NORMAN — It’s Red River Rivalry time.
While it is unknown who will start at quarterback for OU football this week against Texas, the Sooners boast one of the nation’s best defenses. Head coach Brent Venables also has all the confidence in the world in Michael Hawkins Jr., who threw for three touchdowns against Kent State, if John Mateer isn’t able to play.
OU enters the Red River Rivalry undefeated. The contest will be OU’s first in a brutal stretch the rest of the way. The Sooners’ remaining schedule: vs Texas (in Dallas), at South Carolina, vs Mississippi, at Tennessee, at Alabama, vs Missouri and vs LSU.
Meanwhile, Texas dropped to 3-2 after losing a road contest at Florida. First-year Longhorns starting quarterback Arch Manning has struggled behind an inexperienced offensive line through five games.
Will Manning figure it out against a Venables-led defense that leads the country in sacks per game? Anything can happen every year in this game.
Here’s a look at our predictions for the game:
Colton Sulley, OU beat writer
Ou 20, Texas 17
DOG POUND
The Sooners’ self-proclaimed “dog pound” defense overwhelms Manning in low-scoring tug-of-war battle
Jenni Carlson, columnist
Ou 13, Texas 10
RETRO ACTIVE
Sooners, Horns stage an old-school defensive battle, won by an OU defensive score
Joe Mussatto, columnist
Ou 24, Texas 16
UPPER HAND
John Mateer triumphant in return from injury, OU defense does its part
Jeff Patterson, sports editor
Ou 17, Texas 13
CATTLE PROD
John Mateer pulls a Willis Reed by starting as the Sooners’ quarterback, but it’s the OU defense leading the way in a Red River win.
Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
Ou 23, Texas 21
MATEER OF TIME
OU quarterback John Mateer enters Red River Rivalry lore with a gutsy performance to upend Longhorns.
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
