Oklahoma @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 11, 2014 ) Texas 26, Oklahoma 31

The Red River Rivalry is starting to get a bit one-sided, and No. 9 Oklahoma smells blood again as it meets Texas on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The undefeated Sooners have won four of the last five meetings — including a 31-26 decision last year — and are heavily favored to defeat the Longhorns, who have been outscored 163-81 in their four losses — all against teams that are either ranked or were when they played — following a 50-7 setback to No. 2 TCU last week.

Oklahoma is coming off a 44-24 victory over then-No. 21 and undefeated West Virginia, and averages 42 points per game — tied for 10th in the nation. If the loss to the Horned Frogs wasn't embarrassing enough, Texas cornerback Kris Boyd apologized for being on Twitter at halftime and retweeting a suggestion he transfer to Texas A&M. The Longhorns are off to their worst start since going 1-9 in 1956, but coach Charlie Strong remains optimistic. ''You have to find leadership and you've got to get them all the buy in,'' Strong told reporters. ''When you're a young team like the youth that we have right now and you don't have any leaders to step up with your older guys, then you're going to have the issues because what's happening now is most of your playmakers are the young guys.''

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Oklahoma -17

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (4-0, 1-0 Big 12): Quarterback Baker Mayfield is second among FBS players in points responsible for per game at 25.5 and has thrown for at least three touchdowns in all four contests. Sophomore running back Samaje Perine (328 yards, two TDs) rushed for 65 against West Virginia and has totaled 78 or fewer in three games this season after amassing 1,713 as a freshman. Senior linebacker Eric Striker was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after equaling career highs in tackles (12) and tackles for loss (three) while forcing a fumble that turned into a touchdown and registering two sacks against West Virginia.

ABOUT TEXAS (1-4, 0-2): The Longhorns used 19 freshmen — including only five redshirts — against TCU and no one is under the microscope more than Jerrod Heard. The redshirt freshman quarterback, who became the starter in Week 2, has completed only 55.3 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions while leading the team in rushing with 318 yards and three TDs. Sophomore running back D’Onta Foreman rushed for a career-high 112 yards against TCU.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Eight players have caught Mayfield's 13 touchdown passes with WR Sterling Shepard and redshirt freshman TE Mark Andrews leading the way with three apiece.

2. Striker has 18 career sacks — the most by a linebacker in Oklahoma history.

3. The Longhorns lead the series 60-44-5, but the Sooners have won 10 of the last 15 meetings.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 45, Texas 20