The highly anticipated Red River Rivalry game between No. 1 Texas and No. 19 Oklahoma takes place on Saturday, marking the first time this traditional matchup is held as part of the SEC. Texas arrives at this showdown ranked No. 1 for the first time since 1984, boasting a perfect 5-0 record after a dominant victory over Mississippi State in their inaugural SEC game.
The rivalry, which dates back to 1932, is known for its intensity and is traditionally played at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas, located almost equally between both universities. Historically, Texas leads the series with 63 wins to Oklahoma’s 51, including five ties. However, the Sooners have gained the upper hand recently, winning 17 out of the last 25 encounters, including a stunning 34-30 victory over the Longhorns last season.
The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, and fans can catch all the action on ABC or stream it via fubo (with a free trial available).
Key storylines heading into the game include the health of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who missed recent games due to injury. His backup, Arch Manning, performed impressively in his absence, throwing for over 800 yards and accounting for ten touchdowns. If Ewers is fit to play, he is expected to reclaim his starting position, having delivered a stellar performance against Oklahoma last year.
On the other side, Oklahoma initially started the season with Jackson Arnold as their quarterback but has since shifted to freshman Michael Hawkins, who has shown some promise on the ground. Nonetheless, the Sooners have struggled offensively overall, sitting near the bottom in national rankings for total offense and yards per play. A rejuvenated performance will be crucial against a potent Texas team.
Texas has been dominant in maintaining long drives, averaging nearly ten plays per possession when they secured a lead against Michigan earlier this season. If Oklahoma’s defense can disrupt Texas’s rhythm and create chaos, it could create opportunities for the Sooners to get off the field.
While the records suggest a clear advantage for Texas, the unpredictable nature of rivalry games means anything can happen. A victory for Oklahoma would significantly bolster head coach Brent Venables’ standing after a rocky start to his third year, while Texas looks to continue its ascent as a national title contender. In this fiercely contested matchup, a close game is expected, with predictions favoring Texas to win but suggesting that Oklahoma will cover a 14.5-point spread.