After a disappointing loss against Florida, the now-unranked Texas Longhorns head to Dallas for the annual Red River Rivalry against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners. With an undefeated record, Oklahoma is coming off of a 44-0 thrashing of Kent State to face off against a Texas team that is reeling after being outplayed by Florida.
The recipe for the Sooners’ undefeated start is a revamped offense coupled with a suffocating defense. In his fourth year, head coach Brent Venables seems to have finally delivered
on the defensive end while first-year offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has brought starting quarterback John Mateer and an exciting new scheme to Norman.
Arbuckle has shot through the coaching ranks in route to previously being the youngest Power Five coordinator in college football while at Washington State. Arbuckle understands the intensity of the Red River Rivalry having grown up less than 30 miles from Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium before moving to the Panhandle and spending much of his early coaching years in and around the Lone Star State.
His offense is averaging 33.5 points per game, a much-needed improvement from a year ago. And while questions still remain about the run game, the Oklahoma defense is playing at a level that gives the Sooners a chance to win every ball game while figuring out issues in the meantime.
“A fantastic defensive team. Coach Venables has his handprint all over this defense. They’re very active up front, very athletic, [use a] multitude of pressures, multitude of coverages. You can go down the line about how great they’re playing on defense right now,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said on Monday.
Thus far, Oklahoma has been tested against two ranked opponents and steamrolled in three contests against inferior competition. The latter three games resulted in a net score of 121-6 against the likes of Illinois State, Temple, and Kent State. The Sooners took care of business and did it handily.
The first of the two tests took place in Week Two against No. 15 Michigan. The defense of the then-ranked No.18 Sooners shined, holding the Wolverines offense to 288 yards and zero points in three of the four quarters despite the offense conceding two turnovers.
Two weeks later in the SEC opener against then-No.22 Auburn, Oklahoma scored with 4:54 left in the fourth quarter to take the lead and secured a safety in the final minute to shut the door on any late-game Auburn heroics. While the victory was ugly, the game demonstrated the toughness that Venables lives for and the talent of his defense.
Former Sooner-turned-War Eagle quarterback Jackson Arnold was sacked nine times on the day. The Oklahoma defense also allowed just 1.9 yards per carry — a strong enough effort to overcome the Sooners offense rushing for just 32 yards and going 3-of-12 on third downs.
The two matchups against ranked opponents have revealed a clear early-season formula for success: a relentless defense that smothers opposing offenses, allowing the passing game to do just enough to win despite ongoing struggles on the ground.
This formula will be stretched to the limit against Texas after Mateer underwent thumb surgery on his throwing hand two weeks ago. With the Sooners posturing that he will likely play, reality would suggest Mateer even appearing will come with unknown success, possibly forcing sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. back into action. Hawkins is more capable than your average second-string quarterback and started four games, including last year’s Red River Rivalry, but is a distinctly different caliber than Mateer.
“Mateer’s a dynamic player. He’s the heartbeat of that offense, for sure. Everything goes through him,” Sarkisian said.
As the Sooners and Longhorns head into Dallas looking to don the Golden Hat, the momentum is clearly sided with Oklahoma. An undefeated record and one of the best defenses in the country are good reason for Sooner faithful to be confident; however, the injury to Mateer coupled with a poor ground game are reason for concern. Not to mention, the talent of the Longhorns remains on par with the Sooners. And, if history has taught us anything, this game is up for grabs every single year.
Offense
As mentioned, Oklahoma is in its first year under Arbuckle. A young mind with a history of molding talented quarterbacks, Arbuckle’s offensive philosophy comes from the Air Raid. He runs a quick-tempo scheme that stretches a defense to isolate mismatches. Expect run-pass options, 11 personnel, and a passing game that puts stress on the Texas secondary. The quarterback run is another key part of the game plan for the Sooners.
The quarterback in any system, but particularly Arbuckle’s version of the Air Raid, is the most important decision maker on the field. Responsible for pre-snap decision-making to key the quick passing game, the signal caller also needs to be able to drive the ball downfield. Throughout the season, former Washington State quarterback John Mateer has been that guy.
In four games of action, Mateer has completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns against three interceptions. He’s attempted 34 or more passes in each of the four games he’s appeared in. Mateer has also added 190 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, including a 51-yard scamper against Temple.
At 6’1, 224 pounds, Mateer possesses a strong arm that can make throws in the vertical passing game and the right combination of size and elusiveness that makes him a true dual threat in the run game.
