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Tag: Texas OU

TEXAS-OU Preview

Written by Cody Daniels on . Posted in UT FOOTBALL.

Once again, the Red River Showdown is set to make for some can’t-miss football.  

This largely remains true each season, even as Texas wandered through the college football wilderness throughout much of the last decade. But what was once last has since been found — that much was beginning to become apparent last season, and the result was Texas taking home the Golden Hat following a 48-45 instant classic win over Oklahoma. 

Now that Texas has returned to the national stage, which the Sooners have never left,  it would be safe to expect much of the same this time around. 

On pace to meet with each program ranked among the top-15 for the first time since 2012, Texas and Oklahoma each boast high-octane offenses orchestrated by Heisman-caliber quarterbacks in Sam Ehlinger and Jalen Hurts. While the matter is purely one of opinion, one could argue that, for the first time since the Colt McCoy era, it’s the Longhorns who feature the more elite field general, though Ehlinger and Hurts each fit the description. 

To that end, going hand-in-hand with their elite talent behind center is a bevy of tremendous options at wideout. 

Oklahoma’s pass-catching corps is arguably the better of the two units, featuring a future NFL talent in CeeDee Lamb, sophomore Charleston Rambo, and Jadon Haselwood, the top-ranked wide receiver prospect in the 2019 class. But Texas, too, features much of the same in terms of skill and upside. Senior Collin Johnson, also a first-round NFL-caliber talent, leads the Longhorns in that regard, while speedy senior Devin Duvernay is enjoying a breakout season in the slot where Lil’Jordan Humphrey was last season. The notable addition to that bunch is sophomore Brennan Eagles, who’s emerged as a big-play threat on the outside. 

Beyond that, the offenses are rather different in regards to the offensive line and running back positions. After replacing four of five starters, the Sooners front five has looked the part early, but it is still early. Texas’ starting line, on the other hand, is expected to prove to be the most formidable the program has enjoyed in some time, led by left tackle Samuel Cosmi and center Zach Shackelford. Meanwhile, Oklahoma boasts a three-headed monster at running back in Trey Sermon, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Kennedy Brooks, while Texas is simply searching for health and quality depth after injuries forced the Horns to move two true freshmen — quarterback Roschon Johnson and linebacker David Gbenda — to the position at the front end of the season. 

This collection of talent considered — some proven and some still proving itself — much like last season’s showdown, which produced 93 total points between the two teams, it’s safe to expect some offensive fireworks at the Texas State Fair. 

That’s, of course, less than ideal news for the two defenses.

Unlike the offenses they’ll be tasked with at least attempted to limit — Oklahoma nor Texas will be stopped entirely — the defenses aren’t exactly among the nation’s upper echelon. 

Last season, the Sooners were among the worst in the entire country defensively, and actually ranked dead last (130th) in passing defense, but first-year coordinator Alex Grinch returns all five starters in the secondary and eight overall, including linebacker and Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Kenneth Murray. 

Thus far, the early returns have been encouraging and indicate that Oklahoma’s defense will prove to be an improved bunch this season. 

Texas, on the other hand, lost eight of its starters after last season, and that inexperience has been evident throughout the early portion of the season, especially in the secondary, though the Horns do feature a tremendously talented tandem at safety in senior Brandon Jones and sophomore Caden Sterns. 

Both the Longhorns and Sooners do present a bit of experience at key positions and no shortage of sheer talent, whether raw or otherwise, but these two units are quite simply going to be overmatched on Oct. 12. 

If the season plays out as projected, what takes place in Dallas in mid-October may very well see the winner solidify itself as the team to beat in the Big 12. Of course, the Longhorns outlasted the Sooners last season before the two met again in Arlington, that time with a conference championship at stake, and Oklahoma got the upper hand the second time around. 

But that doesn’t mean that Texas and Oklahoma won’t each approach this year’s Red River Showdown as an absolute must-win. Along with bragging rights and the Golden Hat, pole position in the Big 12 will be at stake, and quite likely, only the winner’s College Football Playoff hopes will remain alive by that evening.  

TEXAS vs.OU

Written by Steven Ryan on . Posted in TEXAS SPORTS, UT FOOTBALL.

The Red River Rivalry captivated the nation last year with two classic games that helped shape the College Football Playoff picture. No American sport holds its rivalries in higher esteem than college football, but the attention given to each rivalry ebbs and flows with the success of the teams involved.

