Texas football returns to the gridiron this weekend against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl. This is a massive battle for both schools, as winning it keeps them in the College Football Playoff conversation and secures bragging rights for an entire year. There's a lot of pressure for both schools this season, and that's what will make it one of the most-watched football games this weekend.
There are a lot of personnel matchups the Longhorns need to take advantage of this weekend to win the game. One of them is definitely the matchup between the quarterbacks. Arch Manning vs. John Mateer might be one of the biggest bouts of the weekend based on both of their storylines heading into the game.
Let's take a look at the four big matchups this weekend in the Cotton Bowl.
1. Arch Manning vs. John Mateer
This might be one of the biggest matchups of the game if Mateer returns this weekend. Reports indicate that he's pushing to be under center this weekend, but it's not yet official whether he will return. If he does return, he's going to do everything in his power to put on a showstopping performance to get back in the Heisman Trophy race. That is the last thing the Texas Longhorns' fans in attendance want to see happen after last week's game in Gainesville.
Arch Manning will look to redeem himself after his bad performance against the Gators on the road. The Longhorns need him to be at his best if they want to have a shot at competing against the Sooners this season. If the Longhorns take one more loss this season, their hopes of the College Football Playoffs suddenly shrink to lower than 5%.
2. Quintrevion Wisner vs. Tory Blaylock
The running game for both teams is going to be on full display this weekend. Quintrevion Wisner needs to be the running back he was last season for the Longhorns if they want to beat the Sooners on Saturday. With the possibility of Mateer not playing this weekend, the Sooners will be counting on Blaylock to be the primary runner. He is their leading running back with three touchdowns. I think whoever wins this matchup could ultimately decide who takes home the bragging rights for an entire season.
3. Parker Livingstone vs. Oklahoma Secondary
Parker Livingstone has to be getting the ball this weekend through the air if the Longhorns want a shot at beating the Sooners. He is the Longhorns' top receiver this season and one of Arch's top targets to throw the ball to. The Longhorns got good news that he isn't injured and should be good to go for this weekend. That would be a devastating injury for the Longhorns if Livingstone were out for this game. If Livingstone torches the Sooners' secondary, the Longhorns can definitely beat the Sooners.
4. Colin Simmons vs. Oklahoma's offensive line
If I'm the Longhorns, I'm making sure that Colin Simmons gets moved around this weekend against the Sooners. I want him blitzing from different spots on the field to test the strength of the Sooners' offensive line. One of the primary factors for slowing down Oklahoma's offense is getting pressure on the quarterback.
Simmons is a monster who will stop at nothing to get to the opposing QB. If Simmons wins this matchup this weekend, Oklahoma heads home with no trophy.