The Texas Longhorns will face off against the Oklahoma Sooners in the annual Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday, October 13th. This highly anticipated matchup will feature two top-ranked teams vying for the top in the Southeastern Conference. Texas comes in undefeated at 5-0, while Oklahoma holds a 4-1 record. The Longhorns are favored, but history shows this game can be unpredictable no matter the records.
With both teams looking to solidify their standing in the conference, expect a hard-fought battle on the field. Texas will have starting quarterback Quinn Ewers back under center, while Oklahoma’s freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. will face his toughest test yet.
Can Texas Stay Unbeaten?
The Longhorns have been dominant this season, averaging over 35 points per game and boasting one of the best offenses in the SEC. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is set to return after missing the last two games due to injury. Ewers was effective in last year’s matchup against Oklahoma, throwing for over 300 yards. He will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, including wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington.
Defensively, Texas has been solid, allowing just 17 points per game. The Longhorns will look to pressure Oklahoma’s young quarterback and force him into making mistakes. If Texas can limit turnovers and establish their run game, they should have a strong chance to control the pace of the game.
Texas has the momentum, but they’ll need to execute flawlessly to avoid being upset by their rivals.
Oklahoma’s Freshman QB Faces Tough Test
The Sooners have turned to freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. after early struggles from Jackson Arnold. Hawkins led the team to a win over Auburn in his first start, showcasing his dual-threat ability by passing for 161 yards and rushing for 69 yards. His composure and ability to make plays on the ground will be crucial as he faces a tough Texas defense.
Oklahoma’s defense has been opportunistic this season, forcing 13 turnovers through five games. The Sooners will need their defense to continue making big plays to give Hawkins and the offense more chances to score. Running back Jovantae Barnes will be key to keeping the Longhorns’ defense honest and helping open up the passing game for Hawkins.
If Oklahoma can limit turnovers and put together long, sustained drives, they have the potential to keep this game close.
Prediction: Texas to Win and Cover the Spread
Texas is the more experienced and balanced team in this matchup. With Quinn Ewers returning and Oklahoma starting a freshman quarterback, the Longhorns have the edge. Look for Texas to take advantage of Oklahoma’s defensive weaknesses and come away with a win in the Red River Rivalry.
Take the Longhorns to cover the spread and consider the over on 42.5 total points, as both teams have the offensive firepower to score. Texas should win comfortably and remain unbeaten in this crucial conference showdown.