Miami/Florida St. and Florida/Tennessee are two rivalries that were a major deal in the 90s and early 2000s but nowadays don’t generate many headlines outside their regions. Texas/OU went through a similar lull as the Longhorns suffered through “The Lost Decade” from 2009-17.

But with Texas coming off its biggest bowl win since 2007, and Oklahoma riding high with four straight conference titles, the high stakes are back on. The Red River Rivalry is big-time once again, just as it’s supposed to be.

Texas holds the upper hand in the overall series 62-47-5 much thanks to a commanding lead it built up in the early years. The Longhorns captured 29 of the first 43 match-ups, with two of those non-wins being ties.

Oklahoma then dominated much of the 1950s with nine wins in ten tries from 1948-57 and three national championships under Hall of Fame coach Bud Wilkinson. But Texas retook control with its own legendary coach in Darrell Royal, who led the Longhorns to 12 victories in 13 years from 1958-70, including three national titles of his own.

Since then, the rivalry has been more a back-and-forth affair. Last year’s chapter was especially noteworthy as it was the first time the two neighbors had played twice in the same season since 1903, and neither game was short on drama.
In the traditional regular season game at the Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma overcame a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to tie the game in the final minutes. But Texas, seemingly unfazed, marched right back down the field and got a last-second field goal from Cameron Dicker to win.

Two months later, they met in the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time. With OU playing for a spot in the College Football Playoff, the Sooners prevailed in a 39-27 win that was much closer than the final score would indicate.

Going into this year, tensions are high. Both teams look to be national title contenders and former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield even called out current Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger during the off-season.

“He couldn’t beat Lake Travis (Mayfield’s high school alma-mater), so I don’t really care (about) his opinion on winning,” Mayfield said. “Westlake (Ehlinger’s high school alma-mater) is a great program, but the two best quarterbacks to come out of there are Drew Brees and Nick Foles. Sam can stay down there in Texas.”

“That will stir the pot. He doesn’t like me, and I hope he knows I don’t like him either.”

Ehlinger has yet to retort publicly and probably won’t, but everyone knows he’s not one to back down from a challenge. He’s got the same swag and confidence Mayfield has, along with a deep love for his university that was instilled in him as a child.

“I will make it my mission to never let this team or this school feel this disappointment again,” Ehlinger said after the Big 12 Championship Game loss.

If both teams can take care of business with the early parts of their schedules, all eyes will again be on Dallas when the two rivals hook up for the 115th edition of the series on Oct. 12.

Like always, the Cotton Bowl crowd will be split at the fifty-yard-line, half crimson, half burnt orange. It’ll be a sight to behold. If you’re a Texas or OU fan, it’s a game you have to go to at least once, and there might not be a better year to attend than 2019.

RED RIVER II Big 12 Title Game

Written by Russell Dowden on . Posted in Football, TEXAS SPORTS.

Not since 1903 — and the third time ever will the Longhorns and Sooners play for a second time in a single season, but this time for the Big 12 Championship.

In a series that began in 1900 these two Rivals will go head to head once more with the conference on the line. A Texas defeat of Kansas in Lawrence last Friday clinched the first appearance in the Big 12 Championship game since 2009 for the Longhorns. Then  Friday night, Oklahoma edged out WV in an all out thriller in Morgantown 59-56 Sooners.

The Cotton Bowl rematch  in Arlington  is set for December 1st this Saturday at AT&T Stadium.The Longhorns narrowly escaped the Sooners back in October at the Red River Showdown this season, in a 48-45 thriller over OU.

The Sooners have been red hot since the loss to Texas and have won every game since.

Texas has seen some offensive woes in recent weeks and QB Sam Ehlinger has gone down in two games due to a shoulder injury. Which Texas team will show up for coach Tom Herman at this Big 12 title match? The team who struggled against Kansas and Baylor, or the team that put up 41 against West Virginia and 48 against the Sooners?

The stakes are high with implications of a potential playoff. Then there is the New Years Six bowl placement, and don’t forget bragging rights in this rivalry. And while I am rooting for my Longhorns to win this game, I also know it will be tough against a high flying Kyler Murry lead offense, however Texas also has the receiver core in Lil Jordan Humphrey and Collin Johnson. With the arm and legs of Sam Ehlinger and a Texas secondary that is lead by Kris Boyd and Caden Sterns the Horns need only stay within a score to catch the Sooners. In fact I’ll bet that the last team with the ball will win.”

The Arlington kick off at is at 11 a.m. Central on ABC.