Texas vs Oklahoma: Week 6 Schedule, Preview, and Prediction
By Tyler Brett
It’s time once again to renew the rivalry. Texas football heads to Dallas to face off with No. 20 Oklahoma (2-2) in the Red River Showdown. The Longhorns are double-digit underdogs and will be looking to score a major upset for a second straight season.
Where to Watch
Saturday, October 8, 11:00 AM CT, FS1
What to Watch For
Drama is the word of the week on the Forty Acres. After a quick start to the season, Texas has dropped back-to-back games. But it’s not that they lost to Cal and Oklahoma State, but the way they lost, surrendering 99 points and playing confused, undisciplined defense, that caused issues.
In response, Charlie Strong is now calling the defense and Vance Bedford has been demoted to co-secondary coach. Pressure is mounting to put a winning product on the field with many calling for Strong to be ousted immediately. Getting back on the winning side of the Red River Showdown would go a long way to taking some of that heat off.
That will be a challenge, however. While the Sooners enter this game with two losses as well, those losses have come at the hands of two of the best teams in the country (No. 6 Houston and No. 2 Ohio State). The Sooners are coming off a wild 52-46 win at TCU last week, building some much-needed momentum following their non-conference struggles.
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So the bad news for Texas is Oklahoma can score. In their two wins this season, the Sooners have put up 59 and 52 points. They are averaging 492.5 yards of total offense per game and have a three-headed monster in the backfield with Baker Mayfield, Samaje Perine, and Joe Mixon. They bring a balanced attack that will make the Longhorns defend every inch of the field.
The good news for Texas is that you can also score on Oklahoma. The Sooners rank behind Texas in total defense at No. 6 in the Big 12, allowing 429.3 yards per game. Their secondary has been victimized even more than the Horns, ranking No. 9 in the conference in pass defense, allowing 298.5 yards per game. They have given up at least 45 points in each of their last two games. However, they did tighten up against TCU in the second half, and allowed just 65 yards rushing in the game.
Last season, Texas limped into the RRS as a double-digit underdog as well. But riding the emotion of the moment, the Horns played their most complete game under Strong and won 24-17. They’ll need an equally inspired performance this season to pull it off again.
Keys to Victory
- Create a Turnover…PLEASE – Texas still has just a single turnover on the season (a fumble against UTEP). They are the only team in the Big 12 yet to record an interception. Their inability to create quick-change opportunities with a short field for their offense has been a major issue. What better time to start creating some turnovers than a make-or-break rivalry game?
- Harass Baker Mayfield – The Longhorns currently lead the Big 12 in quarterback sacks, averaging 3.5 sacks per game this season. They have been able to bring the pressure on quarterbacks and they need to hit home on Mayfield early and often. The OU signal caller is a dynamic playmaker who can hurt you with his arm and his legs. Punishing him IN THE POCKET will set the tone, much like it did last year when Texas sacked Mayfield 6.0 times.
- Hit Them Deep – John Burt has been missing in action since a big season opener against Notre Dame. Without his presence, the deep passing attack for Texas has suffered. They need to get back on track in this game. Oklahoma ranks No. 8 in the Big 12 in passing plays allowed over 30 yards (and last in passing plays allowed over 60 yards). They are susceptible to the deep ball. Shane Buechele has to make his mark on this rivarly by blowing the top off the Sooner defense.
Prediction
Since 1989, an unranked Texas team has played a ranked Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown eight times. The Longhorns are 6-2 in those games (including 2-1 over the last three years). They are currently 12 point underdogs in this game and it will take their best effort yet to pull this one off. If the defense can keep Oklahoma under 40 points (and that’s a big if), the Horns will win.
Texas 48, Oklahoma 39