Tale of the Tape
#14 Texas (9-3) vs #5 Oklahoma (11-1)
Line: Oklahoma -7.5
O/U 78
What’s at Stake?
These two teams previously played back on October 6th in what was a thrilling 48-45 victory that the Longhorns managed to hang on to after blowing a 21 point lead in the 4th quarter before Cameron Dicker was able to put the game away with a 40 yard field goal. After that game, Oklahoma fired DC Mike Stoops and despite the shaky defense, have not lost since. On the other side, this performance vaulted Texas to 9th the next weekend and eventually climbing as high as 6th in the AP Poll before dropping close games to Oklahoma State and West Virginia in conference play.
At stake in this game is not just the Red River Rivalry taking place outside of the Cotton Bowl, but also a playoff spot. Oklahoma will just need to avenge this early season loss and they would have a very good shot at getting into the College Football Playoff for the second year in a row. On the other side, the second year of the Tom Herman era in Austin has been a relative success, but you know the fans are still longing for the glory days of Longhorn football and a win in this game would go a long way to restoring that history. The rivalry is as fierce as ever and Big 12 officials have already warned the teams about assessing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, which we already know means no “Horns Down” hand signals from the Sooners. With everything that is on the line here mixed with the hatred and history of this rivalry game, this very well may be the best conference championship game of the weekend.
Stats to Know
Texas is T-58th in the country, allowing 7.2 yards per pass attempt. Kyler Murray leads the country with 12.0 yards per attempt.
This is not to say that Texas’ defense is horrible, but rather to state just how good Kyler Murray has been through the air. This is currently the third year in a row that an Oklahoma QB has led the country in yards per attempt. To put the season Murray is having into perspective, his 12.0 yards per attempt is the highest since at least 2004 (when ESPN’s stats stop) and by passer efficiency rating, Murray is having the second best season since at least 2000, only behind Tua (CollegeFootballReference). In their last meeting, Murray went 19 for 26 with 304 passing yards, four touchdowns and a pick, in addition to another rushing touchdown and 92 yards on the ground. Kyler Murray will take over this game once again.
X-Factor: Charles Omenihu
The Texas defensive lineman has been the Longhorn’s best pass rusher this year, leading the team with 8.5 sacks. The Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year was able to get to Murray twice in their first meeting of the year and will need to get pressure in order to slow down the Sooner offense this weekend.
Prediction
Oklahoma’s offense is too much to slow down in the end and they get their revenge. Oklahoma wins 55-38.