The Texas Longhorns (5-0, 1-0) will face the Oklahoma Sooners (4-1, 1-1) on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl for the 120th time in program history. Texas regained the top spot in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll this week following Alabama’s loss to Vanderbilt, while the Sooners moved up a spot to No. 18 after a road win at Auburn.
Both teams enjoyed a bye week last week which should help further heal some of the injuries to key personnel, particularly on the Texas offense. Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers appears to be ready to start this weekend in Fair Park after missing the last two games against UL-Monroe and Mississippi State due to an oblique injury. Ewers will likely play in his last Red River Shootout in a Texas uniform, and hopes to leave the 40 Acres with a winning record against the Sooners.
On paper, the Longhorns are favored and have the clear advantage in this game. Texas ranks 7th nationally in total offense compared to the Sooners’ 121st ranking. The Longhorns best the Sooners in total defense as well, ranking 3rd compared to Oklahoma’s 42nd ranking. But as Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said at Monday’s press conference “it’s a rivalry game, forget whatever we’re favored or we’re not – it doesn’t matter.”
Sarkisian’s words ring true. Oklahoma has won seven of the last ten matchups and five of the last six, including last year’s game 34-30. Texas needs this win for many reasons, but nothing more than to keep their conference and national championship hopes alive nearly halfway through the season.
Will Oklahoma play spoiler in a game in which they are two touchdown underdogs in? Will the Longhorns take care of business as expected against the Sooners? The HornSports staff gives their thoughts on how they think Saturday’s game plays out.
Jameson McCausland (5-0)
The Longhorns shouldn’t need any added motivation for this matchup after what happened last year. On paper, the biggest mismatch is the Oklahoma offense going against the Texas defense. Michael Hawkins will be making his second career start and has had his moments as a passer but is largely unproven playing behind a shaky offensive line with a receiver group littered with injuries.
If Texas is able to move the ball offensively, they could put Oklahoma on their heels early. I think the 14-point spread is pretty big, but I expect the Longhorns to come out focused and take back the Golden Hat.
Score Prediction: Texas 28, Oklahoma 17
Aaron Carrara (5-0)
I know it’s cliche to say, but throw the rankings and records out for this game. Despite being two touchdown favorites, this game will be a dogfight for the Longhorns as it always is. The Oklahoma defense is the key for a Sooner upset, but I don’t see them containing Ewers and company for sixty minutes. Big plays typically make the difference in the Red River Shootout and I expect that to be the case this year in favor of the Longhorns.
Oklahoma true freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will make his second career start on the season and his debut at the Cotton Bowl. His inexperience coupled with the task of moving the ball on a Texas defense that gives up just 228 yards per game will be challenging for Hawkins and head coach Brent Venables.
Texas has revenge on their minds after letting last year’s game slip away and they will improve to 2-0 in the SEC after taking back the Golden Hat on Saturday.
Score Prediction: Texas 34, Oklahoma 17
Marc Henry (5-0)
Red River Rivalry week is here, and Texas enters the showdown as the No. 1 team in the country. But when it’s Oklahoma week, records don’t matter. This historic rivalry always brings high intensity, and both teams will come ready to compete.
All signs point to quarterback Quinn Ewers returning for Texas, ensuring their offense shouldn’t miss a beat. However, the Longhorns’ defense will need to be on high alert, especially with the emergence of Oklahoma’s dynamic freshman quarterback, Michael Hawkins. Texas will need to play gap-sound defense, stay disciplined, and be ready to contain the quarterback run while limiting big plays. If Texas can execute on both sides of the ball, they’ll be in a strong position to continue their dominant run this season.
Score Prediction: Texas 31, Oklahoma 21
Devon Messinger (5-0)
What an interesting Red River Rivalry we have this year. For starters, the Longhorns enter the matchup as the nation’s top-ranked team and return starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has missed the team’s last two weeks due to injury. Meanwhile, on the Oklahoma sideline, the story has been a bit of talent meets pandemonium. While the Sooners defense has been stellar, the offense has been rather lackluster.
However, like every year’s matchup… anything can happen. Last year, the Longhorns were the favorite to win and lost at the hands of Dillon Gabriel in stunning fashion. Steve Sarkisian’s squad is once again favored to win, but will they be able to handle their first real test of conference play?
Keep your eyes on Ewers’ as he tries to shake off the rust, and on Jaydon Blue & Quintrevion Wisner who will have to make the Texas offense more than one-dimensional against the Sooners.
Score Prediction: Texas 34, Oklahoma 20
Dylan DeRaud (4-1)
Quinn Ewers is back and will face an Oklahoma defense that is allowing 218.6 pass yards per game, which ranks 75th in the country. To make matters worse for the Sooners, their defensive backs will be lining up against one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country. Expect a heavy dose of quick throws and screens to Isiah Bond, Matthew Golden and Silas Bolden who will be asked to make plays after the catch. On the other side, the Oklahoma offense has found success with Matthw Hawkins, the freshman QB who replaced Jackson Arnold against Tennessee. On the other hand, he’s still yet to be fully tested as a consistent thrower and his lack of experience will be a factor. The silver lining for the Sooners is if they can get to Ewers consistently, which is a proven way to beat Texas. Their game plan will be an aggressive approach with disguised blitzes in order to throw off his rhythm and test his durability coming off an injury. However, I believe this Longhorn o-line is one of the best in the country and will be up to the task.
Score Prediction: Texas 35, Oklahoma 20
Mitch Lovell (5-0)
For the first time in almost 20 years Texas is clearly the better team and better coached team in this matchup. Revenge will be on the minds of Sarkisian and the Texas team. Quinn Ewers will not look rusty and the defense will dominate the Sooners and Michael Hawkins. Look for Colin Simmons to have a breakout game in front of a national audience.
Score Prediction: Texas 49, Oklahoma 21
THE. UT 35
Univ of Okie 10