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Longstanding rivalries top the schedule but none are bigger than the Red River Rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners.
With the winner again taking command of the Big 12 South and each team looking to earn a BCS bid, the meeting at the Cotton Bowl is always classic.
The #2 Texas Longhorns are the favorite on Saturday, but by only 3-points. Bettors don't think that's enough, as 80% of them at Sportsbook.com have been willing to lay the points at last check.
For Oklahoma (3-2, 2-3 ATS), it has been a tough go in 2009. Having to play without its Heisman Trophy quarterback for most of the season, potential All-American tight end and recently losing its best receiver.
Despite the problems, the Sooners still control their own destiny with a win over archrival Texas. Like most coaches, Bob Stoops doesn't worry about whose not there, instead trying to get the most out of who is.
Quarterback Sam Bradford played last week in Baylor, a 33-7 win. He is having to play without TE Jermaine Gresham for the season and WR Ryan Broyles is questionable.
Another factor in this equation is a defense lacking in big stops. In spite of nine starters returning and No.9 ranking, the Oklahoma defense did not make an important shutdown in their losses to BYU or Miami. The Sooners are 1-3 in the last four meetings vs. Texas and haven't covered since 2004.
As Texas (5-0, 1-4 ATS) found out last season, beating Oklahoma isn't enough to make the BCS Championship and they have to keep focused with road games at Missouri and Oklahoma State up next.
QB Colt McCoy hasn't been quite the quarterback he was a season ago, but is still having a very good 2009 campaign. He's been helped by a running back by committee this season, as coach Mack Brown has gone with the hot hand and kept feeding the ball to that back.
What might make the difference for the Longhorns this season is the defense (No.4 overall). The defensive line was hit by graduation, nonetheless defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has pleaded with his team about the importance of seizing the momentum with key stops and turnovers and its paid dividends. Texas is 5-12 ATS vs. ranked teams on neutral fields.
The underdog is 14-7 ATS since 1988, with the margin of victory 10 or more points in 10 of last 11 battles. The Longhorns are 6-18 ATS away from home after five or more consecutive straight up wins. The Sooners are 8-1 ATS after a game with a turnover margin of +2 or better over the last two seasons. Oklahoma is 6-2 ATS as road underdog under coach Stoops. Is there upset in the making?
Statfox Play: Texas -3
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Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
