No. 1 Texas Longhorns Week 6 Preview: No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners

Old rivals writing new stories -- this first SEC Red River Showdown between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners promises to be a matchup to remember.

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) celebrates with the Golden Hat Trophy after the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30. / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

Around 92 thousand people pack the Cotton Bowl Stadium every year to watch the Red River Showdown between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners.

For the past two decades, this rivalry has been arguably the most heated one in the Big 12 Conference, but in 2024, the logo shown on the field will look a bit different. Texas and Oklahoma both joined the Southeastern Conference on July 1 and with both trying to make an impression in the new group, this game could be more competitive than ever.

Oklahoma currently holds the Golden Hat after becoming the Longhorns' only regular-season defeat. The 34-30 win for the Sooners was a nail-biter from start to end and avenged the team's previous 49-0 loss in 2022.

Nov 18, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) celebrates a first down with Oklahoma Sooners tight end Austin Stogner (81) against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Like Texas, Oklahoma had a dominating last season in the Big 12, losing only to state rivals Oklahoma State and Kansas. The Sooners would later take part in the Alamo Bowl and fall 38-24 to Arizona.

The Sooners are coming off a 10-3 season, while Texas is fresh out of a Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff season. On top of that, Texas comes into the matchup as the No. 1 ranked team for the first time in 40 years following an undefeated start to the season.

Oklahoma fell to Tennessee in the SEC opener, but came back up with a 27-21 against Auburn.

No. 1 Texas and No. 18 Oklahoma know each other like the back of their hands. Oklahoma's head coach Brent Venables is heading into year three leading the team while Texas' Steve Sarkisian is going into his fourth.

This Golden Hat might mean more to these teams than ever before.

Oklahoma Sooners

2024 Record: 4-1, 1-1 in SEC

Head Coach: Brent Venables

Offensive Leaders

Passing: QB Michael Hawkins Jr.

2024 stats: 23 of 37 for 310 yards and 1 TD

Rushing: RB Jovantae Barnes

2024 stats: 57 carries for 199 yards and 2 TDs

Receiving: WR Deion Burks

2024 stats: 26 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns

Defensive Leaders:

Tackles: LB Danny Stutsman

2024 stats: 22 solo, 18 assisted, 40 total

Interceptions: DB Billy Bowman Jr.

2024 stats: one interception

Sacks: R Mason Thomas

2024 stats: 5.5 sacks