Who's next for Texas football: A look at the Oklahoma Sooners
This game needs little introduction. Texas and Oklahoma will meet for the 121st time this Saturday in the Cotton Bowl. Here’s an early look at the Sooners.
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Upcoming opponent: Oklahoma Sooners
Head coach: Brent Venables, fourth year (27-17)
2025 record: 5-0
Last game: 44-0 win versus Kent State
Star offensive performer last time out: WR Isaiah Sategna – four catches, 75 yards, two TDs
Star defensive performer last time out: R Mason Thomas – six tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
Quarterbacks:
- John Mateer: 95-for-141 for 1215 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT, 43 carries, 190 yards, 5 TD
- Michael Hawkins Jr. – 15-for-27, 167 yards, 3 TD,15 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD
Offense: Under new offensive quarterback Ben Arbuckle, a Texas native who played at West Texas A&M, the Sooner offense has been a major reason for optimism for Oklahoma this year. A protege of Zach Kittley, Arbuckle utilizes an Air Raid system that maintains run-pass balance via a significant amount of quarterback runs with Mateer.
Defense: The Sooner defense is called by Venables, who took over those responsibilities in earnest after Zac Alley left for West Virginia after the 2024 season. A veteran and arguable savant, Venables puts multiple looks in front of opposing offenses. He uses varied fronts and even some three-high safety looks with a number of incredibly talented players to make life very difficult on opponents.
Texans on the roster:
- A lot. More on this as the week progresses
Former Longhorns on the roster:
- None
This guy is on their team?
- LB Kendal Daniels – Daniels played in 42 career games for the Oklahoma State Cowboys and even made 15 career tackles against the Sooners, logging four in the final edition of Bedlam. After the 2024 season, he entered the portal and decided to take his talents to Norman. This year, he has 14 tackles and 3.5 TFL.
All-time series: 64-51-5
Upcoming matchup
- Teams: Texas vs. Oklahoma
- Date: October 11
- Time: 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Cotton Bowl – Dallas, Texas
- TV: ABC
