Texas vs Oklahoma 2025: Red River Rivalry Time, TV, and the QB Health Twist That Could Decide Dallas
The 121st Red River Rivalry arrives with roles reversed: No. 6 Oklahoma unbeaten and hunting statement wins, Texas unranked and angling to steady its season behind Arch Manning. It’s still the same split-stadium cauldron, the same Cotton Bowl sightlines, and—this year—the same question everyone’s asking at the gate: how close to 100% will the Sooners be at quarterback?
The 121st Red River Rivalry arrives with roles reversed: No. 6 Oklahoma unbeaten and hunting statement wins, Texas unranked and angling to steady its season behind Arch Manning. It’s still the same split-stadium cauldron, the same Cotton Bowl sightlines, and—this year—the same question everyone’s asking at the gate: how close to 100% will the Sooners be at quarterback?
Texas vs Oklahoma Kickoff & How to Watch
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Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 — 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT
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Where: Cotton Bowl, Dallas (State Fair atmosphere in full roar)
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TV/Stream: National broadcast on ABC with standard subscription streaming options and radio coverage from both schools.
Lineups / Starters / Inactives
Texas Longhorns (Offense)
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QB: Arch Manning — redshirt sophomore; high-variance month but still the offense’s engine and leading rusher.
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RBs/WRs: Committee on the ground; perimeter speed (Worthy/Household names) featured off RPO and play-action.
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OL note: Pass pro has wobbled; quick game is Texas’ safety valve.
Oklahoma Sooners (Offense)
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QB: John Mateer — cleared to play after late-September hand surgery; dual-threat dimension returns to Jeff Lebby’s spacing.
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Skill group: Vertical threats outside plus a TE who stresses seams; backs used as pass protectors and outlet options.
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OL note: Better push than a year ago; interior sets the run/pass blend.
Defense, both sides: Texas still fast and stingy between the 20s; Oklahoma’s front has carried them with havoc and disciplined rush lanes.
Head-to-Head & Recent Form
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All-time series: Texas leads 64–51–5.
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Last five meetings: OU 34–30 (2023), UT 49–0 (2022), OU 55–48 (2021), OU 53–45 4OT (2020), OU 34–27 (2019); Texas routed 34–3 in 2024 to snap OU’s recent edge.
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Form snapshot: Oklahoma 5–0 (1–0 SEC), defense traveling; Texas 3–2 (0–1 SEC), searching for consistency after a bumpy two-week stretch.
Numbers That Matter (Stats Focus)
| Metric | Team/Player | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB line (2025) | Arch Manning, TEX | ~60% comp, 1,151 pass yds, 11 TD, 5 INT; plus team-leading rush | Texas leans on QB legs when run game stalls; design answers vs pressure are critical. |
| QB line (2025) | John Mateer, OU | 1,215 pass yds (67.4%), 6 TD, 3 INT; 190 rush, 5 TD | Dual-threat stress on edges; hand health influences keeper menu and deep shots. |
| Havoc rate | OU defense | Top-tier SEC to date | If Sooners win early downs, Texas gets stuck behind the chains. |
| Explosive plays (20+) | Texas offense | Down from Sept. peak | Without explosives, UT must stack 10-play drives—hard in this rivalry’s chaos. |
| Red zone TD% | Both | Middle of pack | Field goals vs sevens likely flips the day in a one-score script. |
Tactical Levers
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Texas’ protection plan: Slide help and quick perimeter access for Manning reduce exposure to OU’s four-man rush; expect sprint-outs and RPOs to slow the edges.
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Mateer’s usage knobs: If the hand limits ball handling, OU can favor zone-read looks that keep mesh points clean and emphasize intermediate throws off play-action.
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Field position & hidden yards: With State Fair wind quirks, punt and kick coverage loom large; winning the 40-yard line often decides Dallas.
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Tempo toggles: Both staffs will hit the gas after explosives to trap personnel; conversely, a late first-half bleed could steal a possession.
Recent Meetings & Momentum (Compact View)
| Year | Result | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Texas 34–3 | UT defense smothered; clean, methodical offense. |
| 2023 | OU 34–30 | Last-minute Sooners rally; vertical shot wins it. |
| 2022 | Texas 49–0 | UT avalanche; trench dominance. |
Texas vs Oklahoma Prediction
This edition points to field position and quarterback mobility. If Oklahoma protects Mateer while still threatening the perimeter with his legs, the Sooners’ defense can squeeze Texas into third-and-long and flip the game with one takeaway. If Texas’ first-down script lands—RPOs, quicks, and a couple of designed keepers for Manning—the Longhorns can neutralize OU’s pass rush and create two shot-play chances off manipulated safeties.
Lean: Oklahoma 23, Texas 20. The Sooners’ front four and a late Mateer keeper tilt the final possessions, with special teams and red-zone efficiency providing the razor’s edge.
