The 116th rendition of the OU-Texas rivalry is here.
Oklahoma and Texas will meet at 11 a.m. CT inside the Cotton Bowl for its annual matchup. There won’t be the atmosphere everyone is typically used to, but the game is still on. The intensity and passion of the game itself won’t be lost.
The Sooners are led by Spencer Rattler who will be making his first-start in this rivalry. His counterpart is dang near the opposite as Sam Ehlinger is making his fifth-start in the game.
Both defenses are sputtering heading into OU-Texas. That’s not anything anyone isn’t accustomed to at this point.
QUARTERBACK
Kegan Reneau: The reality is that experience does matter in this game despite the atmosphere. There is a certain intensity. Sam Ehlinger knows the intensity and the physicality that comes with it. Spencer Rattler is facing tough odds in how first-year quarterbacks perform in this game. However, I do think he’s the better of the two quarterbacks.
Edge: Sam Ehlinger
Patrick Conn: In any game the first place you look is at the quarterback position. Sam Ehlinger the senior and Spencer Rattler the young gun. Right now Ehlinger is the better quarterback. Before you roll your eyes, here is why. He has the experience and he has proven that he can be a weapon with his arms and his legs. Rattler is the better pure passer and once he starts using his legs more, he will be a weapon for the Oklahoma offense.
Edge: Sam Ehlinger
RUNNING GAME
KR: Oklahoma is in an interesting place offensively as the offensive line play hasn’t been up to snuff in 2020. There really isn’t much to point to for that. Texas hasn’t been great, but has been better here. They will face a stiff test from Oklahoma’s front, however.
Edge: Oklahoma
PC: If you were to ask me this question in a normal year, it would be Oklahoma clearly. Kennedy Brooks was one of the top running backs in all of college football. However, with everything that has transpired things have changed on that front. The Sooners have a nice one-two punch with Seth McGowan and T.J. Pledger. The Longhorns counter with Keaontay Ingram and Roschon Johnson, plus they can mix in Bijan Robinson. Again I will lean towards to the experienced group.
Edge: Texas
PASSING GAME
KR: Oklahoma has had another weird problem here in that the explosive passing plays haven’t been there to start 2020. Texas at least have. If this becomes a game where the offenses have to work underneath, that plays into Oklahoma’s hands. I don’t see that happening, though, and Yurcich has been able to get more action attacking vertically.
Edge: Texas
PC: Looking at the passing game it is so much more than just quarterback. It also falls on the receivers, tight ends and the running backs. Lincoln Riley’s offense is built so much on the passing game and mix in the run. While the Longhorns aim for a more balanced attack. While each team has their top guy, it feels like the Sooners have more weapons in the passing game.
Edge: Oklahoma
OFFENSIVE LINE
KR: People who read me are not going to be shocked by my answer. I haven’t thought much about this Texas offensive line since a year ago. Sure, some new players enter, but I’m still not sold. Oklahoma is playing worse individually as Texas is as a whole. You’ll find more problems with the Longhorns’ offensive line at each position across the board.
Edge: Oklahoma
PC: For a passing game to be effective, you need to have good protection up front. Both teams take pride in their big guys up front. Samuel Cosmi of Texas and Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma lead their groups. Also slated to be first round picks in the upcoming draft. It comes down to the fact that the Sooners have allowed more pressure that sways the vote. Texas is just slightly better with keeping their quarterback upright.
Edge: Texas
RUN DEFENSE
I truly, truly believe Oklahoma’s problems are nowhere near the front six players. This group has been much better and a lot better than what is being perceived. TCU was able to find some lanes in the Texas’ front to run in. That’s not a good sign with how poor that offensive line has been.
Edge: Oklahoma
Another close category here between the Sooners and Longhorns. Both defenses have had their issues with stopping the run. The Sooners struggled last week with Breece Hall while Texas had no answer for Max Duggan. Texas gives up more yards per game and more yards per rush than Oklahoma. So going with the team north of the Red River here.
Edge: Oklahoma
PASS DEFENSE
Like I mentioned above, I love Oklahoma’s front. This is a group that has pressured the quarterback over 20 times in the first two conference games. Texas does have the better edge rusher in Joseph Ossai, but I like what Alex Grinch is going to do for his defensive line in games like these to generate that pressure.
Edge: Oklahoma
Both defenses for the Sooners and Longhorns are led by one player. For Oklahoma it is Nik Bonitto without Ronnie Perkins back from suspension, for now. On the other side it is Joseph Ossai. Outside of him Texas just doesn’t get much production. Oklahoma gets a bit more from their role players. Another one in favor of the Sooners.
Edge: Oklahoma
SECONDARY
I’m very interested to see if Oklahoma’s defense can bounce back. Recency bias says they do based off of 2019, but the first two games haven’t seen that defense show up yet. Texas, overall, has more talent. Regardless of how goos it is playing.
Edge: Oklahoma
Neither defense that will be featured in this game have exactly been world beaters in college football. Both have had their fair share of issues in defending the pass. However, the Longhorns have done a little better job in creating opportunities for their offense. Give this one to the burnt orange.
Edge: Texas
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