SEEING RED
ALL EYES TURN TO COTTON BOWL FOR OKLAHOMA-TEXAS SHOWDOWN
KEYS FOR TEXAS
Red zone defense: Don’t expect Texas to walk into Dallas and do much to slow down Oklahoma’s vaunted offense, especially with the amount of injuries mounting in the Longhorns’ secondary. Oklahoma is going to move the football and put up big stats. Texas is fine with that as long as the defense can force field goals in the red zone whether than allowing touchdowns.
Run the football: Texas can’t ask its defense to be on the field all game against Oklahoma. The Longhorns need to steal possessions from Oklahoma’s offense by draining the clock and wearing out the Sooners defense with long, methodical drives. This is the game that Texas needs Sam Ehlinger to be a running threat in order to open up opportunities for the running backs.
KEYS FOR OKLAHOMA
Attack the injuries: Texas is depleted in the secondary without starters like Jalen Green and Caden Sterns. LSU torched Texas’ secondary. West Virginia even threw for more than 300 yards against this defense despite four interceptions. The Longhorns simply aren’t DBU right now and Oklahoma’s offense is built to exploit any weaknesses in an opponent’s secondary. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and his talented set of wide receivers should attack Texas’ youth on the backend to create big plays in the passing game and loosen up Texas’ solid run defense.
Slow down Ehlinger: Texas’ real chance to win this game rests on the right arm, legs and heart of quarterback Sam Ehlinger. It’s hard to imagine the Longhorns pulling off the upset without its junior quarterback being the difference maker. Oklahoma’s defense isn’t great, but the Sooners are improved in 2019. The goal is to contain Ehlinger. Yes, the junior is an improved passer, but he’s still most dangerous when he’s allowed to hurt defenses with his legs and arm.
PREDICTION
Oklahoma 38, Texas 31: The Red River Rivalry, or whatever it is called now, is usually a close game. Oklahoma hasn’t covered since 2012 and the Sooners enter this contest as a double-digit favorite over the rival Longhorns. Oklahoma is a national championship contender with another Heisman contender at quarterback, while Texas’ defense isn’t at full strength. Expect Texas to stick around in the game and make it interesting, but the Oklahoma offense is simply too much for this version of Texas’ defense.