsman and cornerback Woodi Washington, that has been one of the best in college football this season.
The Sooners’ defense sits 30th in total defense but second in scoring defense and 10th in third-down conversions. The Sooners are second in interceptions and are the only team in the country to not allow a rushing touchdown this season.
Defensively, Texas is anchored by its front seven. The Longhorns’ defensive line, led by Alfred Collins, T’Vondre Sweat, and Barryn Sorrell, has the Longhorns 17th in rushing defense. Linebacker Jaylan Ford has been a playmaker for the Longhorns as well, leading the team in run stops and interceptions.
They will be tasked with stopping a Sooners’ offense that has been nothing short of fireworks this season. Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma sits ninth in total offense, sixth in passing efficiency, third in scoring offense, and seventh in passing offense. Oklahoma has won every game this year by two touchdowns and is fresh off a 50-20 victory over Iowa State.
This rivalry is one of the most historic in college football. This year is arguably the best matchup of these two teams in years, with both evenly matched on both sides. Expect plenty of fireworks from this highly anticipated matchup.