No. 1 Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Land Thieves
Texas and OU tee it up for the 122nd time on Saturday in the Cotton Bowl. Texas leads the overall series 65-51-5. As of Friday, Oklahoma has not scored a touchdown against Texas in 1,098 days. Kickoff will be a little after 2:30, and the game will be broadcast on ABC. Sean McDonough with the play-by-play, Greg McElroy with color and commentary, and Katie George reporting from the sidelines.
The game can be heard around the world on the Longhorn Radio Network with the Voice of the Longhorns Craig Way, joined by Roger Wallace in the booth and by Will Matthews on the sidelines. Listen in Austin on the Flagship, KVET 1300 AM and 98.1 FM. In Tyler on KTBB 600 AM and 92.1 FM. In Midland on KBAT 99.9 FM. And listen in San Angelo and the Concho Valley with Mr. McLaughlin on KKSA 1260 AM. Dr. Rubén Pizarro-Silva and Jesus Mendoza with the call in Spanish on certain Longhorn Radio Network affiliates and streaming on the Texas Longhorn App and at https://texas.leanplayer.com/.
Texas opened as a 6 point favorite. Early Friday morning as I get ready for a nap before heading to Dallas, Texas is favored by 7.5. The over/under is 39.5. Money line: Texas minus 325, Oklahoma plus 260. Longhorns to win.
This is the 14th time a No. 1 team has played in the Red River Shootout. Most of any in poll history. Texas is 4-0-1 when top ranked.
The photo is not the one in my original draft of this edition. That is below. I switched and decided to reuse this one because it captures the emotion of this great game. Above is Calvin Anderson after the No. 19 Longhorns upset the No. 7 Land Thieves 48-45 in 2018. Sam Ehlinger was 24/35, 314 yards, 2 TDs, and ran for 72 yards and three scores. Lil’ Jordan Humphrey caught 9 passes for 133 yards and a score and passed for a touchdown. And Cameron Dicker got a nickname and became a legend.
The Red River Shootout
Cool video from Texas Football, both X and Instagram – Let’s ride
https://x.com/texasfootball/status/2108345821229953339?s=43
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DeQKIwOsCCW/
Last year’s Monday Morning Highlights:
Los Longhorns en Español from last year
College Football This Weekend
Going to Fair Park cuts down on the weekend viewing, but some good games and at least a couple to enjoy Saturday night as we enjoy the evening at Tony’s house celebrating the Longhorns’ win and enjoying some pizza from Campisi’s.
- 7 Indiana at Nebraska, 11:00 a.m. on FOX. Both teams are undefeated. A huge opportunity for the Cornhuskers.
- 21 UCLA (4-0) at No. 13 Oregon (3-1), 2:30 p.m. on CBS.
- Stanford (2-3) at No. 3 Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. on NBC.
- 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama, 6:30 p.m. on ABC. Both are 5-0. Biggest SEC game this season so far. This will be a fun one. Weather may be a factor.
- 19 Southern Cal at PSU, 6:30 p.m. on NBC.
Not big on looking ahead, but Week 7 (Florida here) is going to be nuts.
College Football Last Weekend
That was a wild weekend. Alabama crushed Mississippi State, 56-23. Missouri stunned Florida 45-17, holding Jadan Baugh to 13 yards on 12 carries. Notre Dame beat the rain and the Tar Heels 37-26, neither accomplishment came easily. Texas Christian put up a good fight but fell to Brigham Young, 10-17. Kentucky beat South Carolina 35-34 (in Columbia) and was rewarded by the AP voters by being dropped from the top 25; coaches got it right.
SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report
Usually, I put the Availability Report a bit lower in the newsletter. But given the report from Norman, it leads before looking at the 2026 Land Thieves.
