Texas vs Oklahoma football match prediction, selection, spread, odds, where to watch, TV channel, live stream

No. 1 Texas faces No. 19 Oklahoma on Saturday in one of the most anticipated Red River Rivalry games in recent memory. The Longhorns enter the match as the No. 1 seed for the first time since 1984 after starting 5-0 and defeating Mississippi State in their first SEC game.

The Texas-Oklahoma rivalry is one of the most heated and unique in college football. Since 1932, it has been played in the Cotton Bowl at the State Fair of Texas, located almost equidistant between the two schools. Texas is 63-51-5, but Oklahoma is 17-8 since 2000. The last time these two teams played, the Sooners shocked No. 3 Texas 34-30 behind 285 yards passing and 113 yards rushing from Dillon Gabriel.

Texas vs. Oklahoma: What you need to know

Quarterback Health: Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers left the first half against UTSA with a hamstring strain and missed starts against ULM and Mississippi State. In his place, backup Arch Manning scored more than 800 yards and 10 total touchdowns in 10 quarters. If Ewers is healthy, he is guaranteed to get his original job back. The junior also returned from injury against Oklahoma in 2022 and delivered four touchdowns in a 49-0 win over the Sooners.

Search for insult: Oklahoma also started the season with an expected quarterback, but used Jackson Arnold for freshman Michael Hawkins in the SEC opener. The Sooners rank 122nd nationally in total offense and behind UCLA, Northwestern and UMass in yards per play. Hawkins gave Oklahoma a boost on the ground, rushing for 69 yards and a touchdown in a come-from-behind victory over Auburn. Against Texas, Hawkins will need more help from an injured wide receiver corps and a lackluster running back unit.

Leave the schedule: Texas was perhaps the best team in the country at generating long drives. In the first half against Michigan, when Texas took a 24-3 lead and never wanted to give up, the Longhorns averaged 9.4 plays per drive and converted three of their four red zone trips into touchdowns. Oklahoma’s defense succeeded and created havoc. Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas leads the way with 6.5 tackles for loss, but 11 different players at all three levels have several. If the Sooners can consistently push the Longhorns back and force them behind the chains, they have the best chance of getting Texas off the field.

How to watch Texas vs. Oklahoma live

Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Cotton Bowl-Dallas
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

Texas vs. Oklahoma prediction, tips

The Red River Rivalry is one of those matches where you have to throw out records. Admittedly, this is one of the more difficult tasks since Texas has a far superior team than Oklahoma, but strange things happen in the Cotton Bowl. A win for Oklahoma would be huge for Brent Venables after a disappointing start to his third year. Taking care of business would help solidify Texas as a serious national title contender. The Longhorns escape with a win, but two touchdowns is overkill in a heated rivalry game. Pick: Oklahoma +14.5

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