Arch Manning has a chance to carve out a little Texas history on Saturday, and it comes in the game that has rarely been kind to the Longhorns this century.
Oklahoma has controlled plenty of the Red River Rivalry in the 2000s, winning 17 of the 25 meetings. Texas, though, still owns the all-time edge at 65-51-5 and heads into the Cotton Bowl with some recent success in the series, including wins in three straight games there and four of the past five overall.
If the Longhorns beat the Sooners again, Manning would become only the second Texas quarterback this century to win back-to-back games against Oklahoma. The only other Longhorn signal-caller to do it is Colt McCoy, who closed his career with two straight wins over the Sooners after a loss in 2007. That run included the controversial 2008 season, when Oklahoma went on to play Florida in the national championship game while Texas met Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Before McCoy, Major Applewhite had been the one to set the standard. He beat Oklahoma in his freshman and sophomore seasons, then never got another win over the Sooners the rest of his Texas career.
Manning already knows what this matchup feels like. He spent two seasons behind Quinn Ewers before getting his shot as the starter against Oklahoma last year, and Texas still came away with the win despite what was a rocky season overall for the Longhorns.
In that 23-6 victory, Manning completed 21 of 27 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown. He also added 34 rushing yards on four carries. Texas finished with 302 total yards, including 136 on the ground, even with a run game that had struggled and an offensive line that had been inconsistent.
Now the Longhorns return to the Cotton Bowl as the nation’s No. 1 team, and Manning has the chance to become the first Texas quarterback since McCoy to beat Oklahoma in consecutive seasons.
In Other News...
Texas Gets A Rivalry Boost From A Familiar Face Returning
Hollywood Smothers has already become a useful part of Texas run game after arriving from Oklahoma by way of North Carolina State, and his presence has been felt in 2026 even with the Longhorns still sorting out their backfield. He missed a recent game because of a lower leg injury, but the timing of his return could hardly be better for a Texas team heading into one of the most charged dates on the schedule.
Smothers is healthy again and expected to be available for the Red River Rivalry against the Sooners, the program he once called home. For Texas, that adds both depth and a little extra bite to a matchup that rarely needs any help getting there. [Read more 🡒]
Red River Just Got More Personal For Texas In A New Way
The buildup to the Red River Rivalry already has plenty of familiar edge, but Texas is also dealing with a newer kind of familiarity on the other sideline. Parker Livingstone, a junior wide receiver, transferred from Texas to Oklahoma after the 2025 season, adding another layer to a matchup that always seems to find a way to feel personal. Steve Sarkisian has acknowledged the reality of letting Livingstone and other players move on, and now the Longhorns have to sort through those departures as part of the backdrop to one of the sports most emotional weekends.
Livingstone has not been as productive at Oklahoma so far this season, but his presence still gives Texas another reason to pay attention to who is lining up across from it. Arch Manning noted the personal dynamics that can come with former teammates facing each other, which only underscores how much this game can stretch beyond the scoreboard. For Texas, the rivalry now carries a little extra locker-room history, and the Longhorns will see exactly how that plays once the teams take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Could Get A Huge Red River Boost At Perfect Time
A bye week can be a handy reset in October, and Texas may be getting the timing just right with the Red River showdown looming. The Longhorns are heading into the Oklahoma game with several key pieces trending back toward full health, including senior running back Hollywood Smothers and sophomore tight end Nick Townsend, while junior defensive back Xaiver Filsaime is in line to make his season debut.
For a rivalry game that often comes down to depth as much as star power, that kind of reinforcements matters. Texas is still navigating the usual injury uncertainty this time of year, with several players from both sides listed as questionable or unavailable, but the Longhorns at least appear to be moving in the right direction at the perfect moment. [Read more 🡒]