No. 1 Texas favored over struggling Oklahoma in Red River game
Top-ranked Texas (4-0) meets unranked Oklahoma (2-2) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The Longhorns, who won 23-6 last year, are 8.5-point favorites. Oklahoma's offense has stalled, with quarterback John Mateer committing three turnovers in a 41-13 loss at Georgia before the Sooners' bye week.
The Red River Rivalry returns Saturday with the roles reversed from a year ago. Top-ranked Texas (4-0) faces unranked Oklahoma (2-2) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
A year ago, Texas came in 3-2 and unranked against an undefeated, sixth-ranked Oklahoma team and won 23-6, a result that turned its season around, Field Level Media reported. "We were in the same situation a year ago," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, adding that his team was "desperate" and "found a way to win."
Texas has held the No. 1 ranking since beating then-top-ranked Ohio State on September 13, but its offense has been uneven, The Associated Press reported, with quarterback Arch Manning playing inconsistently, the line struggling to protect him and penalties stalling drives. Manning completed only 7 of 14 passes for 44 yards in the first half against Ohio State, CBS Sports noted.
Oklahoma's problems run deeper. The Sooners started the season ranked 10th but have lost two of their last three games, and their offense ranks 104th in the nation, according to the AP. Mateer threw an interception and lost two fumbles in the 41-13 loss at Georgia on September 26, and one of those fumbles was returned for a touchdown. Coach Brent Venables has said he will stick with his quarterback.
The running game may decide it. Since 2000, the team that wins the rushing battle is 24-2 in this rivalry, Field Level Media reported. Texas is averaging 147.3 rushing yards per game, while Oklahoma is averaging 99 and only 2.9 yards per carry, the worst mark in the SEC, according to CBS Sports.
Texas also brings one of the best defenses in the country, led by end Colin Simmons, who set a school record with 5.5 sacks against Tennessee. Oklahoma has not scored a touchdown against Texas since the final seconds of its 34-30 win in 2023.
Texas is favored by 8.5 points. All nine CBS Sports experts pick Texas to win, but they split on whether the Longhorns will win by more than the spread.
What we know: Texas is 4-0 and favored, and kickoff is 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday.
What we don't: Whether running back Hollywood Smothers and tight end Nick Townsend return from injuries for Texas.
Where outlets agree CBS Sports and Field Level Media both report that Texas beat Oklahoma 23-6 last year and that Oklahoma lost 41-13 at Georgia.
Where they differ CBS Sports says Oklahoma lost 41-13 to Georgia last week, while Field Level Media says that loss came Sept. 26, before the Sooners' bye week.