2026 Oklahoma Sooners
John Mateer (No. 10, 6′ 1″, 224 pounds, fifth-year senior QB from Little Elm, went to Norman via Pullman). 72 of 109 passing, 66.1%, for 883 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions; passer rating of 150.98. Has 41 carries for 76 net yards and no rushing touchdowns. QBR is 56.9, ranked 70th. Arch Manning is ranked 48th with a 64.4 QBR, Mateer’s best game was against UTEP, when he was 11 of 17 for 225 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no picks. Playing Georgia between the Hedges was a different story, 25 of 34 for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns, an interception and two lost fumbles. One fumble was returned 85 yards for a touchdown; the other set Georgia up at the OU 11. Michigan was his lowest passing-yardage game: 189 yards. He is not having his best year, and I hope Muschamp has a plan to make it worse.
Running Backs
Lloyd Avant (No. 9, 5’10”, 215 pounds, junior from Summer Creek HS in Humble, previous stops at Tulsa and Colorado State). On the season, 42 carries, 164 yards, 3.9 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown; he has 6 catches for 31 yards. His best game was against the UTEP Miners, 15 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. His worst (no surprise) was against the Georgia Bulldogs, where he fought to get 23 yards on 10 rushes.
Xavier Robinson, their 3rd leading rusher, is out. The next two are Jonathan Hatton, Jr. (No. 20) who has 14 carries for 48 yards and Ben McCreary (No. 23) who has 6 carries for 40 yards; neither has a touchdown.
Wide Receivers
Isaiah Sategna III (No. 1, 5′ 10″, 185 pounds, fifth-year senior). Sategna was born in Austin, attended Fayetteville High School (the one in Arkansas, not Texas), originally committed to Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, went to Arkansas instead, and then transferred to Oklahoma. Talk about some DNA engineered to hate the Longhorns, other than his birthplace. The Land Thieves leading receiver and top offensive threat. He has 20 catches, 267 yards, 13.4 yards per catch, and 2 touchdowns; a long of 53 yards. His best game was against New Mexico (6 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown). At Michigan he had 2 catches for 9 yards.
Parker Livingstone (No. 3, 6’3″, 202 pounds, junior from Lucas) is 5th in receiving, but with Trell Harris out he is second among the wide receivers. 6 catches, 51 yards, 8.5 yards per catch, and no touchdowns.
Mackenzie Alleyne (No. 17, 5’11”, 184 pounds, junior WR from Tustin, California). 4 catches, 40 yards, 10.0 yards per catch, and 1 touchdown; long of 22 yards.
Tight Ends
Expect Mateer to be looking for his tight ends. They are good and could hurt us.
Rocky Beers (No. 81, 6’5″, 240 pounds, sixth-year senior TE from Littleton, Colorado). 18 catches, 255 yards, 14.2 yards per catch, and 2 touchdowns; long of 43 yards. He’s right behind Sategna. Against Michigan, 6 catches for 94 yards, and in Athens, he had 8 catches for 84 yards and a touchdown going up against the Georgia defense. Pretty good.
Hayden Hansen (No. 89, 6’8″, 266 pounds, fifth-year senior TE from Weatherford). 4 catches, 64 yards, 16.0 yards per catch, and 1 touchdown; long of 29 yards.
Offensive Line:
LT Ryan Fodje (No. 70, 6′ 5″, 321 pounds, from Cypress).
LG Eddy Pierre-Louis (No. 55, 6′ 3″, 318 pounds, from Tampa, Florida).
C Jake Maikkula (No. 69, 6′ 6″, 309 pounds, from Sedalia, Colorado).
RG Noah Best (No. 52, 6′ 4″, 319 pounds, from Midlothian).
RT E’Marion Harris (No. 76, 6′ 6″, 318 pounds, from Little Rock, Arkansas).
Not sure who backs up Pierre-Louis, maybe Heath Ozaeta. If Fasusi (who normally starts) and Hinton can’t go, the Sooners are thin at tackle. Our defensive front needs to come out of the blocks like a carrier launch and knock the crap out of the Thieves.
Defense
Owen Heinecke (No. 38, 6’1″, 230 pounds, sixth-year senior LB from Tulsa, Oklahoma). 27 tackles (13 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 QBH. Listed as probable, and I have him listed as probably a handful for the Texas line.
