Game Day: No. 1 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 18. Oklahoma Sooners

DALLAS, TX — Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers makes his return to the field today after missing the last two games due to an injury sustained in the UTSA game. The Longhorns are ranked atop the Associated Press Top 25 rankings while the Sooners find themselves inside the Top-20 at No. 18. Today marks the 120th edition of the historic rivalry between these two programs and the first with both as members of the Southeastern Conference.

Steve Sarkisian is 1-2 all-time against Oklahoma, but his team is favored by 14.5 points and brings an undefeated record into the contest. The Sooners have won five of the last six games against the Longhorns and have a 4-3 record (since 2000) when Texas is ranked in the Top 5.

If Oklahoma intends on upsetting the Longhorns, they will have to do so with a freshman quarterback. Michael Hawkins Jr. is the seventh freshman to start at quarterback for the Sooners in this series, but he is the first true freshman. The Sooners offensive line has also shifted often this season, with Oklahoma starting a different line in every game they have played this season.

Texas averages over 513 yards per game on offense and ranks third in total defense, allowing just 228 yards per game to opponents. Sooner head coach Brent Venables also has his defense playing at an elite level, giving up 324 yards per game. Oklahoma leads the nation in fumble recoveries (8) and has registered five interceptions on the season.

The Sooners defeated the Longhorns last season 34-30 behind quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds left in the game. Texas last defeated Oklahoma in 2022, with Quinn Ewers throwing four touchdown passes en route to a 49-0 victory.

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