No. 1 Texas walks into Saturday’s Red River Rivalry with the kind of ranking that can make a team look untouchable on paper. Steve Sarkisian knows better than to treat Oklahoma that way.
The undefeated Longhorns are 4-0, the Sooners are 2-2, and Texas is favored in the 122nd meeting between the rivals. Still, Oklahoma’s defense gives Arch Manning and the Longhorns plenty to solve, which is why a handful of individual performances could decide whether Texas leaves Dallas with the Golden Hat again.
One place to start is Hollywood Smothers at running back. In a rivalry that usually turns on toughness, Smothers may be the guy who helps set the tone. Texas has won the rushing battle in each of Sarkisian’s three wins over Oklahoma, and getting Smothers going early would take some of the heat off Manning against a strong Sooners front.
Nick Townsend should also matter right away if he’s back to full use. The sophomore tight end missed two games with a bone bruise, but he was upgraded to available Thursday. His return gives Manning another option, and his versatility could create problems for an Oklahoma defense that likes to attack.
Up front, Texas needs the interior to hold firm. Connor Robertson anchors a line that also includes Dylan Sikorski and Brandon Baker, and that group is staring down a tough matchup with Oklahoma defensive tackles David Stone and Jayden Jackson. If Texas wants Manning protected and the run game moving, that trio has to win its share of snaps.
On the defensive side, Lance Jackson’s job is clear. He put up nine pressures against Tennessee and helped Colin Simmons disrupt the Volunteers. Against Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, Jackson’s edge discipline could be just as valuable as his pass-rush production.
Coverage responsibilities will matter too. Justin Cryer has a chance to help slow Oklahoma tight end Rocky Beers, who has become a real threat with 18 catches for 255 yards. Cryer’s ability to sort out those assignments and communicate on the back end could take away one of Mateer’s trusted options.
Then there’s Jelani McDonald, who may be asked to clean up space against Isaiah Sategna. The Oklahoma receiver has 20 catches for 267 yards and can turn routine completions into bigger plays, so McDonald’s tackling in the open field becomes a major piece of the puzzle.
Texas beat Oklahoma 23-6 last season, extending its recent control of the rivalry. But that result doesn’t buy the Longhorns anything on Saturday. Oklahoma has enough defensive talent to make the afternoon uncomfortable for Manning, especially if Texas struggles at the line.
The game is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and will air on ABC.
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 🡒]