Peyton Bowen (No. 22, 6’0″, 204 pounds, senior safety from Denton Guyer HS [Corinth native]). 17 tackles (8 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble. Fair to say that between Bowen and Heinecke, the middle of the field may not be fertile ground.
Reggie Powers III (No. 3, 6’0″, 214 pounds, junior DB/Cheetah from Centerville, Ohio). 17 tackles (12 solo), 4 TFL, 2 sacks (for 20 yards), and 2 pass breakups. Of course the Land Thieves have a defensive position called “cheetah”. They’ve cheated a lot. In Venables’ defense, it is a hybrid linebacker/safety position that can also line-up edge. Comes up against the run, takes the slot or the tight end, blitzes. Useful. Powers is good.
Omarion Robinson (No. 2, 5’11”, 212 pounds, sophomore safety from Little Rock, Arkansas). 17 tackles (10 solo), and OU’s only interception.
James Nesta (No. 47, 6’3″, 230 pounds, junior LB from Huntersville, North Carolina). 16 tackles (7 solo), 1 PB, 1 QBH, and 1 fumble recovery.
Jayden Jackson (No. 65, 6’2″, 306 pounds, junior DL from Indianapolis, Indiana). 15 tackles (8 solo).
Taylor Wein (No. 44, 6′ 4″, 265 pounds, senior defensive end from Brentwood, Tennessee). 15 tackles (8 solo), Thieve-leading 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QBH, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
Eli Bowen (No. 23, 5’9″, 189 pounds, junior cornerback from Denton Guyer HS [Corinth native]). 12 tackles (8 solo), 2 pass breakups. Majoring in entrepreneurship and venture management.
Adepoju Adebawore (No. 34, 6′ 4″, 265 pounds, senior defensive end from Kansas City, Missouri) leads OU with 2.5 sacks, with 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. His name is pronounced just as it is spelled.
Coach
Brent Venables is in his fifth season in Norman as head coach. He was an assistant coach for Stoops on the 2000 National Championship team. 34-22 overall, 1-3 against Texas.
The LT 2026 Season:
2026 has not quite shaped up like the good old boys in the 19th Hole at Okie City Golf & Country Club and Gaillardia and up at Oak Tree National had in mind or paid for. Since hanging 51 points on UTEP, the Oklahoma offense has managed to score 37 points in three games – 10 against Michigan (23rd in scoring defense), 14 against New Mexico (4th in scoring defense), and 13 against Georgia (ranked 12th). Of course, the Land Thieves’ low production aided those teams rankings.
Game 1: The No. 10 Sooners hosted the Miners and it was not pretty for our cousins from El Paso. Mateer was a moderate 11/17 for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns, QBR of 84.4. Lloyd Avant ran for 79 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Sategna had 4 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Trell Harris and Rocky Beers each had a touchdown (and each had 2 catches, but longs of 48 and 40, respectively). Parker Livingstone had 1 catch for 6 yards. Sategna had an 88 yard punt return. Land Thieves posted 401 yards of offense while holding UTEP to 198 yards and 2 of 13 on third down conversions. The Miners did rush for 112 yards. Sooners got 4 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Game 2: No. 11 Oklahoma’s trip to Ann Arbor was billed as a battle of bluebloods in the Big House. Historically accurate. The 3-2* Wolverines have underperformed expectations, making the 17-10 loss even uglier for Oklahoma. (One could do a lot with that short phrase, but it is late.) Mateer had a bad day – 17/33 for 189 yards, 1 score, 1 pick; leading rusher with 45 yards on 13 carries; QBR of 52. Avant had 9 carries for 35 yards. Rocky Beers had 6 receptions for 94 yards, including a long of 43, Trell Harris had 4 for 43. Sategna had 2 catches for 9 yards. Livingstone had 1 catch for 8 yards and a lost fumble. On the other side, Bryce Underwood was 9/17 for 111 yards in the air, 18 carries for 87 yards and a score (leading Michigan rusher). Wolverines totaled 152 yards on the ground. Thieves got 2 sacks, 6 TLF.