As the game inches closer, the confidence that Mateer plays has grown. Despite having surgery two weeks ago, indications hint that he will be able to suit up against the Longhorns. With that being said, suiting up and playing at an elite level are two very different things and the likelihood Texas sees Hawkins at some point is high.
Getting the start last week, Hawkins demonstrated the potential that excites Sooner faithful, as well as the work that still needs to be done before he is ready to fully lead the offense. Hawkins can drop off in accuracy as a result of poor footwork and a sidearm delivery that produces errant throws. He finished the game against Kent State completing three of his last nine throws after starting 11-of-15. The upside is there, the consistency is not.
Like Mateer, Hawkins is a true dual threat with the speed and elusiveness to extend drives. His legs will undoubtedly be a factor if he sees the field in Dallas.
Oklahoma ranks 97th in the country in rushing yards per game while an average carry of 3.79 yards ranks 104th. Perhaps the clearest sign of the struggling run game came against Kent State, when Oklahoma kept its top two running backs on the field late into the fourth quarter despite leading 44-0.
The rushing attack struggling is not due to a lack of talent at the running back position. Freshman Tory Blaylock has stolen the starting job from highly-touted transfer Jadyn Ott, an explosive back who averaged over 1,100 rushing yards and 25 receptions in his first two years at Cal before an injury derailed most of his junior year. Ott has hardly seen the field, receiving nine total carries in the first four games.
He saw no carries against Auburn despite Blaylock running the ball 11 times for 13 yards. Against Kent State, Ott received 11 carries, a sizable increase and a possible indication that he’s regained the coaching staff’s trust or that they’re simply willing to try something new.
While Ott’s absence is puzzling, the performance of Blaylock in key games only raises more questions. Against Michigan, he averaged 2.7 yards per carry on nine attempts with a long rush of six yards, hardly enough to get the job done. And while he’s shined against lesser competition, it’s just that: lesser competition.
Against Texas, expect Blaylock to receive a majority of the snaps and carries with Ott’s role likely increasing but still minimal.
To supplement the ground game, Arbuckle likes to use the quarterback run game, Mateer and Hawkins rank second and fourth on the team in rush yards.
The pass catching is almost solely handled by the top three wide receivers and tight end. Each of these players has performed well, with all four eclipsing 200 yards receiving, despite only one player suiting up as a Sooner a year ago.
Leading the wide out group in receptions (26), yards (359), and touchdowns (three) is Arkansas transfer Isaiah Sategna III. Not far behind is Purdue transfer Deion Burks, a 5’9 speedster who has caught 25 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns while Southern Illinois transfer Keontez Lewis has hauled in 17 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns.
The Oklahoma wideouts are fast and creative. Arbuckle does an excellent job of creating favorable matchups and allowing these guys to handle the rest.
While listed as a tight end, senior Jaren Kanak has shined while splitting out wide. At 6’2, 233 pounds, Kanak spent his first three season as a linebacker before transitioning to tight end this offseason, a decision that has paid dividends for Oklahoma. A matchup nightmare, he can run like a wideout with the size to body smaller defensive backs. He’s caught 20 passes for 328 yards on the year.
An interesting note is the lack of production beyond the three starting wideouts and Kanak, Between those four players, they are responsible for 79.3 percent of all completed passes. Blaylock’s five catches out of the backfield are the next highest on the team.
The bulk of the struggles in the ground attack can be attributed to the Sooner offensive line, which has a variety of new faces and has been forced to use a couple different rotations due to injury. Freshman Michael Fasusi has established himself as the starter at left tackle after arriving in Norman as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2025 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, while Stanford transfer Jake Maikkula won the starting job at center. At right tackle, Western Carolina transfer Derek Simmons brings a wealth of experience. Now in his sixth year of college football, Simmons was a star last season as a Catamount, allowing zero sacks in 417 pass blocking snaps.
On paper, the fellas up front should be pushing people. Whether because of injury or simply struggling to gel, this unit has not been able to consistently create running lanes. The offensive line recorded an abysmal 41.7 run-blocking grade against Auburn, according to Pro Football Focus.
Coming off a true bye week and a cakewalk win against Kent State, the line should be as healthy as it has been for the Sooners. Just behind the play of Mateer and/or Hawkins, the performance of this group against Texas will have the biggest impact on the offensive success or struggles for Oklahoma.
Defense
Leading the country in yards per game allowed, tied for first in sacks per game, and second in points per game, this unit has suffocated opposing offenses. The Sooners surrender just 8.3 points per game and are talented at every level. The two biggest weaknesses are an inability to create turnovers and being susceptible to explosive plays. If Texas is able to score points, it will require preying on these two aspects.
Up front, defensive tackles Damonic Williams and Jayden Jackson are two of the most active interior linemen in the SEC. Both sat out for precautionary reasons against Kent State and are expected to perform in full force against Texas. Jackson had his best game against Auburn, recording 2.5 sacks and earning Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors.
Williams and Jackson have the potential to be the best two interior lineman that Texas faces this season, and yet the talent drop off is negligible behind them. Last week against Kent State sophomore David Stone graded at 78.1 by PFF, while senior Gracen Halton recorded a grade of 81.9.
The Sooner interior defensive line is big, strong, and disruptive. The group has top end talent and depth, a deadly combination.
On the edge, senior R Mason Thomas has built on a nine-sack season a year ago and redshirt sophomore Taylor Wein has burst onto the scene in his first season seeing extended playing time.
Thomas has three sacks and a forced fumble on the year. Against Kent State, he graded at 94.3, an elite performance. His first step puts opposing tackles into undesirable positions that allow him to capitalize while rushing the quarterback. Make no mistake — Thomas is an NFL-level talent.
On the other side, Wein has been a pleasant surprise. Leading the team with 3.5 sacks, Wein beat out Florida State transfer Marvin Jones Jr. and former five-star Adepoju Adebawore for the starting job and hasn’t looked back.
“At the end of the day, the ball is having to come out so quickly, because they’re defeating the run, and they’re getting to the quarterback. I think they’re playing fast, they’re playing confident, playing physical. That’s what good defenses do,” Sarkisian said.
The linebacker unit for Oklahoma is a well-rounded group featuring junior Kip Lewis, junior Sammy Omosigho, senior Kobie McKinzie, and junior Owen Heinecke. Lewis and Omosigho came into the season as two linebackers with the potential to rank among the best in the country. Each recognized on the Butkus Award Watch List, Lewis and Omosigho have combined for 46 tackles, two sacks, and four passes defended.
Heinecke has had an untraditional route to becoming a staple of the defense, committing to play lacrosse at Ohio State before transferring to accept a preferred walk on spot on the football team at Oklahoma. He’s fourth on the team in tackles and has a sack to his name as well.
In the secondary, safeties Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings are two players to watch. Spears-Jennings mans the free safety spot and was excellent a year ago. His tape shows a tone setter on the back end who possesses solid athleticism with a willingness to throw his hat in the ring in run support, even from his safety spot.
Bowen is a former five-star recruit who has battled some injuries throughout his career and this season. Taking over for Billy Bowman, Bowen has flashed with 14 tackles and two passes defended.
At corner, Oklahoma has welcomed the return of senior Gentry Williams, a 10-game starter in 2023 before a season-ending injury cut his 2024 campaign short. True freshman Courtland Guillory is another corner who will see ample playing time. Guillory has impressed at times and struggled in other moments. Against Auburn, he was targeted repeatedly and conceded three catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.
The secondary for Oklahoma has been susceptible to the big play as a unit. The Sooners have allowed three pass plays of 30-plus yards, tied for 51st in the nation, and that number could easily be higher with better accuracy from Arnold.
Overall, Oklahoma’s defense thrives on disruption. The front is powerful and deep, consistently collapsing pockets and stifling the run, while the linebackers fly downhill to finish plays. But the unit’s aggression leaves openings as a lack of turnovers and vulnerability to deep shots remain its biggest flaws. If Texas can hold up in protection and exploit those cracks, obviously easier said than done, points will follow.
Special teams
Kicker Tate Sandell is a weapon for the Sooners. Perfect on extra points, Sandell has converted nine-of-ten field goal opportunities including two 50+ yarders. Similarly, punter Grayson Miller is superb, a weapon in the battle for field position. Miller is 2nd in the country with an average of 49.8 yards per punt.
Handling punt returns is Sategna. He boasts an average of 11.7 yards per punt which ranks in the top-25 nationally, including a 43-yard return. Ott and Bowen have handled kickoff returns, albeit with limited opportunities given the defense.
All in all, Oklahoma comes into Dallas with a confident group that has the talent and tape to back it up. The defensive side of the ball sets the tone for the Sooners. With one of the most talented front sevens in the nation, this group can get after the quarterback and smother the run.
The biggest storyline heading into this contest will be the health of Mateer. The OU offense goes as the quarterback does and is significantly more dangerous with a healthy Mateer than Hawkins.
The path to victory for Texas requires stopping the Oklahoma offense, a much less daunting task than scoring against the Sooner defense especially with a potential backup at quarterback. Regardless, Oklahoma is healthier than at any point this season and will be a huge test for the Longhorns.
