The Red River Rivalry is one of the greatest spectacles in college sports. It can also be one of the most unpredictable games of the college football season. On rare occasions the heavy underdog wins. Texas enjoyed that distinction in 2013 and 2015, while Oklahoma earned upset wins in 2020 and in the 1990s.
One consistent factor since the Longhorns big upset in 2015 has been that the winning team has one particular player take over the game. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield took over the 2017 game while Sam Ehlinger proved an unstoppable force in 2018. Oklahoma receiver CeeDee Lamb owned the 2019 game, while Bijan Robinson put up highlights of his own in 2022.
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This year, the Longhorns have more star power than the Sooners, but both teams possess enough talent to make this an epic clash after last year’s game. Here’s a look at the 10 most likely candidates to take over the Red River Shootout this season.