Game 3: No. 24 OU hosted the much improved New Mexico Lobos in Norman. Land Thieves were favored by 21.5, over/under is a 44.5. Oklahoma won 14-6. Mateer was 19/25 for 238 yards and 2 scores, but also 2 interceptions; 10 rushes for 17 yards. Avant led OU with 27 yards on 8 carries. Sategna had a big day – 6 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, 53 yarder from Mateer. Parker Livingstone had 2 catches for 20 yards. Sooners got 6 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Game 4: The unranked Sooners went to Athens to play No. 2 Georgia, and it would be kind to say that the Oklahoma highlight reel was a short one. The Bulldogs dominated the Land Thieves, 41-13. Mateer contributed 3 turnovers to the losing cause (1 pick, 2 fumbles). He was 25/34 for 231 yards and had 15 carries for 7 yards; QBR of 44.4. Avant had 10 carries for 23 yards, Jonathan Hatton Jr. had 4 rushes for 14 yards. Beers had 8 receptions for 84 yards and a score, Sategna had 8 catches for 81 yards, long for 37. Livingstone had 2 catches for 17 yards. OU defense had 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack, and 2 TFL.
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Land Thieves
What a great photograph. The Oklahoma end almost empty well before the game was over, one in which the Longhorns throttled the Thieves 49-0 in 2022. Actually, the largest margin of victory that Texas has ever enjoyed. Hope to gaze south on empty seats in the fourth quarter on Saturday.
The Statistics
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Land Thieves |
| Rushing Offense | #88, #12 – 147.25 ypg | #131, #15 – 99.00 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #71, #10 – 231.3 ypg | #80, #13 – 222.3 ypg |
| Total Offense | #87, #12 – 378.5 ypg | #120, #16 – 321.3 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #55, #11 – 33.3 ppg | #109, #15 – 22.0 ppg |
| First Downs | #37, #8 – 23.0/game | #127, #16 – 16.5/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #93, #10 – 10, 62 yards | #76, #7 – 9, 45 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #110, #13 – 30, 133 yards | #67, #7 – 24, 81 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #20, #3 – 50.00% | #109, #14 – 33.96% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #56, #12 – 57.14% (4/7) | #127, #16 – 25.00% (1/4) |
| Touchdowns | #78, #13 – 16 total, 13 RZ | #119, #15 – 11 total, 4 RZ |
| Red Zone Attempts | #57, #10 – 19 | #134, #16 – 9 |
| Red Zone Offense | #49, #8 – 89.47% / 68.42% | #52, #11 – 88.89% / 44.44% |
| Long Run Plays | #81, #11 – 21/10, 3/20, 1/30, 1/40 | #137, #16 – 9/10, 3/20, 0/30, 0/40 |
| Long Pass Plays | #82, #13 – 39/10, 9/20, 4/30, 3/40 | #102, #15 – 34/10, 13/20, 6/30, 4/40 |
| Long Punt Returns | #20, #3 – 2 of 20+ yards | #20, #3 – 2 of 20+ yards |
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Land Thieves |
| Rushing Defense | #26, #5 – 99.25 ypg | #42, #7 – 115.50 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #26, #4 – 171.8 ypg (59.5%) | #4, #1 – 122.5 ypg (51.9%) |
| Total Defense | #22, #4 – 271.0 ypg | #5, #2 – 238.0 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #11, #1 – 13.3 ppg | #24, #5 – 16.0 ppg |
| First Downs Allowed | #40, #7 – 17.0/game | #2, #2 – 12.0/game |
| Sacks | #14, #4 – 15, 96 yards | #30, #9 – 13, 81 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #31, #7 – 31, 141 yards | #43, #9 – 28, 135 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #48, #8 – 34.55% | #3, #1 – 23.08% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #35, #3 – 37.50% (3/8) | #104, #13 – 66.67% (4/6) |
| Red Zone Attempts | #25, #4 – 11 | #13, #2 – 10 |
