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 The Biggest Rivalry in College Football:
Texas v Oklahoma
by Paul Hopkins
8/10/2008
Live on NASN Europe 5pm British time, 6pm Central Time.
Ok, so I used that heading to grab your attention. And you’re probably saying that it isn’t and there are countless other rivalries that merit consideration as the biggest rivalry in the NCAA, and you’d be right. But this weekend, as every weekend in October when Longhorn and Sooner fans descend on the Texas State Fair in Dallas to sample everything super size and deep fried, and cram into the rickety old Cotton Bowl to renew the yearly rivalry between two college football juggernauts.
This year both teams arrive with a top five ranking, undefeated records and after very impressive starts to the season, are eyeing up potential Big XII Championships and the big one the National Championship. This figures to make Saturday’s Red River Shootout the most important for years including the 45-12 beat down Texas handed to the Sooners on its way to the 2005 National Championship (got to get that reference in there to remind everyone!). But why is this such an important rivalry game and would be the case even if both teams were unranked and came in at 0-5?
This game is more than two major college programmes coming to play until a winner emerges who will likely stay in the National Championship hunt, whilst the other has to try and compete for a BSC berth. It is based on the two universities close proximity, which stretches across inter-state borders, which only serves to heighten the rivalry. Throw in some battles over land and the usual stereotyping between the two states, who each believed were superior to the other. From the Texas side also, the fans also take great enjoyment from seeing the number of Texas natives playing for the Sooners.
 The first game was played in the first year of the twentieth century, 1900 and saw Texas win by a score of 28-2. It moved to Dallas in 1912, and then onto the Cotton Bowl in 1929. It has been played at the historic Cotton Bowl in Dallas ever since and despite its location in the heart of Texas at Dallas, it is seen as a neutral venue sitting halfway between Norman, Oklahoma and Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium. Consequently, tickets are allocated right down the line the 50 yard line. One half decked out in burnt orange and the other in the dark red of Oklahoma, giving a real sense of neutrality, despite the ‘home’ status rotating on a yearly basis.
Texas leads the all-time series 57405, with a 45364 edge in Dallas, although Oklahoma has won six of the last eight meetings.
The rivalry has bore witness to some classics, and its fair share of one-sided beatdowns. In 1958, Texas defeated Oklahoma by one point (15-14) and in the process breaking OU’s series dominance of the 1950s. Led by former Sooner QB and (subsequently) Longhorn legend Darrell Royal, this was a watershed moment in college football that ended the dominance Oklahoma had built up over the previous decade.
 In recent years, there has been a fair share of out-sided blowouts. In 2000, the Sooners delivered a 63-14 spanking to the Longhorns on their way to their National Championship victory. A score replicated in 2003 with a 65-14 hammering being dished out. After the 45-12 victory in 2005, Vince Young’s Longhorns sealed the National Championship after defeating the seemingly unbeatable USC Trojans.
However, since then the teams have shared the spoils with a 28-10 victory for Texas in 2006, and a 28-21 victory for the Sooners last season.
Coming into this game, the Sooners are averaging 49 points a game and the Longhorns 47, but neither will get anywhere near that total on Saturday. Both have been beating up very impressively on lesser schools (and in Texas’ case Arkansas). Texas are giving up 11 points a game and Oklahoma just 13.
So let’s break down the teams this year and see where the edge lies.
QB
 In Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy, these two teams are led by young quarterbacks who are amongst the best in passing over the past couple of years.
Bradford, a sophomore, blew himself onto the national stage in his first year, having an outstanding season, but flying somewhat under the radar as the likes of Tebow, Daniel and Reesing took the plaudits. But Bradford is an NFL starter in waiting. He is that good. He has poise, he can make the throws and he looks cool. However, with the offensive line he has the 72% completion rate is probably the minimum expectation. However, 18 touchdowns in comparison to just 3 interceptions indicate the intelligence that Bradford brings to the Sooners game.
 On the other hand, junior McCoy is now the all-time passing leader at Texas, and has rapidly evolved into being as important to the offence as the man he replaced Vince Young. During the latter end of 2007 and so far in 2008, McCoy has also proven to everyone beyond those who study Texas closely, that he can run the ball and make people miss, meaning people have to respect this, thus opening up the field for his receivers. McCoy, arguably seen as the lesser of the two QB’s has outshone Bradford in the early part of this year, with his 79% completion rate (and 16 TD’s and 3 interceptions). But he is the leading rusher for the team, averaging 7 yards a carry.
QB Edge Oklahoma (just)
RB
 In contrast to the Longhorns who are still working with running by committee, the Sooners have a firmly established top running back. Allan Patrick went to the NFL last year and DeMarco Murray has taken on his mantle. Sharing the load with Chris Brown, the Sooners have a tandem who offer a real punch and who complement each other well, combining for 11 TD’s thus far. They will need both of them to match up well against the strong Longhorns rushing defence in order for the Sooners to develop a balanced attack.
 After Jamaal Charles entered the draft, the longhorns have spent the first few weeks looking for that 20-25 carries a game back, and despite Cody Johnson’s 6 TD’s perhaps the only thing they’d found was that Colt McCoy was their best rusher. However, at Colorado on Saturday, Chris Ogbonnaya came good, establishing himself as the starter this Saturday with a strong performance rushing and receiving out of the backfield. Vondrell McGee and Johnson offer a distinct change of pace, and a potential impact player. Because McCoy can run the ball well and offers a real impact, the edge just goes to the Horns.
RB Edge – Texas
WR
 Juaquin Iglesias leads a strong Sooner corps, even after the loss of Malcolm Kelly in the 2008 Draft. Bradford will go to him early and often and out of everyone on the field, he is the game breaker. However, in Manuel Johnson Bradford also has a deep threat on the other side. If the offensive line protects Bradford, then figure these two to have productive days in the Cotton Bowl.
 Quan Crosby and Jordan Shipley lead a solid Texas receiving corps. Shipley in particular has a good bond with his room-mate McCoy, so look out for him being the go-to guy when Texas rolls the dice and pass. You can expect the Sooners to look to negate his influence on the game. After these two, Chris Ogbonnaya out of the backfield presents the biggest threat from Texas. If the Sooners shut the receivers down, the pressure will fall on the running game.
 WR Edge – Oklahoma
TE
Jermaine Gresham might be the best tight end in college football. Even if the young Longhorns secondary manage to cover Iglesias and Johnson, the linebackers will need to be aware to the threat of Gresham. Whether they will actually be able to stop him is another matter.
The loss of Blaine Irby to a dislocated knee against Rice is a blow to Texas. Irby was establishing himself at the tight end position, following on from David Thomas and Jermichael Finley but they still have reasonable depth at tight end. Peter Ullman will likely get the start in his place, and crucially he is a solid blocker. So for Texas’ run game to be established, Ullman may be a important performer.
TE Edge – Oklahoma
O-Line
Oklahoma has simply the best offensive line in football. Anchored at left tackle by Phil Loadholt, with Duke Robinson alongside him the left side is as strong as anything you will see. Throw in centre Jon Cooper and you can see why Bradford looks cool all the time.
Texas’ offensive line is back on the upswing after a year or so of under-performing, being decimated by injuries and losing several members to the NFL. Adam Utaloski played in every position on the line last year but has settled in strongly to the left tackle position. Right guard Cedric Dockery was one of those who suffered injury last season, so in his last Red River Rivalry game, he will be looking to sign off with a strong performance.
OL Edge – Oklahoma
D-Line
The Sooner D-line need to keep McCoy in the pocket, as his ability to make things happen with his feet and his arm can hurt them if they do not. Sophomore Gerald McCoy has the ability to disrupt the Longhorns offensive line and put pressure on his namesake, Colt McCoy.
 Texas is second in the nation in yards allowed against the run, just over 55 yards per game. This may force the Sooners to look to pass the ball that bit more than they would otherwise prefer. Central to this has been Roy Miller emerging from the shadow of Frank Okam, pushing himself to be the player he always threatened to. This puts great emphasis on defensive ends Henry Melton and Brian Orakpo. Melton, a RB convert has become a star under new defensive co-ordinator Will Muschamp’s new system, and Orakpo has first round talent for the NFL. Their battle against the Sooners offensive line in the trenches will be critical. In particular, Orakpo’s speed on the outside edge will need to have a major impact if the Longhorns are to overcome the #1 Sooners.
DL Edge – Texas
 Linebackers
Keenan Clayton, Mike Baloqun and Ryan Reynolds line up behind the D-line for the Sooners and if Texas is to win this game, they need to be able to get to these through the running game. Based on the games thus far this year, this presents them with an excellent chance of controlling the game clock and keeping the chains moving.
In Sergio Kindle, Robert Muckleroy and Rashad Bobino the Longhorns have an experienced trio of linebackers who are stout against the run and excel at blitzing. However, they will need to be alert to the passing game. All three are strong tacklers but will need to be aware of the threat posed by Gresham.
LB Edge all square
Secondary
Both teams have seen significant turnover in the secondary in recent years, and how each copes with their biggest challenge to date may have a big impact on the outcome this Saturday. Against the run Nic Harris is a solid part of the defence, but he can be exposed against the pass. Alongside him at FS Lendy Holmes has a lot of potential, but in his first full year as a starter he has yet to be tested.
At safety Texas’ secondary is full of freshmen, who are talented, but at this point unproven and prone to lapses in concentration. Will Muschamp will have to work hard with both Blake Gideon and Earl Thomas to protect them against the strong Sooners receivers. Fortunately they will have the dependable and experienced Ryan Palmer and Deon Beasley alongside them at corner.
DB Edge – Oklahoma
 Coaching
In Bob Stoops and Mack Brown, Oklahoma and Texas have two coaches who have established programmes regularly at the forefront of the college football rankings.
The knock on Mack was always that he couldn’t win the big one; a knock he shook off when the Longhorns beat USC in January 2006. On the other hand, Stoops has overseen two embarrassing consecutive BCS bowl losses to Boise State and then a West Virginia outfit who had just seen Rich Rodriguez depart. Despite that, both remain amongst the most respected and best coaches in America.
Coaching Edge all square
Keys to the game
 Oklahoma
Offence
Attack Texas secondary
Stick with the run
Defence
Keep McCoy in the pocket
Force Texas to pass
Texas
Offence
Give McCoy time to move his feet
Receivers make plays
Defence
Pressure Bradford
Stop the run
Prediction Oklahoma 27 Texas 24
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