Biggest questions for Texas, Oklahoma heading into Red River Rivalry
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The biggest week of the regular season is underway. It’s Texas-OU week.
Adding to the intrigue of the game is the uncertainty surrounding both teams. Multiple quarterbacks could start for both teams, as Quinn Ewers, Dillon Gabriel and Hudson Card are all banged up or seriously injured.
I’m not sure anybody truly knows what to think about Oklahoma through five games with new head coach Brent Venables.
Through three games, the Sooners were undefeated and dominant. Some believed they were a College Football Playoff team. Now, bruised and battered, they enter the Red River game with more questions than answers.
Texas has certainly not been easy to figure out through five games. The Longhorns sustained a loss in both their best and worst performances of the year.
The team that stood toe-to-toe with Alabama looked like a playoff team with Quinn Ewers. They have since had shaky performances as talented youth underwent growing pains.
Let’s examine what this week will reveal for both teams.
Can Dillon Gabriel play this week?
Syndication: The Oklahoman
Gabriel’s availability eclipsed Quinn Ewers’ return as the main story this week following Oklahoma’s 55-24 loss to TCU. It’s entirely possible the UCF transfer could have led a comeback, though it certainly wouldn’t look pretty. Gabriel left the game with the Sooners trailing 34-10 on what appeared to be a cheap shot by a TCU defender. Davis Beville didn’t exactly shine in relief of the talented quarterback. Texas has shown to be way more capable of winning with their backup quarterback to this point.
Ewers or Card?
Syndication: Austin American-Statesman
The question has to be asked. Hudson Card has had shakier moments than his stat line would suggest, but has seen live reps the last three weeks. Ewers is a first-year starter and returning for Red River is easier said than done.
Ultimately, Oklahoma is going to play with their hair on fire defensively with uncertainty on the offensive side. The Sooners’ best chance to win involves aggressive defense that leads to a low scoring game. Card has improved against pressure but reacts a little slower than Ewers. I tend to believe Ewers gets the start if healthy. Give Card credit for making this a conversation.
Who is Oklahoma?
Syndication: The Oklahoman
I don’t believe Oklahoma is the team that got blown out by TCU any more than I believed they were the team that dominated Nebraska. Then again, the secondary might actually be that bad. If so, Texas could score points in droves. For whatever reason, I think they’re a lot closer to the team that faced Kansas State than the team that got blown out by TCU with Gabriel. Unfortunately for them, they may not have Gabriel available.
How will Texas prepare?
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I would be curious to see what quarterback Texas prepares to face. To some, that might not matter all that much. Beville certainly struggled in relief against TCU, but facing a right-handed Beville may differ from defending against a left-handed Gabriel. How hard Texas players practice is another variable. Last week’s win could make it easy for Texas to start feeling comfortable. They will need the same urgency as last week.
What do Pete Kwiatkowski and Gary Patterson have planned this week?
Syndication: Austin American-Statesman
Oklahoma should be the priority matchup every year, even with Alabama on the schedule. Will Texas have a plan on par with their Alabama game plan? The Texas defense needs to make Oklahoma prove it is worthy of downfield respect, rather than conceding easy throws in soft zone coverage.
What role will confidence play this year?
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Texas should be the more confident team considering how both teams performed last week. There’s a difference between confidence and arrogance, and the Longhorns need the former.
The aggressor typically enjoys the most success. Texas was that in the first half last year before Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams took over the game. The Longhorns will need to be aggressive for four quarters.