| Red Zone Defense | #22, #3 – 72.73% / 27.27% | #2, #1 – 60.00% / 30.00% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #22, #3 – 13/10, 2/20, 1/30, 0/40 | #22, #3 – 13/10, 5/20, 3/30, 2/40 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #16, #3 – 28/10, 8/20, 4/30, 3/40 | #1, #1 – 17/10, 8/20, 5/30, 2/40 |
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Land Thieves |
| Turnovers Gained | #81, #11 – 5 | #98, #12 – 4 |
| Turnover Margin | #65, #8 – 5:5 (+0) | #131, #16 – 4:10 (-6) |
| Penaltiesπ | #89, #10 – 25/250, 62.5 ypg | #55, #7 – 26/ 214, 53.5 ypg |
πRanked by yards per game, given the off week
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Land Thieves Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 147.25 ypg | 115.50 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 231.3 ypg | 122.5 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 378.5 ypg | 238.0 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 33.3 ppg | 16.0 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 23.0/game | 12.0/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 50.00% | 23.08% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 57.14% | 66.67% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 89.47% / 68.42% | 60.00% / 30.00% – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 21/10, 3/20, 1/30, 1/40 | 13/10, 5/20, 3/30, 2/40 – LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 39/10, 9/20, 4/30, 3/40 | 17/10, 8/20, 5/30, 2/40 – LPP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Land Thieves Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 99.25 ypg | 99.00 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 171.8 ypg | 222.3 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 271.0 ypg | 321.3 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 13.3 ppg | 22.0 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 17.0/game | 16.5/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 34.55% | 33.96% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 37.50% | 25.00% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 72.73% / 27.27% | 88.89% / 44.44% – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 13/10, 2/20, 1/30, 0/40 | 9/10, 3/20, 0/30, 0/40 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 28/10, 8/20, 4/30, 3/40 | 34/10, 13/20, 6/30, 4/40 – LPP |
BCF Toys
Each heading is hyperlinked to Brian Fremeau’s website and the applicable page.
| FEI | OFEI | DFEI | SFEI – Adj | |
| Longhorns | No. 8: 1.08 | No. 22: 0.30 | No. 1: 0.76 | No. 40: 0.04 |
| Land Thieves | No. 19: 0.66 | No. 69: -0.07 | No. 6: 0.65 | No. 12: 0.08 |
| NAY | OAY | DAY | |
| Longhorns | No. 26: 0.205 | No. 61: 0.496 | No. 12: 0.338 |
| Land Thieves | No. 45: 0.072 | No. 115: 0.381 | No. 5: 0.309 |
| NPD | OPD | DPD | |
| Longhorns | No. 17: 1.53 | No. 45: 2.68 | No. 8: 1.15 |
| Land Thieves | No. 54: 0.33 | No. 101: 1.68 | No. 17: 1.35 |
| NPP | OPP | DPP | |
| Longhorns | No. 38: 0.79 | No. 97: 5.16 | No. 11: 4.37 |
| Land Thieves | No. 29: 1.28 | No. 88: 5.28 | No. 6: 4.00 |
Possession Efficiency. Possession Efficiency (PVE) is unadjusted scoring value calculated from the results of non-garbage possessions (NP) in FBS vs. FBS games.
| PVE | OVE | DVE | SVE | |
| Longhorns | No. 23: 0.69 | No. 53: 0.07 | No. 9: 0.63 | No. 66: 0.02 |
| Land Thieves | No. 53: 0.16 | No. 116: -0.49 | No. 12: 0.58 | No. 36: 0.07 |
F+ F+ Ratings combine Brian Fremeau’s FEI ratings with Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings. Overall team ratings (F+), offense ratings (OF+), defense ratings (DF+), and special teams ratings (SF+) represent each team and unit’s standard deviation above or below average.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas | Oklahoma | .720 | 8.6 | 24.2 | 15.6 | 39.8 |
Official Game Notes from The University:
https://texaslonghorns.com/documents/2026/10/6/06_-_Oklahoma.pdf
Previews:
The Stampede, with Mack Brown, Vince Young, and Bob Ballou.
