Although some reports have stated otherwise, it appears that Texas isn't, in fact, back.
The 2023 version of the Red River Rivalry was expected to be a great game between two undefeated, top-12 teams in the country. Somehow, it even outperformed those expectations.
In a back-and-forth thriller, Oklahoma came back to beat Texas, 34-30, to secure the win over the third-ranked Longhorns and remain undefeated.
After making a field goal to take a 20-17 lead to end the first half, Oklahoma scored on a one-yard touchdown less than five minutes into the second half. Texas then scored the next 13 points, including a 47-yard field goal to take a 30-27 lead with 1:17 remaining in the game.
With the Longhorns deciding to only rush three (and drop eight into coverage) on the Sooners' final drive, Dillon Gabriel and Oklahoma offense picked apart the Texas defense on a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in just 62 seconds. It was a drive that included completions of 11, 16, 28, and three yards.
OKLAHOMA IS BACK IN FRONT pic.twitter.com/Y1IJIjvrJC
— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2023
Former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 31-of-37 passes for 346 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Longhorns in a losing effort.
OKLAHOMA RALLIES TO WIN THE RED RIVER RIVALRY pic.twitter.com/Uo8Xn18B5b
— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2023
After Oklahoma was just 6-7 in Brent Venables' first year in Norman, the Sooners are now 6-0 this season following Saturday's win and will be a top-10 team in the country when the new polls are released Sunday afternoon.
Given that the Big 12 doesn't have divisions and the two best teams in the conference standings make the conference's championship game, this might not be the only team we see Oklahoma and Texas play each other this season. If Saturday's game was any indication, a rematch would be a must-watch game.
