The (#12) Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) will face the (#3) Texas Longhorns (5-0) in the “Red River Rivalry” on Saturday. Oklahoma clobbered the Iowa State Cyclones 50-20 in last week’s victory. The Sooners offense remained white-hot, posting 523 yards of offense and 30 first downs in the win. Meanwhile, Texas bested Kansas 40-14 last Saturday. The Longhorns ran for 336 yards on 50 carries.
(#12) Oklahoma Sooners vs. (#3) Texas Longhorns Odds and Match Details
Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
Oklahoma | +6.5
-105 |
O60.5
-110 |
+215 |
Texas | -6.5
-115 |
U60.5
-110 |
-260 |
** Odds Subject to Change** |
Fixture: Oklahoma vs. Texas (Neutral Site)
Date and Time: October 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. EST
Location: Cotton Bowl (Dallas, TX)
Field Surface: Natural Grass
Weather: Partially Cloudy, 65 degrees
Key Stats
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma scores a conference-best 47 points per game. Quarterback Dillion Gabriel has been unworldly, throwing for 1,593 yards and 15 touchdowns against two picks over his team’s first five games. The former UCF Knight is completing 75% of his passes. He is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season. However, the run game has yet to catch up in 2023. The Sooners average just 4.0 yards per rush attempt. OU is the only team in the Big 12 in the top three in yards per game and yards per play, averaging less than a turnover per game.
Oklahoma also leads the Big 12 in fewest points allowed at 10.8. Opposing passers have struggled against OU, completing just 55% of their passes. Runners have also had trouble finding open lanes, averaging just 3.1 yards per attempt. The OU defense leads the Big 12 in turnovers forced per game and yards allowed per game.
Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns are among four teams in the Big 12 to score more than 35 points per game (36). Quarterback Quinn Ewers has been fantastic throwing the ball this season, throwing for 1,358 yards and ten scores against one pick while completing 66% of his passes. The rushing attack is equally impressive, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt. Texas is in the top half of the conference in yards per game and yards per play while trailing just Houston for the fewest turnovers committed.
Texas has been fantastic on defense in 2023. They trail just Oklahoma for the fewest points allowed per game (12.8). The secondary has been amazing, holding opposing passers to under a 55% completion percentage and 200 passing yards per game. The front seven is also elite, keeping opponents to just 3.1 yards per rush attempt. The Longhorns are the only team holding opponents to under 300 yards per game in the conference. They also do an excellent job of forcing turnovers.
Game Prediction
I like the Oklahoma Sooners to cover in this rivalry contest in a true clash of title contenders. It’s tough to side with either team in this one, so the logical thing is to take the points with the Sooners. Both offenses are magnificent, albeit Texas has a better rushing attack than OU. However, both defenses have been elite this season, leaving little room for either offense to make mistakes. So, let’s roll with Oklahoma in a tilt between two highly talented squads.
Final Pick
Sooners +6.5 (-105)