After six weeks of college football, there is a contest between two Big 12 powerhouses. These teams are the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners. Both teams started the season with different goals and hopes, but both teams were expected to win a lot of games this season. Oklahoma was ranked in the AP preseason top ten rankings and was expected to compete for a college football playoff spot under first year coach Lincoln Riley. Oklahoma is currently the 12th ranked team in the college football rankings and will look to rejoin the top ten. Texas, similarly to Oklahoma, started the season in the preseason top 25. However, Texas fell out of the rankings after week one of the season and has not returned to the rankings since. If Texas can pull off the upset, then one can expect the Longhorns to become ranked once again.
The Oklahoma Sooners started off their season extremely well and defeated a top five ranked Ohio State team in their second game of the season. The Sooners carried that momentum towards a 4-0 record and looked like a favorite to win the NCAA championship. However, last weekend, Oklahoma was upset by Iowa State which practically ended their 2017 title hopes. Leading Oklahoma is none other than senior quarterback Baker Mayfield. This season, Mayfield has thrown for 15 touchdowns and over 1,500 yards along with zero interceptions. Last year, Mayfield carried his team to a thrilling 45-40 victory over Texas and he will look to duplicate that performance on Saturday.
Texas’ season has been quite unpredictable to say the least. The Longhorns started the season in the top 25 but were upset by Maryland in the first game of the season. Many experts expected Texas’ season to implode as the team would underachieve throughout the course of the season. However, Texas rebounded from the opening loss and are currently 3-2. Last week, the Longhorns defeated rival Kansas State in an extremely competitive double overtime contest. The Longhorns will attempt to build off of that victory and upset the potentially “free-falling” Sooners.
Texas’ mid-season success was due to the quarterback switch made by coach Tom Herman. Herman decided to name Sam Ehlinger the starting quarterback a few weeks into the season and the Longhorns’ offense has looked more explosive as a result. So far this season, Ehlinger has thrown for five touchdowns and three interceptions. What makes Ehlinger so effective at quarterback has been his ability to rack up tons of yards on the ground. Ehlinger has 165 rushing yards this season and is averaging 3.6 yards per carry. If Ehlinger can make plays with his legs, expect the Sooners’ defense to struggle.
As for my prediction, I have to side with Texas. Texas’ offense is ridiculously explosive and I doubt that Oklahoma’s defense will have any answers. The Longhorns will be at home and I expect the home crowd provide a huge spark. Baker Mayfield is a great player, but he cannot do everything himself.
I see Texas winning in a shootout behind a strong performance from Ehlinger and the rest of the offense.
Oklahoma vs. Texas: Game Time, TV Channel & Viewing Details
Event: Oklahoma vs. Texas
Date: Saturday, October 14, 2017
Start Time: 3:30 P.M. EST
Location: Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX
Broadcast: ESPN
How To Watch Oklahoma vs. Texas Online & Mobile
ESPN App
Mobile user can watch the game using the WatchESPN app (iTunes Store | Google Play Store | Amazon Store | Windows). You’ll need a cable subscription though, like you would watching it on your desktop.
Sling TV
Sling TV is a service that allows subscribers to watch live and on-demand TV channels on TVs, computer or mobile device. It’s just like a cable or satellite TV service, except it’s delivered over the internet. You can sign up for Sling TV’s free 7-day trial. If you cancel your subscription within seven days, you will not be charged. Once signed up, simply download the app for your computer or mobile device to start watching.
