Texas Gets Red River Rivalry Chance To Expose Oklahoma’s Growing Flaws

The Texas Longhorns bring an unbeaten record into Saturday’s Red River Rivalry, but the Oklahoma Sooners have the kind of defense that can turn a rivalry game into a fight.

Texas is 4–0; Oklahoma is 2–2 after consecutive losses to Michigan and Georgia. At the Cotton Bowl, the records matter less once the game begins.

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Oklahoma’s defensive performance against Georgia was better than the 41–13 final score suggests.

The Sooners held the Bulldogs to 308 total yards and kept them below their scoring average. But Georgia built a commanding lead, and Oklahoma couldn’t keep pace.

The Sooners have scored just 23 points combined in their two defeats, making it essential for their offense to find a steadier rhythm against Texas.

Quarterback John Mateer remains the Sooners’ biggest swing factor.

He completed 25 of 34 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia, connecting eight times each with tight end Rocky Beers and receiver Isaiah Sategna III.

Texas will need to contain Mateer when he scrambles, close passing lanes and make Oklahoma sustain long drives.

The Longhorns have their own questions to answer.

They escaped Ohio State with a fourth-quarter rally, then edged Tennessee 20–17 in their SEC opener. That Tennessee game offered a major defensive boost: Colin Simmons recorded a school-record 5.5 sacks, and Texas collected 10 sacks as a team.

If the Longhorns bring that pressure to Dallas, they can disrupt Oklahoma’s timing and make Mateer carry the offense.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning has passed for 862 yards entering the matchup, according to Texas’ game center.

The Sooners can’t afford to let him settle in and build confidence early. Texas, meanwhile, must protect the ball and avoid giving Oklahoma’s defense short fields.

This rivalry rarely follows a script. Oklahoma has the defensive ability to make Texas work for every score, but the Longhorns have entered the week with momentum and a disruptive pass rush.

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If Texas controls the pocket and takes care of the ball, it has a clear path to keep its perfect start intact.

Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at the Cotton Bowl, with the game airing on ABC