Oct 103 min read

Historic Red River Rivalry Heads to the SEC

No.1 Texas (5-0, 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference) and No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1) renew their annual tradition in the Red River Rivalry at 3:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 12 at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

The Red River Rivalry is one of the most iconic rivalries in college sports. It has featured plenty of ranked matchups throughout the years and plenty of spoiled seasons.

This will be the 120th meeting between the two programs and the first in which both are SEC schools.

The Stakes

No. 1 Texas comes off a bye week with two weeks of preparation and looks to continue its undefeated season, asserting itself as the premier team in the SEC and a national title favorite. The Longhorns have not had great luck against the Sooners in recent years. Oklahoma is 11-3 against Texas since 2010 and was the only team to beat the Longhorns during the regular season last year.

The Sooners also had two weeks to prepare and are looking for a big win against a top-ranked opponent that would give them confidence and momentum in their rigorous schedule ahead.

Key Players: Oklahoma

Offense

QB Michael Hawkins Jr.

Hawkins made his first college start on Sept. 28 against Auburn (2-4, 0-3) and will be the first true freshman to start a Red River Rivalry game at quarterback for Oklahoma. He was a highly-recruited dual-threat quarterback from the Dallas area and accounted for 230 total yards against the Tigers.

RBs Jovantae Barnes, Taylor Tatum

Barnes and Tatum will carry the Sooners' rushing attack alongside Hawkins. They are the only two running backs on the team with over 100 rushing yards this season and have combined for 4 touchdowns.

WR Deion Burks

The Purdue transfer is Oklahoma's top receiver with 26 catches for 201 yards and 3 TDs. Burks was one of several Sooners who missed the Auburn game with an injury, but they'll need him this week against a great Texas secondary.

Defense

LB Danny Stutsman

Stutsman is the leader of the Sooners defense. He earned second-team Walter Camp All-American honors last season and has amassed over 300 career tackles, including 40 this season.

DBs Robert Spears-Jennings, Billy Bowman Jr.

Spears-Jennings and Bowman anchor the Oklahoma secondary. Together, they have made 58 tackles this season and snagged 2 interceptions. Spears-Jennings is also tied for the team lead with 2 forced fumbles.

DL R. Mason Thomas

Oklahoma has excelled in pass-rushing, ranking 10th in the NCAA in sacks, and Thomas is the leading force. He is tied for fifth in the nation with 5.5 sacks entering this game.

Key Players: Texas

Offense

QB Quinn Ewers

Ewers is expected to return to the lineup after missing the last two games with an injury. He has thrown for 691 yards with 8 TDs and only 2 INTs this season. more

RB Jaydon Blue

Blue has been one of the main players who stabilized the Texas backfield in the wake of offseason injuries in the Longhorns' running back room. While he has had some fumbling issues, he's had some big moments and enters this game with 425 total yards and 6 TDs.

OL Kelvin Banks Jr

Banks Jr. is a projected first-round NFL Draft pick. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has pointed to the trenches and pass protection as keys in this game. As the starting left tackle, Banks Jr. will be a critical factor.

WR Isaiah Bond

Texas has four players with at least 200 receiving yards this year, but Bond gets the most opportunities. The Alabama transfer has emerged as the Longhorns' No.1 receiver with 20 catches and 3 TDs. His speed is his main weapon.

Defense

DL/LB Colin Simmons

Simmons has excelled as a pass rusher in his freshman season and is working on becoming a complete player. If he succeeds in pressuring Hawkins, that success will pay dividends for Texas.

LB Anthony Hill Jr, David Gbenda

Hill and Gbenda are the Longhorns' leading tacklers and have been two of the most consistent players on the Texas defense. When they play well, the Longhorns play well.

DB Jahdae Barron

The Texas secondary has been great, and Barron is its leader. While his tackling numbers have dropped slightly from last year, he has an interception and 4 pass breakups this year and has been singled out as a leader by the coaching staff.