Steve Sarkisian Previews Texas Longhorns Matchup vs. 'Explosive' Oklahoma Sooners

Steve Sarkisian had nothing but nice things to say about the Oklahoma Sooners on Monday morning.

As the Texas Longhorns prepare for the 119th meeting versus the Oklahoma Sooners, which is already shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent years for the Red River Rivalry. 

Both teams enter Saturday's undefeated for the first time since 2011. Additionally, it is the first time that the Longhorns have been ranked inside the top three entering the game since 2009, where it just so happens Texas would leave the Cotton Bowl with a close 16-13 win over the Sooners before playing for a national championship. 

While the last time the Longhorns and Sooners met in Dallas saw the former walk away with a 49-0 win, the largest margin of victory in the rivalry's history, Texas isn't taking their opponent lightly.

“Great deal of respect for OU. Coach Venables has done a tremendous job going into year two," coach Steve Sarkisian said. "The quarterback, [Dillon] Gabriel, is playing at a very high level. They’ve got an explosive unit. He distributes the ball beautifully, whether it’s RPOs, advantage throws, shot plays, things of that nature.”

Through the first weeks of play, Gabriel has completed 75.2 percent of his passes for 1,593 yards with 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions while gaining another 95 yards and four scores with his legs. Gabriel, the former transfer from UCF, didn't play last season against the Longhorns due to an injury. 

In contrast, the Sooners have already matched up with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers after he made his return from his shoulder in last season's Red River Rivalry game and put together one of his best performances in the burnt orange and white. Ewers completed 21 of his 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception en route to the historic blowout victory. 

Dallas, Texas, USA: Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian yells during the annual Red River Showdown against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl / Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY NETWORK

While last year's game will have no bearing on how Saturday's game will unfold, Sarkisian is already aware of the potential extra motivation that the Sooners have.

“I’m sure they’re talking about last year’s game, too," Sarkisian said. We’re going to get an emotional team coming into the Cotton Bowl that we’re going to have to compete against.”

After enduring a tough 6-7 start to Veneables' tenure as the Sooners' coach, they are coming off a 50-20 win over the Iowa State Cyclones in their Big-12 conference game of the season. At the same time, the Longhorns notched a 40-14 win over the formally unbeaten Kansas Jayhawks.

“At the end of the day, this is a great rivalry," Sarkisian said. "I don’t think there’s a whole lot of love lost between the fan bases, between the ex-players and ex-coaches.”