#5 Texas outguns #1 Oklahoma to win 'Red River Shootout'

The annual Texas vs. Oklahoma showdown—known as the “Red River Shootout” is one of the more storied rivalries in college football.  Seldom, however, has its poll implications been this significant with both teams inside the top five.  In a high scoring game, Texas trailed throughout before taking control in the 4th en route to a 45-35 victory that vaulted Texas into the #1 position in the polls.

Texas fell behind by 11 twice in the first half and trailed by eight midway through the third quarter before going on a 25-7 run to finish the game.  Colt McCoy might not have had the glossy numbers of his OU counterpart Sam Bradford, but he played a very efficient game and moved the team when it counted.  Bradford finished with 5 TD passes on 28 of 39 passing for 387 yards but also threw 2 interceptions.  McCoy, meanwhile, went for 277 yards on 28 of 35 passing and 1 TD pass—but no interceptions.

While the statistical battle was pretty much even with Texas gaining 438 yards to OU’s 435, the Longhorns’ superior ground attack allowed them to dominate the time of possession battle—Texas had the ball for 37:10 to the Sooners’ 22:50.  The Longhorns finished with 161 yards on the ground with Oklahoma’s rushing attack was practically nonexistent as it finished with a mere 48 yards.

Texas beat a #1 Oklahoma team for the first time in 45 years, and the loss also represented the first time a Bob Stoops coached team had lost a game in which they’d scored at least 35 points.  While the win vaulted Texas all the way to #1, Oklahoma dropped past Alabama and Penn State to settle at #4. 

The Longhorns have a tough scheduling draw from here on out, with every one of their remaining games against a ranked opponent and/or an in-state rival.  In the next three weeks they’ll play #11 Missouri and #8 Oklahoma State at home before traveling to Lubbock for a meeting with #7 Texas Tech.  Before the end of the year they’ll also face #16 Kansas as well as Lone Star State rivals Baylor and Texas A&M.

Oklahoma’s schedule is somewhat more favorable, with only three ranked teams on the docket.  They’ll entertain #16 Kansas next weekend before traveling to Manhattan, KS for a game with Kansas State.  On November 1st they’ll return home for a game against a weaker than usual Nebraska team.