College Football Betting Preview: Oklahoma vs. Texas

The No. 12-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, 2-0) and No. 3-ranked Texas Longhorns (5-0, 2-0) are set to face off in the Red River Rivalry for the last time in the Big 12 conference on Saturday afternoon (12 p.m. ET, ABC).

When these long-standing rivals played each other last season, the Longhorns crushed the Sooners 49-0. Oklahoma did not have starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who was out with a concussion. However, it didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, as the Sooners’ defense couldn’t stop Quinn Ewers. Ewers shredded Oklahoma’s defense for 289 passing yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. 

Along with Ewers, Bijan Robinson had a big game with 130 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Oklahoma doesn’t have to worry about Robinson anymore. But the Longhorns have another good running back in sophomore Jonathan Brooks, who has been a gamebreaker this season.

Nonetheless, this will be an excellent game as both teams have a good shot of making the College Football Playoff with the trajectories that they are on. The Longhorns are five-point favorites over the Sooners, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

Below we’ll break down this highly anticipated Big 12 matchup and provide bettors with our best bet.

All odds are per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Oklahoma vs. Texas

Spread: Oklahoma +5 (-110); Texas -5 (-110)
Moneyline: Oklahoma +185; Texas -225
Total: Over 60.5 (-110); U 60.5 (-110)

This year’s edition of the Red River Rivalry promises to be one of the best in recent memory, especially with the Sooners and Longhorns being contenders to win the Big 12 conference and hopefully punch their ticket into the CFP.

Heading into Saturday’s game, Oklahoma is still undefeated in conference play after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats and Iowa State Cyclones in consecutive weeks. The Sooners’ defense, which was a major issue last season, has drastically improved this season.

At this time last season, the Sooners were allowing 25.2 points per game. Fast forward to Week 6 of the 2023 season, and Oklahoma has only given up 10.8 points per game (fourth best in the country). Brent Venables’ crew has done an excellent job of stopping the run (106.2 yards per game allowed) and creating turnovers (2.4 per game – seventh in the country). 

Oklahoma’s defense also leads the Big 12 in interceptions with 10, so it will be imperative for them to try and force Ewers into a mistake, which is easier said than done. This season, Ewers only has one interception, which he threw in last week’s game against the Kansas Jayhawks.

If the Sooners can’t get pressure on Ewers, then Oklahoma could be in some trouble. However, we could say a similar statement about the Longhorns’ defense and Gabriel. Texas is ranked third in the Big 12 with 13 sacks, but the Sooners’ offensive line has kept Gabriel’s jersey clean this season (sacked four times).

The redshirt senior has been one of the best QBs in the country this season, completing 75.2% of his passes for 1,593 yards, 15 TDs and 2 INTs. He also has four rushing touchdowns on the year. Gabriel isn’t getting a lot of attention for the Heisman Trophy. If Gabriel can lead Oklahoma to a win over Texas, he’ll see his stock trend upward.

Saturday’s game will be a great matchup as the two Big 12 powerhouses will test their mettle to see who is the best before departing for the SEC next season. The Sooners’ defense will have its hands full with Brooks, who has three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, and the outstanding WR-TE duo of Xavier Worthy/Ja’Tavion Sanders.

However, the Longhorns’ secondary must be prepared for the litany of Sooners’ pass catchers (Jaleel Farooq, Nic Anderson, Andrel Anderson, Drake Stoops). The Longhorns are 6-1 straight up in their last seven games as a favorite, while the Sooners are 4-1 straight up in their past five games against Texas. Therefore, give me the Sooners to cover the spread and potentially win outright.

Best Bet

Oklahoma +5