The Call Up: Red River Rivalry

It's Friday and we're calling up Justin Woodard to talk about the annual Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas taking place on Saturday at the historic Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

This will be the 120th meeting between the Sooners and Longhorns, but of course it's the SEC's newest rivalry.

Vegas is normally right on the money, but Justin really believes OU can make this game close entering the fourth quarter. He's not sure the Longhorns are 14 and a half points better than the Sooners, but we are about to find out.

It's no secret: OU needs to win the turnover battle just like they did last year to pull the upset.

The Sooners are fourth in the nation with 13 forced turnovers. OU is 12-0 since the start of the 2023 season when they win the turnover battle. The Sooners' defense needs to keep this game in the high 20s as well. That side of the ball has played really well, but the defense still gives up a few big plays now and then. You know Texas loves to take deep shots, so the Sooners have to hold up in the back end. Justin thinks OU can control the Texas run game, but Quinn Ewers has a lot of weapons on the outside.

On the flip side, how much different will this OU offense look after the bye week? What wrinkles did OC Seth Littrell add to help out his true freshman quarterback, Michael Hawkins? Without Deion Burks, the Sooners are once again without their top five wide receivers.

History in this game indicates, though, the winner runs the ball the best and controls the line of scrimmage. Hawkins has taken care of the ball through six quarters with no turnovers. He needs to take more deep shots, get through his progressions, and get the ball out. His legs are a weapon; we know that. But if there's a throw to be made, can he capitalize?

How crazy is this: of the 11 players on the field last year for the game-winning touchdown, not a single one of them will start on Saturday on offense for OU. The Sooners have won five of the last six meetings with the Longhorns and 11 of the last 15. It will take a near-perfect game for OU, so let's see if they can pull it off.