Finally, and I mean finally, it is time to see if the Texas Longhorns can hold the Oklahoma Sooners touchdown-less for a third season in a row.
As of today, it has been 1,094 days since OU reached the end zone, dating back to the Sooners' 2023 upset (fluke) win over the Horns. However, even as Texas has held Oklahoma to just three field goals over the last two Red River Rivalries, the Longhorns haven't exactly put on offensive showcases.
This year, the expectations for the offenses aren't all that different, and the oddsmakers have the 2026 Red River Rivalry as low-scoring as the last couple of seasons.
But don't worry, they still have the Horns coming out on top.
Early odds for No. 1 Texas vs. Oklahoma in Red River Rivalry
- Spread: -7.5 Texas, +7.5 Oklahoma
- Moneyline: -330 Texas, +260 Oklahoma
- Over/Under: +/-39.5 points
While the oddsmakers have Texas walking away with a victory by more than a touchdown, they also have the point total set below 40 points between the two teams.
In other words, they expect the final score to be somewhere around 23-16 or 24-16, seemingly alluding to the idea that the Sooners will be able to find the end zone in the Cotton Bowl, a first in nearly 1,100 days by the time the game kicks off on Saturday.
The moneyline favors Texas a little more heavily, with someone having to bet $330 on the Horns just to profit $100, but only having to wager $100 on Oklahoma to walk away with a $260 profit.
Odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
If you ask me, 16 points is way too high a score for an OU offense that has looked even worse than it did over the last two years, especially when you consider how dominant the Texas defense was through the first four games.
The Horns have allowed just 13.3 points per game so far this season, and that includes matchups against the then-No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and then-No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma's only Power Conference games (losses to the then-unranked Michigan Wolverines and No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs), the Sooners have only averaged 11.5 points per game, and most of that is coming from the defense or special teams.
Also read: 3 weaknesses in Oklahoma's game that Texas must exploit in Red River Rivalry
On the other side of the ball, Texas's point total almost entirely relies on 1) the offensive line's ability to maintain protection and 2) quarterback Arch Manning's ability to make the right decisions. Yes, the Horns obviously need to get the run game going again, but Manning's level of play seems to determine how well Texas performs on offense.
Texas and Oklahoma are scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 10, and the game will be broadcast on ABC. It's time to see which dominant defense is better and which offense can finally answer the call.
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