JD on3
Josh Pate. Texas to win and cover, but with caution.
ESPN College Football
TCT Thoughts
Every metric and every betting model suggests Texas will win by a touchdown or more. But none of those can take into account the subjective factors of college football, especially a rivalry game and the emotion and unpredictable variables, especially pure chance momentum changers. And especially in this game, one of the greatest rivalries in college football – of course in my opinion the very best rivalry. This week, add in that the Sooners are on the ropes, a wounded bear. Mateer is a very decent quarterback who is competitive and wants to help his team punch their way off the ropes and back to respectability. A game where, as I detail below, the underdog has, historically, a nearly 30% chance of upsetting the higher ranked team. Oklahoma has a great defense, and if we are honest, the Texas offense has been erratic. Great fourth quarter to beat the Buckeyes, solid in 2 out of 4 quarters in Knoxville. Of course, defense has been consistently good, and that is likely the difference. This game is going to be closer than I want it to be, and I am nervous as I always am in the hours leading up to kickoff in the Cotton Bowl.
What calms my nerves? Trust in Steve Sarkisian, trust in Arch Manning, and trust in Will Muschamp.
Offense first, which is the Sark & Arch Show. This is where I am nervous, because Venables loves to blitz, and we have not been great at protecting Arch and giving him time to get his passes off. That’s the concern with trying to go deep often: those deep pass plays take more time than some of the quick release hits in short to mid-range. How Sark plans around the No. 4 pass defense in the country, and how Arch executes that plan (or makes his own plays) will have a big impact on this game. The offensive line has got to step up. This is the one spot where the matchup really favors the Sooners.
What will help that will be our running game. Thus far, OU has not been nearly as good at run defense as pass. Texas has not been great, but with Hollywood back we should be able to be on track for 150+ yards rushing. Bob Ballou noted in The Stampede podcast with Mack and VY that the team that wins the running game wins the football game. Very consistently, including all five RRS games that Sark has coached. So hope that we can see an Ohio State Fourth Quarter Texas Rushing Attack starting on the first series and sustain that for the whole game. We do that, and we might actually win very big.
But what will really help Arch is if we can avoid getting behind the chains. No third and longs. Every third down over 4 yards will probably draw a blitz that will be hard to pick up. My friend Justin Nash has an excellent analysis on Inside Texas on OU’s blitzing abilities and success and UT’s ability to respond. Basic conclusion: Arch does well against the blitz. 5 of his 7 TD passes have been made when being blitzed and he scrambles less and is less likely to throw a pick.
One key to not getting behind on down and distance will be penalties. The emotions of this game are conducive to committing fouls, and Texas needs to be focused. Oklahoma is one of the best in the country (3rd) and best in the SEC on third downs. They held Georgia to 3 of 12. Picking up first downs is going to be hard. It is going to be really hard if it is third and long.
Key for the offense is going to be the ability of the offensive linemen to open holes and protect Arch Manning. They fail, Texas is going to have to win with defense. But, I think they will do more than enough.
This game features two great defenses. Muschamp will have a great game plan, and he has a great bunch of players. He is going up against an historically bad Oklahoma offense. In all the key stats except passing (OU is 80th), the Sooners are ranked 109th or worse. Out of 138 teams. Their rush offense is particularly putrid, and with their second leading running back hurt and thin and injured line, Muschamp has the opportunity to come out fast and furious and get the Land Thieves reeling on their heels. When he’s aggressive, our defense is at its best. Saturday will be a great day to have an attacking defense that confuses Mateer and invites him to make mistakes. Let Colin Simmons run wild, blitz Biles, just go for the jugular from the first snap.
The OU offensive line is thin, starting at least one back-up, and has not been very good all season. Mateer has been pressured 44 times in OU’s 5 games, they are 76th in the country in sacks allowed (9 for 45 yards). The Texas defense is 14th in sacks, with 15 for 96 yards. If we can force a lot of three and outs, we will be in good shape.
