Oklahoma @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2010 ) Texas 20, Oklahoma 28

THE STORY: As usual, the stakes are high in the Red River Rivalry. Top-ranked Oklahoma will look to stay unbeaten against surging Texas, which opened the season ranked 24th but has climbed all the way to No. 10 after four straight victories. Ten of the last 13 meetings between these Big 12 rivals have been decided by 10 or more points, but the last two meetings have been single-digit affairs. Texas has won three of the last five against the Sooners, who defeated the Longhorns 28-20 in 2010. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is 7-5 all-time against Texas coach Mack Brown. Texas holds the all-time advantage in the series, 58-41-5.


TV: ABC. Line: Oklahoma -10.

ABOUT NO. 1 OKLAHOMA (4-0, 1-0 Big 12): The Sooners have won all four of their games by 10 or more points, including a road win over then-No. 5 Florida State on Sept. 17. Quarterback Landry Jones, a Heisman Trophy candidate, has gotten off to a bit of a slow start, throwing 10 touchdowns against five interceptions. However, the Oklahoma offense continues to put up huge numbers, averaging 42 points and 555 yards, fourth-best in the country. Oklahoma has struggled against Texas on the ground in the last three years, averaging just 52 rushing yards. In 2009, a 16-13 loss, the Sooners were held to minus 16 yards on 22 carries.

ABOUT NO. 10 TEXAS (4-0, 1-0 Big 12): The Longhorns could match their win total from all of last season with a victory over the Sooners. Texas went 5-7 last year and finished last in the former Big 12 South division. Texas has relied on an improved offense and a revamped defense, which has demonstrated success under first-year coordinator Manny Diaz. However, while the Longhorns rank No. 14 in total defense, it’s worth noting that the best offense they’ve faced is UCLA’s 63rd-ranked unit. Texas has gone up against offenses ranked 75th, 103rd and 109th, so this week qualifies as its biggest challenge yet. The Longhorns failed to force even a single turnover in last year’s meeting against the Sooners.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oklahoma hasn’t beaten Texas in consecutive seasons since 2003 and 2004.

2. The Sooners are looking to start 5-0 for the third time in the last four years.

3. With its 37-14 win over Iowa State, Texas improved to 12-2 in Big 12 openers under Brown.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 38, Texas 21 – The Sooners are too good on both sides of the ball for Texas to keep pace, and Jones is poised for a huge game on a big stage.