Texas vs. Oklahoma Complete Game Preview
One of the most storied rivalries in college football kicks off Saturday in the 109th Red River Showdown between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners.
Both teams are coming off losses and will be looking to build some momentum with a win in the Cotton Bowl.
The Sooners, who have never dropped back-to-back conference games under head coach Bob Stoops, have the early advantage over the Longhorns, and most people will enter this game expecting a destruction by Oklahoma over first-year head coach Charlie Strong and Texas.
But the same scenario followed the Longhorns last season and ended with a Texas upset.
Can Texas repeat and shock the nation?
When: Saturday, Oct. 11, 12 p.m. ET
Where: Cotton Bowl, Dallas
TV: ABC
Austin radio: KVET 98.1/1300
SiriusXM satellite radio: XM 202; Sirius 117; Internet 969; Spanish 550
Last meeting: Oct. 12, 2013; Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Last meeting's outcome: Texas 36, Oklahoma 20
Opening spread: Oklahoma (-14.5), per Odds Shark
Texas Keys to Victory
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Defense: Build off Baylor Game
The Longhorns did not pull off an upset over Baylor last week, but the defense got in quarterback Bryce Petty's head and caused him to struggle.
The Heisman Trophy candidate was asked about the Longhorns' defensive performance, and his response was, "My head is still spinning." Obviously, that's proof that the game plan was effective.
Texas will face an Oklahoma team that is not only angry about last season's upset but is also coming off a loss. The defense needs to emulate the Baylor performance against the Sooners.
Offense: Score Early and Often
This point is a "Captain Obvious" key to victory and probably doesn't need any description. The Texas offense has to get in the end zone early to build some momentum and has to put up points throughout the game.
The Longhorns are currently averaging 13.5 points per game with Tyrone Swoopes under center. That won't cut it against Oklahoma or any other Big 12 team left on the schedule.
Oklahoma Keys to Victory
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Defense: Hit Tyrone Swoopes Early
If Stoops has watched any Texas games this season, he would know his defense will have a lot less to worry about than his offense.
Texas has scored 23 first-half points in the last four games. Fourteen of the total 54 points the Longhorns have scored with Swoopes have come in garbage time.
On Monday, Swoopes told reporters he was nervous in the game against Baylor because he "got hit a little bit."
The Sooners need to hit Swoopes early to get him off his game.
Offense: Control the Clock
The strength of the Longhorns is the defense, but the unit can only do so much. One of the major issues the defense has faced is being worn out come the second half.
Of the 82 points the Longhorns defense has given up, 73 have come in the second halves of games.
Oklahoma's offense needs to control the time of possession to wear down the Texas defense.
Texas Players to Watch
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John Harris
The Longhorns offense has been a struggling unit, but fifth-year senior wide receiver John Harris has been one of the few bright spots.
Harris has spent his time at Texas either injured or as a backup to younger players. But when the new staff came to Austin, Harris received a fresh start—of which he has taken full advantage.
Harris' 370 yards and four touchdowns lead the Longhorns receiving corps. He and Swoopes have shown signs of a building rhythm, and that needs to continue Saturday in Dallas.
Quandre Diggs
Senior cornerback Quandre Diggs is one of the vocal leaders on this team and will be looking to build some momentum in his final season by pulling an upset over the Sooners.
"Even with the way this season is going, a win in this game can get us going throughout the rest of the year," Diggs said Monday.
Diggs has only been a part of one winning team against Oklahoma, and he will be looking for a "W" in his final Red River Showdown.
Oklahoma Players to Watch
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Trevor Knight
Quarterback Trevor Knight has not only caught the attention of Katy Perry, but he has also made a name for himself with the Sooners.
The sophomore had a breakout performance against Alabama in last year's Sugar Bowl and continued to build off the upset over the Crimson Tide.
But he showed some struggles in the loss to TCU last weekend.
Knight completed only 40 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions in the 37-33 loss. He will almost certainly be looking to bounce back against the Sooners' biggest rival.
Eric Striker
Linebacker Eric Striker leads Oklahoma with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks this season. But one of the biggest hits he made was in last year's Red River Showdown.
The junior placed a huge hit on quarterback Case McCoy that caused McCoy to do a flip.
If Swoopes' nerves against Baylor were high because of a couple of hits, imagine what a hit from Striker will do to his confidence.
What They're Saying
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Texas head coach Charlie Strong on Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard:
"The thing Shepard does is he can stretch the defense, and once he gets into the open area, we've got to run him down because he's one of those guys with big plays. Knight does a good job of hanging the ball out there to him, and he runs in there to get it. He's physical, not just a breakaway guy, but a guy that runs behind his pads and runs people over."
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops on Tyrone Swoopes, via Sooner Sports:
"He's a really big, athletic guy. They're running the football with him a little bit but still they've got their passing game and trying to get it out. He's doing a good job, I believe. They're just running their offense with him like they always have. But again, he has the element of the opportunity to run but they don't go overboard with it on how much he's running.
"
Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs on playing Oklahoma:
"Just the better team wins. Whoever prepares the best wins. I guess we prepared better than they did last year. We've got to prepare a lot this year. I know those guys will come out, be ready to play. No doubt about it. It's a great rivalry, and I'm just proud to be able to play in this game."
Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight on starting his first Red River Showdown, via Sooner Sports:
"I think it's just like any other game in the fact that I'm going to have to prepare. It's going to be a hard fought game. Also, it's exciting for me. Watching that game growing up, it's a huge game. I'm looking forward to that opportunity.
"
Prediction
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This is an easy game to pick. The Longhorns defense has done everything it can to keep the offense in games.
But the offense has done little to reciprocate the defense's efforts.
If Texas had a different offense, this season would have an entirely different narrative.
Unfortunately for Texas fans, that is simply not the case.
Until the offense can find a way to get in the end zone, it's almost impossible to pick the Longhorns to upset any opponent.
Oklahoma 31, Texas 17
Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.
Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's featured columnist covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.
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