The Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns have one of the biggest rivalries in sports. The Red River Rivalry is truly a spectacle. But the last few years haven’t been as much of a game as we, as sports fans, have hoped for. This one could be the same way.

Texas is the No. 1 team in the country. Oklahoma is no longer ranked, and shouldn’t be. But Texas seems beatable despite being No. 1 overall. They could have lost to Tennessee not long ago. Yet the Sooners, with their baggage, still have a chance this weekend. However, not many are picking them to win.

Final score predictions for Oklahoma vs. Texas

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Notre Dame: Texas 21, Oklahoma 10

This feels like an ugly, low-scoring battle for much of the afternoon, with both defenses dictating the pace. Oklahoma’s defense presents a major challenge for Texas, forcing Arch Manning to make a couple of crucial plays in difficult situations. Manning doesn’t need to put up huge numbers, but he delivers when the Longhorns need him most and does just enough to keep the offense moving.

Oklahoma’s bigger issue is its offense, which struggles to sustain drives against a talented Texas defense. The Sooners find a few opportunities but can’t capitalize enough to keep pace. Texas eventually creates some separation late, with Manning making the key throws to secure a hard-fought 21-10 victory in a game that never feels particularly comfortable for either side.

Craig Smith, A to Z Tennessee: Texas 26 Oklahoma 9

I’ve watched Oklahoma a number of times this season, and I haven’t seen many Power Four offenses worse than the Sooners’ this year. I also haven’t seen many defenses better than the Longhorns’ this year. Colin Simmons is one of college football’s most dominant defenders, totaling 5.5 sacks against Tennessee in one of the best overall defensive performances we’ve seen from a player and a team this season.

Now, a floundering OU offense with no answers for getting John Mateer and the passing attack going will have to find a spark against one of the country’s best defenses. I don’t expect it will go any better than it did for the Sooners against Georgia. OU gives Texas some short fields, and that’s all the Horns need to take control.

Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida: Texas 19, Oklahoma 7

We’ve seen some wild things in Red River, and this game likely won’t be an exception. The one thing that stands out is Oklahoma’s offense. I don’t trust what John Mateer is going to be able to do. He’s gone from a fun quarterback at Wazzu to a player with a broken brain. I don’t think Mateer will do much against the Longhorns, but I can see the defense getting the Sooners on the board because that unit can flat-out play.

Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama: Texas 27, Oklahoma 19

Typically, Red River is one of the more anticipated games on the college football schedule, but that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. That has little to do with Texas, however, as the No. 1-ranked Longhorns have held up their end of the hype deal; it has everything to do with Oklahoma, OU’s offense, and John Mateer.

The year-two leap at Oklahoma hasn’t come to fruition, and Mateer may have regressed from how he looked pre-thumb injury to his current state. But I don’t think it’s all on Mateer. Oklahoma just doesn’t have easy buttons on offense outside of Isaiah Stategna, and Ben Arbuckle hasn’t exactly inspired much confidence with his scheme. I don’t see a world where OU can score enough to keep up with the Longhorns.

Justin Churchill, A to Z Oklahoma: Texas 19, Oklahoma 13

The Oklahoma Sooners are in a bad spot right now. As we write this, they’re dismissing their freshman wide receivers. But in other news, the offense is broken. And there’s really no fixing it. However, the defense is still good enough to win them games. They just need decent play from the offense from time to time. I still don’t think that happens this week. They’re not healthy. Meanwhile, Texas looks good, especially on defense. Their offense can be efficient but has its own issues. This one is going to go to the Longhorns once again.