Red River Rivalry Preview: Texas Longhorns Face Off vs. Oklahoma Sooners in Dallas

The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners will continue their Red River Rivalry on Oct. 7 in Dallas, TX.

The Red River showdown between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns annual rivalry is almost always one of the most anticipated games of the college football season.

The first game ever played between Texas and Oklahoma was in 1900. Excluding the years 1918, 1920, 1921, and 1924-1928, the two rivals have played one another every season since. 

Texas may hold the all-time Red River Showdown series record at 63-50-5, but the Sooners have overpowered the Longhorns within the past two decades since the year 2000, claiming victory at the last 16 of 24 matchups.

However, the 49-0 OU loss last season to the Longhorns marked the Sooners' biggest blowout in Red River Showdown history. Part of the reason for OU's loss was its failed passing game during the last Red River matchup. 

The Sooners started quarterback Davis Beville for the injured starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, but only 6 of his 12 passes were completed for a total of 38 yards, including an interception. On the other hand, however, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers completed 21 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns.

But this year, Oklahoma will be craving revenge and Gabriel will lead the offense.

Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) celebrates scoring a touchdown with Oklahoma s Troy Everett (52) in the first quarter during an NCAA football game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and Iowa State :: NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

Both teams will meet in Dallas, TX, as always, on Oct. 7, but this year's matchup will look completely different than last season - both the Longhorns and the Sooners are improved and more fully developed.

Both the Sooners and the Longhorns are 5-0 in the overall season and 2-0 in the Big 12 so far. The Longhorns remain at No. 3 in the AP Poll following their defeat over the Kansas Jayhawks while Oklahoma secured its season-high spot of No. 12, so stakes to maintain a dominant record for both teams is on the line.

Saturday's game will be the last Red River Rivalry matchup played in the Big 12 before both teams move to the SEC, and it may even be the most memorable one yet.

Oklahoma Sooners

2023 record: 5-0, 2-0 Big 12 Conference

Head coach: Brent Venables 

Passing: QB Dillon Gabriel

2023 stats: 1,593 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions

Rushing: RB Marcus Major

2023 stats: 51  carries, 199 rushing yards, one touchdown

Receiving: WR Andrel Anthony

2022 stats: 22 catches, 387 yards and one touchdown

Returning defensive leaders: LB Danny Stutsman

2023 stats: 49 total tackles, two sacks