Texas vs. Oklahoma prediction: Red River Rivalry odds, picks, best bets
The 120th edition of the Red River Rivalry gets underway this weekend as top-ranked Texas faces No.18 Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.Texas leads the all-time series 63-51-5 but is just 3-7 in the last 10 meetings, including a 34-30 defeat in 2023 for its only regular-season loss.
The victory was a sweet revenge for Oklahoma after getting shut out, 49-0, by Texas in 2022.Oklahoma, which is transitioning at quarterback and could be without some key players Saturday, is an underdog of more than two touchdowns. Thus, the Sooners could be destined for a slow start Saturday while they try to adjust to the changes within their personnel.Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is making his return to the starting lineup this week after missing two-plus games with a strained oblique.While backup quarterback Arch Manning admirably guided Texas to back-to-back victories, coach Steve Sarkisian is putting Ewers right back in the saddle.If Ewers was a quarterback who lacked experience, I’d be concerned about him returning in such a big spot. However, he’s already played in two Red River Rivalry games since winning the starting job in 2022 as a redshirt freshman.According to Game On Paper, Texas ranks second in Adjusted Expected Points Added (+0.54), while Oklahoma is 49th (+0.08). The Longhorns also rank fifth in Net Yards per Play (+3.15) compared to 93rd for Oklahoma (-0.30).
As good as Oklahoma’s defense is purported to be, that’s a significant yardage deficit for a team to overcome.While Texas’ injury report is fairly clean, the Sooners aren’t nearly as healthy.Top wide receiver Deion Burks, who is suffering from a soft-tissue injury, won’t play Saturday.
The junior and Purdue transfer leads the receiving corps in touchdowns (three), yardage (201) and receptions (26).Burks joins a crowded list of Oklahoma wide receivers who will miss the game, including Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anthony and Jayden Gibson.Farooq had 130 receiving yards when the teams met last ...