When Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0 SEC) and Texas (3-2, 0-1 SEC) face off at the Cotton Bowl each fall, college football stops to watch.

The Red River Rivalry isn’t just a game — it’s a century-old clash of pride, identity, and momentum that defines both programs.

And this year, it arrives with more intrigue than ever as Oklahoma chases perfection and Texas fights for legitimacy. It could also feature a quarterback duel between John Mateer and Arch Manning.

The Red River Rivalry’s Deep Roots

The Oklahoma–Texas showdown dates back to 1900, making it one of college football’s oldest rivalries. Since 1932, the game has been held each year in Dallas at the Cotton Bowl, splitting the stadium into torrents of crimson and burnt orange.

The victor claims the Golden Hat, but the stakes always transcend one trophy. This rivalry has helped shape national title races, coaching legacies, and recruiting battles through generations.

In 2025, Oklahoma arrives undefeated and riding momentum under Brent Venables, while Texas enters the clash seeking steadiness after a rocky start. Yet as history reminds us, this game often rejects logic — instead hinging on emotion, execution, and chaos.

Texas owns the all-time series 64-51, with five ties. The Longhorns won last year’s game in a lop-sided 34-3 victory. Texas was the No. 1 seed then. Now the Sooners, who enter ranked sixth in the nation, look to exact revenge.

The Quarterback Question: Mateer vs. Manning?

All eyes will be on what could be a marquee Mateer vs. Manning matchup — but only if both quarterbacks are healthy enough to suit up.

Manning is physically fine. His early-season struggles, he says, are more about mental roadblocks than anything else. There’s a lot riding on the 21-year-old’s shoulders, including a family legacy.

For Mateer, Oklahoma’s breakout star, the challenges are indeed physical. He’s excelled this year, competing 95 passes on 141 attempts (67.4%) for six touchdowns. in four games. But his participation in Saturday afternoon’s game remains up the in air. Mateer is listed as questionable after undergoing hand surgery.

The Oklahoma QB is reportedly “pushing to return” for Saturday’s game, but head coach Venables has remained cautious. “I don’t know anything about the injury. When they tell me he’s available, I’ll let you all know,” Venables said.

He also revealed that Mateer has not yet taken part in “good-on-good” work in practice.

Now, if Mateer can’t go, sophomore QB Michael Hawkins Jr. will step in. Hawkins performed admirably in his start last week, throwing for 162 yards and three touchdowns in a 44–0 win. Hawkins Jr. started in last year’s Red River Rivalry game, dueling with Quinn Ewers, in which Texas crushed Oklahoma 34-3.

A healthy Mateer–Manning duel would be one for the ages. But if injuries intervene, the game could devolve into a battle of backups, unpredictability, and momentum swings — exactly the kind of drama that makes Red River a must-see.

Oklahoma vs. Texas Game Time and Tickets

Kickoff for Saturday afternoon’s Oklahoma-Texas game is set for Tickets are still available for 3:30 PM Eastern / 2:30 PM Central at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

Tickets are still available for the 2025 Red River Rivalry game, but they’re going fast, with only around 5% tickets of available in the secondary market.

Seats start at around $272 for upper-level seats on StubHub, which offer a relatively intimate view compared to modern stadiums. That’s inclusive of fees.

Tickets on Vivid Seats are a little cheaper, starting at around $258 — and they have a larger inventory to choose from here.


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