Longhorns in Position to Cover Sooners Wagon in Last Big 12 Red River Rivalry Showdown

Oklahoma’s Passing Game Keeps Scoring

It is not hard to see why Oklahoma is 5-0 through the first five weeks, covering the college football spread in every game. The offense has dominated, headlined by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel this season:

♦️ 74% Completion Rate
♦️ 1,589 Passing Yards
♦️ 15 Touchdowns
♦️ 2 Interceptions
♦️ 132.9 Passer Rating pic.twitter.com/D5m3pRj1sh

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 1, 2023

The Sooners are No. 3 in the nation at 47.6 points per game and also lead the Big 12 in passing yards at 352.4. Gabriel has thrown for 1,593 yards and 15 touchdowns. He had another big game against Iowa State last week, throwing for 366 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, while running in two more scores. Gabriel shared the passing wealth as four different receivers had 50 or more yards.

While Gabriel’s arm powers the offense and is a big reason Oklahoma has been favored in College football odds every game this season, the defense has held its own. The Sooners are fourth nationally at 10.8 points allowed per game.

However, the one caveat is that Oklahoma has yet to be truly tested, and when it was by Iowa State in the first half last week, the defense gave up 20 points. But the Sooners tightened up in the second half, allowing only 82 yards after the break.

Concerns about the Sooners’ easy opening schedule persist into their matchup with the Longhorns, especially without a reliable running game.

Texas Offense Clicking

This will be the biggest test for Oklahoma this season, mainly because Texas has a great offense and a solid defense, making them a complete team. College football lines favor the Longhorns because they have a balanced offense, and the defense might be capable of slowing down Gabriel.

The Longhorns put up 661 yards on Kansas, 325 passing and 336 rushing. Texas’s offense completely dominated, with quarterback Quinn Ewers throwing 325 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Running back Jonathon Brooks turned 21 carries into 218 yards two scores.

The Longhorns’ defense puts them over the top in this matchup against Oklahoma. They arguably have the best in the Big 12, ranked first or second in total yards, passing, rushing and points allowed per game. On top of that, Texas is tied for third in interceptions and sacks.

College Football picks are leaning toward the Longhorns because they are a complete team that have faced an actual test by beating Alabama in Week 2.

Rivalry Upkeep

This is the 119th meeting. Texas leads the series 63-50-5. Texas dominated Oklahoma 49-0 last year, something the Sooners will want revenge for in this game. However, the Sooners have recently held the upper hand over the Longhorns, winning six of the last eight. Yet, Texas has been a solid against-the-spread bet, covering six of the last nine.

Oklahoma vs Texas Best Bet

While Oklahoma is much better than last season, Texas has also improved. Without much of a running game, the Sooners must rely heavily on Gabriel to make plays. That might play right into the Longhorns’ plan. An elite run defense will force the Sooners to lean even more on the passing game, giving the Longhorns the ability to focus solely on that.

All the Longhorns’ offense has to do is stay hot like last week. While this will be a challenging defense, the Longhorns can put up some points. That makes Texas an excellent option for this college football prediction for Oct. 7.

College Football Best Bet: Texas -7

 

 

Texas vs Oklahoma Game Information

• Game: Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) vs Texas (5-0, 2-0)
• Location: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas
• Date/Time: Oct. 7, Noon ET
• Texas vs Oklahoma Live Stream: ESPN