Mike: Odds against the Sooners make for an opportunity
The last time Oklahoma scored a touchdown in the Red River Rivalry was in 2023, when QB Dylan Gabriel’s pass found WR Nick Anderson alone in the back of the endzone in the last minute of the game. The Sooners won 34-30 on their way to a 10-win season.
Oklahoma hasn’t won this game since.
Breaking the drought doesn’t look likely, at least if you pay attention to how the Sooners have stubbed their toes this season with John Mateer’s critical turnovers and an offensive line that is riddled with injuries and inconsistent play.
Vegas makes Texas a 9 1/2 point favorite, although you wonder if the reason the oddsmakers put it that close is because we all know the usual norms of football don’t apply to this game.
There is too much emotion. And the team that best handles that, and manages to not turn the ball over, tends to win it, regardless of predictions or on-paper strengths.
But maybe this game really isn’t different from the norms of football. Bud Wilkinson always said that the key to victory in football rests with three factors: turnovers, field position and the kicking game.