Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Longhorns
One of college football’s greatest rivalries takes center stage this weekend. The infamous Red River Shootout – now known as the Red River Showdown – pits the No. 2 Texas Longhorns against the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.
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Team Records:
Oklahoma: 3-2 SU, 1-3 ATS
Texas: 5-0 SU, 1-4 ATS
Oddsmakers have tagged the Longhorns as 3.5-point favorites. Texas has won three of the past four Red River Shootouts, including last season’s 45-35 win which caused controversy when Oklahoma was given a spot in the BCS title game. During this span, the Longhorns have covered in all four games. Between 2000 and 2004 the Sooners went 5-0 straight up and against the spread.
This year’s matchup has lost some of its luster. The Longhorns are the team to beat in the Big 12 and are 5-0 (1-4 ATS) heading into the weekend. Oklahoma, usually running next to the Longhorns, has lost two games already this season and sits 3-2 (2-3 ATS) with losses to BYU and Miami. However, they would love nothing more than to snuff out their rival’s title hopes.
The biggest reason for the Sooners’ drop-off was the opening-week injury to star quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford. The junior pivot hurt his shoulder in Week 1 and missed the following three games before returning to action last weekend.
Bradford, who has flirted with the option of surgery, suited up against the Baylor Bears, throwing for 389 yards (27-for-49 passing) and one touchdown in a 33-7 win as 27.5-point favorites. Against Texas last season, Bradford passed for 387 yards (28-for-39), five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He showed a little rust against the Bears last week but should benefit from the practice run before taking the field in Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
Bradford’s counterpart, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, is trying to get the ‘Horns a national title shot and also make a run at the Heisman after getting snubbed last season. The senior could be taking snaps in the NFL but decided to return for his final season.
He is fourth in the conference in passing, averaging 282 yards per game. Last week, he led Texas to a 38-14 win over the Colorado Buffaloes, throwing for a relatively-quiet 265 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Against the Sooners last year McCoy threw for 277 yards (28-for-35) and one score.
The difference-maker this Saturday will be which defense breaks first. They rank 1-2 in the conference, with the Longhorns allowing just 23 yards less per game (233) than their rivals. Texas has put the clamp on opposing pass attacks, giving up under 187 passing yards per game. However, the Horns have yet to face an opponent with an offense like the Sooners.
Oklahoma has taken on more competitive foes like the BYU Cougars and Miami Hurricanes. The Sooners have snuffed out the run game, allowing only 54 yards against per game, and are tied with the Longhorns in interceptions (8) and sacks (18). Senior defensive back Brian Jackson, who has three picks on the season, will try to lock up Texas receiver Jordan Shipley, who is second in the Big 12 in receiving (117 yards per game).
On the ground, the Texas rushing attack may have to turn to McCoy once again with numerous injuries in the backfield. Running backs Tre Newton (concussion) and Vondrell McGee (shoulder) were injured in last week’s win over Colorado. Those two have combined for over 90 yards per game and a total of five touchdowns this season, and are listed as day-to-day. The Longhorns may have to turn to Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson for Saturday’s showdown. Johnson is a short-yardage back, rumbling for just under 15 yards per game but has scored five times this year. Whittaker is coming off a knee injury and has been limited.
Oklahoma has a solid rushing tandem in Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray, which has combined for more than 141 rushing yards per game and six touchdowns. But while those two come into the weekend healthy, the line in front of them is missing a major cog. Offensive lineman Brian Simmons is out of action this Saturday after injuring his knee, leaving the OU o-line, which has been questioned since Bradford’s injury, with a huge gap.
The Sooners are hoping to have standout receiver Ryan Broyles on the wing versus UT. The sophomore wideout was hurt against Miami and has not played since due to a fractured shoulder blade. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops told reporters there is a chance Broyles could play depending on his workload in practice. Broyles is seventh in the Big 12 in receiving, catching 23 balls for a total of 346 yards – good for 86.5 yards per game. He’s also reeled in a team-high seven touchdowns, six of which came when freshman Landry Jones was filling in at quarterback.
Saturday’s total is set at 51. Last year’s game played over the 57-point total. The over/under is 6-4 over the last 10 meetings between these schools. Texas comes in with an over/under count of 2-3, while OU has played under the total in all five of their contests.
2 replies on “Bookmaker Gambling Preview: Sooners vs. Longhorns”
I think this is Texas’ year as they have all the tools to compete against a Florida or Alabama for a National Title. Oklahoma has already shown it san be beat and I’m not sure Sam Bradford is back to 100% after the shoulder injury.
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