The State Fair of Texas rolls on. In Dallas, the Midway rides hum, the funnel cakes sizzle, and for one weekend, the Cotton Bowl becomes college football’s epicenter. This Saturday, No. 6 Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0 SEC) and Texas (3-2, 0-1) will square off in the 121st edition of the Red River Rivalry — the second clash between them as SEC foes. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ABC, but for Oklahoma, the week has already felt like battle prep.
Under Brent Venables, Oklahoma’s record versus Texas is brutal: a 1-2 record with two blowout losses. The 2024 game was a 34–3 drubbing. This year, the Sooners walk into Dallas with one of the nation’s most fearsome defenses, a special teams unit that’s made strides, and an offense laden with potential but shadowed by questions — chief among them: is John Mateer going to play?
Texas Week, Tension in the Air
Venables opened the press conference Tuesday morning with energy and candor.
“Texas week. Really exciting. Our guys are really looking forward to the challenge this week. … Expect a really talented, dominant, explosive defense. An offense that, again, has all the weapons. … Really excellent football team.”
He didn’t sugarcoat anything. Oklahoma knows Texas is dangerous — loaded on both sides, experienced, and coached by a staff that’s built consistency. Venables praised Coach Sarkisian’s staff, calling them a “model of consistency” and noting Texas balances its offense with roughly 250 passing yards and just over 170 rushing yards per game.
That balance is part of what makes Texas formidable. Venables pulled zero punches. He expects both an offense with serious weapons and a defense that can fight. He also acknowledged Texas’ coaching continuity and returners, saying they’re “really well-coached” and that their defense has been dominant from start to finish.
The Mateer Question
But beneath the bravado lies a gnawing uncertainty. Will Mateer play?
During media day, Venables was clear:
“He’s doing his normal protocol. He’s done zero good-on-good work.”
“John is doing no good-on-good work. So, it’s Michael and Whitt right now. If something changes, I’ll let you know.”
He emphasized that if Mateer plays, he must be ready — not just thrown in. “You’ve gotta do good on good, right? Throw some skelly, hand the ball off, play on third downs.” In other words: if you’re not ready, don’t risk it.
Venables admitted he’s not a medical textbook. “I just lean on the doctors. I’m not an expert in any of it.” And when he was pressed about knowing anything deeper about the injury, he cut off the question: “I don’t know anything about the injury.” The message is clear: Mateer’s status is in limbo — and only the medical staff will call the shots.
With Mateer out (or at limited capacity), the burden shifts to Michael Hawkins Jr. Venables had plenty to say about his young backup quarterback:
“He came in and had good awareness, self-awareness. Corrected mistakes, showed leadership… He played in a really efficient way … got our offense into the end zone … 100 percent conversion rate down there.”
That praise matters. It shows the coaching staff believes he can manage. Hawkins doesn’t need to be explosive against Texas — he needs to be steady, smart, sound in protection, and decisive in third downs.
Defense, Identity, and Dawg Pound Pride
There’s a truth many have overlooked in the quarterback drama: Oklahoma’s identity lives and dies with defense.
Venables has perfected the “defense dictates” script. He’s called it the strength of this team this fall, and his players have bought in. He spoke about the defensive line calling itself The Dawg Pound, a moniker they’ve embraced:
“I like the engagement. … They’ve showed up. They like to work, they like to compete … these guys like it. … They’re taking a lot of pride in it.”
He also acknowledged the pressure on the defensive unit in Dallas:
“To me, what you want is the poise under pressure. … You have to use your mind as much as you do [your body]. … You can’t just be excited to go play — it’s the effort with the technique … in a really high-pressure moment.”
The veteran defense, with its experience and leadership, will be tasked not only with stopping Texas but teaching younger teammates how to absorb the moment.
Matchups, Line Play & Game Planning
If there’s one battle that will determine this game, it’s in the trenches. Venables highlighted it explicitly:
“I think the lines of scrimmage on both teams is going to be really important. … We need to be able to protect. We need to be able to run efficiently … but … we need to play our best four quarters of football this week.”
In other words: no holes, no breakdowns, no lulls. That’s where Texas’ weaknesses can be picked apart. If Oklahoma can control line play, plus territory becomes less treacherous.
Venables also discussed Texas’ offense — complementing his praise for Manning and the staff:
“They’re really well-coached, a highly-recruited offensive line. … He can do it all. So, it’s going to be a tremendous challenge.”
He spoke of Arch Manning with respect, praising his toughness, arm talent, and poise under pressure. Venables clearly sees Manning as a threat — not just a name. That recognition underscores how seriously Oklahoma must approach this matchup.
Special Teams as a Hidden Weapon
Amid the quarterback drama and defensive hype, Venables also spotlighted Oklahoma’s special teams — arguably the wildcard in a tight rivalry.
“That’s a part of our team that’s playing really well right now. … As we began the season, the challenge in our return game … if we get Sategna going north and south, he can be one of the best in the country … it’s been a real weapon from a field position standpoint.”
He emphasized buy-in from all units, saying these players fight for every patch of grass. In a game where field position can determine momentum, Oklahoma’s special teams might just tip a close contest.
Program Values, Leadership & Resilience
One of Venables’ recurring themes: leadership, selflessness, and team culture, especially in an era of roster turnover and transfer portal movement.
“Selfless. It’s harder than ever to have a selfless team … the opportunity for guys to pack up and leave … I have great appreciation for this team. They’ve been present, they’ve been about the team, they’ve been they’re on a mission. … That has been very hungry.”
He also praised Peyton Bowen for developing into a “really good leader” and a glue presence in the back end. That’s not accidental praise: it’s affirmation that Oklahoma is maturing its depth and not relying on just stars.
He spoke of his role as defensive play-caller with a sense of joy, describing collaboration with staff and the late-night film sessions. The energy he exudes is sincere — and that kind of buy-in at the top often trickles down to the team.
What’s On the Line
So here’s what we’re watching when Oklahoma and Texas meet Saturday:
- Quarterback clarity or chaos — If Mateer returns, it’s a legs-up boost. If he doesn’t, Hawkins must manage.
- Defense vs. offense chess match — Can Oklahoma’s front disrupt Texas’ balance? Can the secondary bottle up deep shots?
- Special teams leverage — In a tight one, returns, punts, and kicks may decide momentum.
- Resolve under pressure — Rivalries are fueled by emotion. The team that controls its poise often wins.
- Identity affirmation — Oklahoma wants to prove it’s no longer just a program hinged on one quarterback, but a resilient, complete football team.
When Venables said, “These are the moments you come to Oklahoma for … the pageantry, the competition, the challenge — that’s what this program was built on,” he wasn’t speaking lightly. He was setting the tone for a test. A game where legacy and identity are on display.
Because at its core, this isn’t just a game. It’s a truth serum. And what Oklahoma does — with or without Mateer — will reveal where the program stands in the SEC and in its own evolution.
Matt Hofeld is a college football & softball analyst and contributor covering the SEC. Follow him for more Oklahoma and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook