You know it, you love it, the Red River Showdown is back. For the newer college football fans, it’s the yearly game between Oklahoma and Texas. No doubt this game will hit different when it becomes an SEC matchup. But for now, we are stuck with both schools being in the Big 12 for the near future. Time for a deeper dive into the matchup.
Texas
Let’s start with the obvious. Bijan Robinson is very good at football. The kid may win the Doak Walker award and he is only in his second year playing college ball. He has already shown he is a complete back and the feature of the Texas offense. Casey Thompson has looked good as a starting QB so far and the matchup is favorable against a porous Sooner defense. The receivers will need to step up if Robinson gets taken away. Keep your eyes on Jordan Whittington who had three catches for 79 yards against TCU. No other Texas pass catcher had more than 30 yards.
The defense struggled against TCU and this is no surprise. We all know the story by now. Big 12 teams don’t have very good defenses. Granted, Texas has looked okay for the most part. Luke Brockermeyer is one name to watch along with Brenden Schooler.
Oklahoma
Let’s start by stating another obvious fact. The way Spencer Rattler is playing right now is not good enough. But does that make him worthy of being benched? Not yet. He is a good player and he is under a microscope right now. The Sooners need to lean on the run game in this game with Kennedy Brooks and Eric Gray. They are hard physical runners that can help wear down the Longhorn front seven. Play actions needs to be a huge factor for Rattler in this game. Keep your eyes on Marvin Mims and Drake Stoops. Stoops (the son of the famous OU coach) had been a contributor in the slot while Mims is your typical air raid outside receiver. Speed kills in the offense.
The defense is just not good at all. Plain and simple. They gave up 35 points to Tulane. Let me say that louder for the people in the back. The Tulane Green Wave got 35 points against Oklahoma and almost won the game. You expect me to believe that the same defense that had that blunder will compete against their arch rival? No way. Everyone on the defense needs to step up in order to at least keep the game competitive. Delarrin Turner-Yell is one player in particular to watch along with Nik Bonitto at the safety and linebacker spots respectively.
Predictions And Hot Takes
The Red River Showdown games as of late have been very fun and entertaining games. They had been competitive to the very end. I think Texas is going to buck that trend with a blowout win. There is not a lot of faith that Bijan Robinson will be contained and once he gets going, that will open up the passing game even more as the focus will shift to stopping him. I feel along with Robinson dominating, Thompson will start dealing a hot hand and that there will be no answers for it. I have Texas winning this game 50-27.
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