### Texas Longhorns Seek Redemption Against Oklahoma Sooners in Red River Rivalry

As one of college football's most storied matchups unfolds, the Texas Longhorns, ranked No. 1 and holding a 5-0 record (1-0 SEC), square off against the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. This year's Red River Rivalry is charged with extra intensity, especially since it's set against the lively backdrop of the State Fair of Texas, splitting the stadium into a sea of crimson and burnt orange.

Texas is eager to avenge last year's heart-wrenching loss when a late-game touchdown pass from Dillon Gabriel to Nic Anderson sealed Oklahoma's 34-30 victory with just 15 seconds on the clock. However, the Sooners face significant challenges this year as Gabriel has transferred to Oregon and their top five receivers are sidelined due to injuries.

In a twist of fate, Oklahoma will turn to true freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., who has already had a taste of starting under pressure with a victory over Auburn and appeared in a game against Tennessee. Hawkins Jr. is making history as the first true freshman quarterback to start in this high-stakes rivalry for the Sooners.

The Longhorns, on the other hand, are bolstered by the return of star quarterback Quinn Ewers, who missed the last three games due to an injury. Ewers had a mixed start but eventually found his rhythm, completing a crucial series to help Texas gain momentum.

Early in the game, Oklahoma managed to take a brief 3-0 lead with a 42-yard field goal by Tyler Keltner. Texas, however, responded strongly, with Quinn Ewers connecting with Gunnar Helm for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 7-3. The Longhorns extended their lead further after a series of key plays, including a significant 44-yard pass to Ryan Wingo and a 35-yard touchdown run by Tre Wisner.

The game saw several turnovers, notably with Oklahoma's Taylor Tatum fumbling after a first down, providing Texas multiple opportunities to capitalize. With these turnovers, Texas managed to build a lead of 21-3 right before halftime.

Looking ahead, experts have varying predictions for the outcome, but most agree that Texas has the upper hand. Cedric Golden predicts a 35-17 win for the Longhorns, while Thomas Jones foresees a 38-13 victory, pointing out Oklahoma's struggles in finding offensive consistency.

Ryan Aber suggests a tighter contest, predicting a 24-20 outcome with the possibility of Arch Manning coming off the bench to secure a Texas win. Regardless of the scoreline, all eyes will be on how the young Hawkins Jr. handles the pressure in this historic rivalry.

Fans can catch the highly anticipated clash live on ABC with streaming options available on the ESPN app and ESPN+. The kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, promising a gripping spectacle at the Cotton Bowl.