The Texas Longhorns are no longer ranked in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in nearly three years following Saturday’s 29-21 loss to the Florida Gators in Gainesville, but that didn’t keep the Longhorns from
opening as 3.5-point favorites over the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday, according to FanDuel.
Oklahoma is undefeated and rising in the polls thanks to an elite defense called by head coach Brent Venables. So why is Texas favored despite not having a win over a Power Four opponent this season? The status of star quarterback John Mateer is perhaps the biggest factor — Venables doesn’t expect Mateer to be available after undergoing surgery on his throwing thumb in late September, although the Washington State transfer was dressed for Saturday’s 44-0 win over Kent State in Norman.
Backup Michael Hawkins Jr. threw for 162 yards and three touchdowns while adding another rushing touchdown against the Golden Flashes, but struggled last year against the Longhorns in the 34-3 loss going 19-of-30 passing for 148 yards while being sacked six times.
Whether or not Mateer can play, Texas enters the game reeling after the disastrous start to conference play, which came on the heels of uninspiring wins over San Jose State and UTEP in Austin last month. But head coach Steve Sarkisian has had success against Venables in the Red River Rivalry with a 2-1 record that includes blowout wins last year and in 2022.
Kick is at 2:30 p.m. Central on ABC.
