Texas @ Oklahoma preview
Cotton Bowl
Last Meeting ( Oct 17, 2009 ) Oklahoma 13, Texas 16
It’s still Oklahoma-Texas, one of the fiercest rivalries in college football.
Some of the intrigue leading up to the annual showdown between the Sooners and Longhorns in Dallas was lost last week, when UCLA exposed Texas with a head-scratching 34-12 rout in Austin. But there’s still plenty on the line in the 105th edition of the Red River Rivalry.
The winner will gain the upper hand in the Big 12 South and remain a factor in the BCS race. The loser will be left to fight an uphill battle to get back into any kind of title hunt.
The Longhorns (3-1) dropped all the way to 16th in the USA Today Coaches Poll after the stunning loss to UCLA. They will arrive at the Cotton Bowl Saturday with some serious concerns on offense.
Coach Mack Brown’s emphasis on the running game hasn’t produced quality results. Texas managed just 85 yards on the ground against UCLA and turned it over five times. First-year starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert has been inconsistent and has thrown as many interceptions (4) as touchdowns.
Oklahoma (4-0), meanwhile, withstood a fourth-quarter scare from Cincinnati to stay unbeaten. But, except for a Week 2 blowout of Florida State, nothing has been easy for Bob Stoops’ Sooners.
Oklahoma has jumped out to big leads in each of its first four games, but has failed to put away inferior opponents like Utah State, Air Force and Cincinnati. They’ve avoided being upset with an opportunistic defense that has forced 12 turnovers.
Offensively, Oklahoma is loaded with playmakers like running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Ryan Broyles. Murray and Broyles have accounted for 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Landry Jones is completing 64 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Yet, despite all those weapons, the Sooners have struggled to put together game-clinching drives. Oklahoma has been outscored 41-10 in the fourth quarter this season. And that’s against defenses with far less talent than what Texas possesses.
The Longhorns boast the nation’s second-ranked defense. They’re allowing only 227.75 yards and 18 points per game. Seven starters are back from last year’s defense, which held the Sooners to minus-16 yards rushing in a 16-13 win.
Oklahoma led all the way into the fourth quarter of last year’s game before Texas kicked what turned out to be a game-winning field goal with 12 minutes to play. Jones threw two interceptions on the Sooners’ final three drives, sending Oklahoma to its fourth loss in the last five meetings with the Longhorns.
Oklahoma expects starting cornerback Jamell Fleming (ankle) to play. Reserve wide receiver Jaz Reynolds has been suspended indefinitely after posting an insensitive comment on Twitter regarding the recent shooting in Austin.
Injuries to Texas’ running backs have been a big factor to its rushing woes. Tre Newton and Cody Johnson, two of the four Longhorn running backs, are battling injuries. Both are expected to play but may not be at full strength.