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OU in rare spot of playing No. 1-ranked opponent, Texas

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•10/06/24•

BPrzybylo

Barry Switzer2
OU legend Barry Switzer; 'Beat Texas' hat. (Provided from Switzer's social media).

For more than 20 years, nobody has blinked when OU has been ranked No. 1. Especially during the prime years of former head coach Bob Stoops. The Sooners had the target on their backs on a routine basis.

But facing No. 1? Now that is some unfamiliar territory. But territory that Brent Venables and Team 130 will be in next week.

Following Saturday’s chaos, Texas is back to being ranked No. 1 in both the coaches and AP polls. OU is going after No. 1 in the regular season for the first time since 2000 against Nebraska.

OU, of course, won that legendary battle, 31-14, on its way to winning its last national championship. There have been other games against No. 2-ranked teams like Texas Tech in 2008 and going to Ohio State in 2017. Or facing No. 1 Missouri in the Big 12 championship in 2007 in San Antonio.

Heck, even last season Texas was No. 3 heading into Dallas.

The Sooners just happened to win those as well. But nothing going against No. 1 since that magical run 24 years ago.

And Texas being No. 1 going into the Red River Rivalry? That hasn’t occurred since 1984. OU fans might remember that one 40 years ago, the 15-15 tie against the Horns. Just ask then-OU head coach Barry Switzer about that one. OU fans haven’t forgotten that controversy.

This year’s version of Texas was ranked No. 1 a couple of weeks ago but dropped to No. 2 after Alabama took out Georgia last week.

Well, thank you, Diego Pavia? Saturday was just one of those bizarre weeks in college football. Pavia led Vanderbilt to the unthinkable, upsetting No. 1 Bama 40-35 in Nashville.

Ohio State is also receiving first-place votes, but it is Texas who stands above the rest of the pack. OU is ranked No. 16 in the coaches poll and a three-way tie for No. 18 in the AP poll (Indiana, Kansas State).

The first SEC version of the Red River Rivalry at 2:30 p.m. on ABC at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Buckle up, could be one to remember.

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