Texas vs. Oklahoma: Previewing the 2011 Red River Rivalry

The Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners form the Red River rivalry. This is one of the most heated, and competitive, rivalries in college football.

Texas currently leads the series 59-41. Oklahoma grabbed their first win over Texas in three years with a victory last season.

Despite their recent success against their Big 12 rivals, Texas has struggled in the national picture. Last season the Longhorns finished 5-7. This season Mack Brown's boys are off to a 4-0 start.

The Longhorns' matchup against the Sooners provides a major opportunity to become relevant again in the BCS picture.

Offensively, the Longhorns are led by Case McCoy. McCoy is a sophomore with very little experience. He has over 300 yards and two touchdowns this season. He has thrown no interceptions.

Foswhitt Whittaker and Malcolm Brown form a dynamic duo on the ground. Whittaker has four touchdowns. Brown has over 300 yards in four games. Brown is an electric freshman riding huge expectations.

Defensively, the Longhorns are 12th in the country in scoring defense. They are surrendering just under 15 points per game.

The Sooners do not need this game, in order, to hop back into the national picture. Currently sitting at No. 2 in the polls, the Sooners are firmly entrenched among college football's elite.

Landry Jones leads the Sooners' offense. He has over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns so far this season.

All-American wideout Ryan Broyles has almost 500 of those yards. He also has six touchdowns.

Dominique Whaley leads the Sooners on the ground in terms of production. The former walk-on has seven touchdowns in four games. Roy Finch is also very talented and undervalued in the Sooner backfield.

The Sooners' defense is allowing just over 15 points per game. They boast several big-time playmakers at all three levels of defense.

Both teams will step foot in the Cotton Bowl with one thing in mind, a victory.

For the Sooners, a victory keeps them on pace for the national championship game.

The Longhorns need a victory to keep pace in the Big 12, and continue their climb back among the titans of college football.

Rivalries are always fun. Storied rivalries between two talented teams are even more fun.

Don't expect to be disappointed as the Longhorns keep this game closer than anticipated.