Red River Ready: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns Game Predictions
Although the Texas Longhorns are favored to take the Big 12 conference title this season, they have some hurdles to jump - one being a victory over the 5-0 Oklahoma Sooners, the team that claims the slot under the Longhorns to win the conference title.
The 49-0 Texas shutout win in the 2022 Red River Showdown marked the largest score gap in this annual rivalry. However, there was no competition at the quarterback position for Longhorn Quinn Ewers who was matched up against Sooners' backup Davis Beville who had a dreadful performance to say the least (6 of 12 completed passes for 38 yards).
With the return of OU's starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who currently has a total of 1,593 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, the 2023 Red River Showdown may be more closely knit.
Here are the Longhorns Country staff's predictions for the Oklahoma versus Texas matchup on Oct. 7 in Dallas, TX.
Matt Galatzan, Publisher
Texas absolutely dismantled the Sooners in Dallas last season, in what was the biggest blowout in the history of the rivalry. The Horns have only gotten better, and while Oklahoma should have Dillon Gabriel back under center, the talent gap between the two teams will be too much to overcome. Texas wins for the second straight year.
Texas 41, Oklahoma 31
Tori Garcia, Staff Writer
While Oklahoma's defense may have matured since last season, it still will not be up to par with Texas incumbent quarterback Ewers. Darting 21 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns last season against the Sooners as a first-year Longhorn was impressive, but Ewers has been even more dominant so far this year with 1,358 total recorded yards and 10 touchdowns. OU won't know what hit them and will undergo their second straight loss in the Red River Showdown to Texas since 2009.
Texas 38, Oklahoma 21
Casey Smith, Staff Writer
The 49-0 jokes have written themselves for the last year. However, the most lopsided win in the Red River Showdown's 118-game history shouldn't distract people from the fact that Oklahoma has won 10 of the last 14 against Texas. The Longhorns haven't won back-to-back games against the Sooners since 2008-09. Quarterback Quinn Ewers lit up the Oklahoma defense for 289 yards and four touchdowns last year, and he will look to do the same again this season in the Longhorns' quest for their first conference title since 2009. A victory against the team with the second-best odds to win the Big 12 would be a good start.
Texas 36, Oklahoma 33
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer
The Red River Showdown isn’t being canceled after 2023. It’s just switching channels like a television show needing a home. Both teams are looking for a statement win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive as the Big 12’s representative.
Oklahoma’s defense was dreadful in Brent Venables’ first year, but he spent his first full recruiting cycle building up that side to guarantee better results late in games. There’s a maturity to Texas’ roster, especially on offense with Quinn Ewers at the helm. On paper, the Longhorns are better, but they’re 3-7 in their previous 10 matchups and haven’t won back-to-back games since 2009. That changes come Oct. 7 and maybe marks what’s to come in the SEC.
Texas 34, Oklahoma 24