Numbers that matter: Oklahoma vs. Texas
This isn't your typical 'Red River Rivalry' matchup.
Sure, No. 12 Oklahoma (5-0) is undefeated, but the Sooners aren't playing with the panache typical of a Bob Stoops' team contending for a national championship.
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It's been more of a conservative approach so far.
Texas (3-2), meanwhile, can't afford to be conservative. Given all the talk in Austin, this could be a way for Mack Brown to save his job.
There's still plenty at stake, and it's forever one of college football's best rivalries.
Let's go inside the numbers to see who has the advantage:
Series
Texas beat Oklahoma 28-2 in the first meeting in 1900. The Longhorns have a 59-43-5 edge in the series, which has been marked by runs from both sides. Texas won eight straight from 1940-47 and 1958-65. The Sooners won six in a row from 1952-57 and have taken the last three meetings.
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Marquee matchups
The BCS Era has brought out the best in both programs, which have combined for 12 BCS bowl appearances and two national championships. This marks the first time since 2005 that both schools aren't ranked heading into the matchup.
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Signature win: No. 10 Oklahoma 63, No. 11 Texas 14 (2000)
Dubbed the 'Red River Romp,' the game marked the Sooners' arrival on the national scene under Stoops. Quentin Griffin rushed for six touchdowns in the blowout, which Oklahoma led 42-7 at halftime. The Sooners used that momentum to complete a 13-0 season and win the BCS national championship.
Signature win: No. 5 Texas 45, No. 1 Oklahoma 35 (2008)
A record 92,182 fans filled the Cotton Bowl for the highest-scoring game in the rivalry's history. Sam Bradford threw for 387 yards and five touchdowns, but it wasn't enough against Colt McCoy, who finished with 277 yards. Texas rallied in the fourth quarter behind a pair of touchdown runs by Cody Johnson.
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Signature game: No. 1 Texas 15, No. 3 Oklahoma 15 (1984)
Talk about surreal drama. Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer wore a 'Beat Texas' hat on the sideline, and Mack Brown was the Sooners' offensive coordinator. Texas quarterback Todd Dodge appeared to throw a game-ending interception to Keith Stanberry with 10 seconds remaining, but officials ruled the pass incomplete. Texas' Jeff Ward kicked the game-tying field goal as time expired. The teams left the field with fans from both sides chanting, 'We're No. 1! We're No. 1!'
Bob Stoops vs. Mack Brown
Stoops is 9-5 against Texas, but he also is 9-1 against the Longhorns when the Sooners are ranked higher in the AP Poll, the lone loss coming in 2008. Brown is 6-9 against the Sooners, but the schools have split the last eight meetings.
Key matchup: Texas defensive ends vs. Oklahoma tackles
The Longhorns' much-maligned defense still has a pair of NFL-ready defensive ends in Jackson Jeffcoat and Cedric Reed. Oklahoma's Blake Bell took three sacks against TCU last week, so Oklahoma tackles Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams -- both 320 pounders -- have to bring their 'A game.'
Key matchup: Oklahoma wide receivers vs. Texas secondary
Oklahoma seems content to run a possession passing game with receivers Sterling Shepard (21 catches, 266 yards, 3 TDs) and Jalen Saunders (22 catches, 214 yards, 3 TDs) with the occasional deep shot to Jazz Reynolds (6 catches, 137 yards). Texas defensive backs have combined for just two interceptions. How much will they gamble?
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On the spot: Case McCoy, QB, Texas
It's been a struggle against the Sooners since Case's brother Colt left Austin. In the past three losses, Texas quarterbacks have averaged 234.7 passing yards with three TDs and five interceptions. Will McCoy step up, or is the excuse to put touted-freshman Tyrone Swoopes in action?
On the spot: Oklahoma running backs
The Sooners rolled up 363 rushing yards and six TDs in last year's blowout. If Oklahoma gets that kind of production from the 1-2 punch of Brennan Clay (6.6 yards per carry) and Damien Williams (4.0 ypc.), this won't take long. Texas has the seventh-worst rushing defense in the country (248.4 yards per game).
Stat that matters: First-half scoring
Texas has to have hope at halftime. The Sooners have outscored the Longhorns 91-19 in the first half of the last three meetings.
Stat that matters: Third-down passing
Bell's efficiency on third down has been remarkable. He's 18-for-30 with no interceptions, and he averages 11.3 yards per attempt on third down. He also averages 4.4 yards per carry on third down. If the Longhorns want to have a chance, then interim defensive coordinator Greg Robinson better have a plan to contain Bell.
Bottom line
The Sooners are double-digit favorites for a reason. Texas hasn't shown enough on defense -- the Longhorns allowed 201 rushing yards against Iowa State last week. Still, if Texas can feed off the emotions of the always-charged atmosphere of this unique rivalry and keep it close in the first half, then a season-saving (and perhaps coach-saving) upset isn't the question. If not, bank on four in a row for Oklahoma.
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