The Red River Rivalry has a way of turning players into legends, and Texas has a handful of names who could write the next chapter on Saturday.
At the top of that list is Colin Simmons, who already made his presence felt in last year’s matchup with Oklahoma. He finished with 2.5 sacks in that game, and he enters this one after a massive 5.5-sack outing against Tennessee before the bye week. Simmons has been a problem for every offense Texas has faced, and if he can get to John Mateer again, the Sooners could be in for a long afternoon.
Texas also needs a breakthrough from Cam Coleman. The Auburn transfer is getting his first crack at this rivalry, and the Longhorns are still waiting for the kind of game that matches his talent.
Coleman has already produced two multi-touchdown performances, though both came against Texas State and UTSA. He also had a 30-yard catch against Tennessee.
Oklahoma’s secondary has been strong, but Coleman has the kind of ability that can change the shape of the Texas offense in a hurry.
Special teams could matter just as much. Gianni Spetic has been flawless so far, going 16-for-16 on field goals and 7-for-7 on extra points.
If this game turns into the kind of defensive fight Red River often becomes, every point will count. Texas needs Spetic to keep doing what he has done all season, and it needs him to help keep Oklahoma from flipping the field with returns.
Up front, Texas can’t afford a repeat of its last outing. The offensive line was part of a rough day for Arch Manning, who was sacked six times.
The Longhorns need that group to hold firm, open some room in the run game, and keep Manning upright. If Texas wins the battle at the line of scrimmage, that changes everything.
Manning, meanwhile, is back for his second Red River Rivalry start. In last year’s game, he completed 21 of 27 passes but threw for just 166 yards. He comes into this matchup off a solid start to 2026 and has a chance to add another signature win to his resume on Saturday.
In Other News...
Texas Gets Encouraging Return But Faces New Depth Concern Vs Oklahoma
Texas heads into the Red River Rivalry with some welcome health news as the No. 1 Longhorns get safety Xavier Filsaime back for his season debut. Tight end Nick Townsend is also trending toward availability after dealing with a knee injury, and running back Hollywood Smothers has come off the injury report as the staff gets ready for one of the biggest games on the schedule.
The good news, though, comes with a bit of unease on the depth chart. Justus Terry and Jordan Coleman are expected to sit out because of injuries, leaving Texas to juggle its personnel again at a time when every healthy body matters against Oklahoma. With the Longhorns still unbeaten at 4-0, the latest injury updates add another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Landed A Rivalry Win Longhorn Fans Will Love
Right before the Red River Rivalry, Texas added a recruiting win that hits a little harder than most. Micah Rhodes, a four-star running back in the class of 2028 and a Texas native, switched his commitment from Oklahoma to Texas, giving the Longhorns another promising piece for the future and a name that already carries some weight around the program.
Rhodes is a legacy recruit with family ties to Texas, which only adds to the appeal for Longhorn fans who care as much about the uniform as the talent. He has already shown strong high school production, and his move to Austin gives Texas an early boost in building out its 2028 offensive class while also landing a prospect who chose the Longhorns over a rival in a way that is sure to resonate around the state. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Defense Is Hiding One Concern For No. 1 Longhorns
The Longhorns have had enough offensive hiccups to leave some room for concern, but their defense has been the real stabilizer in a perfect start. Under Will Muschamp, Texas has turned opponents away at an elite rate and has done so while carrying the burden of being the No. 1 team in the country, the kind of edge that can keep a team upright when the other side of the ball is still searching for rhythm.
What makes the run even more notable is the level of competition Texas has already seen, with the schedule asking for answers against Ohio State and Tennessee. For a team trying to protect its top ranking, the defensive performance has been the clearest reason the Longhorns have been able to keep moving forward, even as the offense has not always matched it snap for snap. [Read more 🡒]