A Texas team that has been mostly disappointing this season takes on No. 6 Oklahoma in the 120th meeting of the Red River Rivalry.
The Longhorns are coming off a tough loss at a Florida team that came into that game 1-3, while Oklahoma is dealing with quarterback issues. Starter John Mateer was just upgraded from questionable to probable, with Michael Hawkins Jr. likely to take the reins if he can’t go.
Texas opened as a 2 1/2 favorite, presumably because of Mateer’s status, dropped to 1 1/2, then flipped to OU by 1 after Mateer was upgraded to probable.
What channel is Texas vs. No. 6 Oklahoma on?
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Red River Rivalry: Texas Longhorns football vs Oklahoma Sooners
Is Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer going to play?
Oklahoma QB1, John Mateer, had hand surgery on Sept. 24, at which time he was the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. He injured it in the first quarter of a win against Auburn on Sept. 20, stayed in the game and finished 24-of-36 passing for 271 yards.
He is optimistic that he’ll play against Texas, while coach Brent Venables says the Sooners are prepared to go with backup Michael Hawkins Jr., who led the victory last week against Kent State. OU was the week before that, Sept. 27.
The SEC now requires injury reports and Mateer was listed as questionable Wednesday before upgrading to probable Thursday. The final injury report is due 90 minutes before the 1:30 MT kickoff Saturday, but at this point, he should play.
Red River Rivalry betting odds
Texas Longhorns vs No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners football predictions, picks
Covers.com: Bet Texas giving points and bet the over
Phil Naessens writes: “Offensively, Arch Manning has matured into a steady playmaker with 16 total touchdowns, and his growing chemistry with Ryan Wingo and Parker Livingstone gives Texas enough explosiveness to beat Oklahoma.
“I’m expecting the Longhorns’ defense to shine, and Manning and the offense to get back on track vs. OU.”
Pro Football Network: Oklahoma to win
It writes: “Oklahoma will make this game slow and flex its strength on defense. They will bait Texas into mistakes, and Oklahoma will kick their rival while they are down.”
ESPN: Texas has a 60.9% chance to defeat Oklahoma on Saturday
The site gives the Sooners a 39.1% shot at winning the college football Week 7 game over the Longhorns on Oct. 11.
Bookies.com: Bet Oklahoma with the points vs Texas
Bill Speros writes: “The annual Red River Showdown/Rivalry/Shootout just means more this year as both Texas and Oklahoma find themselves among the top teams in the SEC. The Longhorns limp into the Cotton Bowl after getting chewed up by the Gators in The Swamp. Oklahoma, meanwhile, spanked Kent State 44-0 in its final non-conference game of the season in Week 6. Florida provided the blue (and orange) print to stop Arch Manning – make him throw the ball.”
Dimers.com: Texas 24, Oklahoma 21
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives Oklahoma a win probability of 39%, while Texas has a win probability of 61%.”
Sporting News: Texas 20, Oklahoma 19
Bill Bender writes: “The Arch Manning bandwagon has lost followers. Texas has two losses heading into the Red River Rivalry, and the Sooners are riding high with a defense that allows just 193 yards per game. Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. had three TD passes against Kent State in place of injured John Mateer last week. Everything points toward an Oklahoma victory, but this might be the time to buy back in on the Longhorns. Manning will lead a late field-goal drive in the clutch, and Texas stays alive in the SEC race.”
Texas Longhorns football schedule 2025
Home games bold
Games Saturday unless noted. All times Mountain
^ SEC game
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: What channel is Oklahoma vs Texas Longhorns football game on today? How to watch, time
Reporting by Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