For the most part. With these two great defenses, that means a good chance that this a field position game. I am hoping that Sark will eschew the binder and not risk giving the Land Thieves the ball in plus territory. While they appear to suck on fourth down conversions, that is a bit misleading given the small sample size. Any team that good on third down can get fourth down stops. Punt the ball, play for field position.
The penalty issue applies equally if not more to the defense. Texas can’t afford to give Mateer and the OU offense hope by handing them first downs. Texas needs to play clean football.
I think Arch Manning and the Texas offense show a lot of progress on Saturday. Both defenses will be great. But our offense, even based on the games we have played, is better than Oklahoma’s.
TCT Prediction: Texas 24, Oklahoma 17
Requiescat in pace Emmett Augustus Carlisle III
Duke Carlisle, one of the greatest of the great to play for The University of Texas, passed away on Friday, October 2nd. In the era when men played both sides of the ball, Carlisle was our quarterback and safety, compiling a record of 30-2-1 as a starter and winning the Longhorns’ first National Championship in 1963. That team would defeat Roger Staubach and Navy 28-6 in the 1964 Cotton Bowl. A good East Texas boy, he was born in Kaufman and grew up in Athens. The article inked below includes Bill Little’s story, When the Duke became the King. Worth your time when you have minute.
Longhorn Legend Duke Carlisle passes away – University of Texas Athletics
OU Weekend and The State Fair of Texas
There are few, if any, Texas fans that I know who don’t believe that Texas-OU is not just the best game of the year, but that the whole weekend is the best football weekend in America. Everyone has their own routines. Friday golf games abound (not for me of course, that would be dangerous). Friday evening there are parties all around Dallas. As I learned particularly well when my girls were at The University, Longhorns in Dallas open their homes for Texas-OU weekend. Great hospitality.
I have settled into my routine. Friday afternoon drive to Big D. Maybe hit a Texas party, dinner at Javier’s with Carol & Tim Crowley and Page & Ivan Young, joined most years by one or more children from among those clans. Then to Juli & Tony Dewar’s house, my weekend home for many years now. Tony, a former taxi driver, always has transportation arranged for Saturday morning to go to the Fair. Meet up with friends near Big Tex for a Fletcher’s corny dog and one (or more) wax paper cup beers. Then, a newer tradition for me, thanks to Tony, head to Katie’s Café for one of the very best patty melts you will ever taste. Then to the main gate for the Herding of the Fans. Sure to be a huge mess. I wish the Sooners would go in early, like they did in 1889.
My other favorite food tradition is Frito Pie and a cold beer in the food court at halftime. Frito Pie the TCT Way: Fritos, then the cheese, then the hot chili on top – it melts the cheese. Add a little Tabasco and some jalapenos, and you are ready for the second half!
State Fair and The Food
First, a great tip from Cubby Gillingwater about parking at James Madison High School. Thanks Cubby!
The link to this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards. The Burger Chop Tater Tacos look amazing (winner, Savory). As does the Gold Crunch Melt. On the sweet side, the Fletchers Chocolate Corny Dog (winner) looks good (after I realized it was batter dipped chocolate, not a hot dog), and the Holy Flan! Buñueloco sounds amazing.
Big Tex Choice Awards | State Fair of Texas
A link to the Fair Park map to go find these goodies:
Big Tex Choice Awards Map | State Fair of Texas
History
A great and historic rivalry that transcends the second Saturday in October. The setting at the State Fair, the pregame festivities, the split in the stands. It is all magnificent. I love it.
The past two weeks the true cliché, “you can throw out the records” has been more common than meth labs exploding in mobile homes in Oklahoma. Reasonable in this series. In my lifetime, the lower ranked (or unranked) team has pulled the upset 17 times. In ten of those the underdog was unranked.
- 1963: No. 2 Texas, No. 1 Oklahoma: 28-7
- 1971: No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 3 Texas: 48-27
- 1977: No. 5 Texas, No. 2 Oklahoma: 13-6
- 1979: No. 4 Texas, No. 3 Oklahoma: 16-7
- 1982: N/R Oklahoma, No. 13 Texas: 28-22
- 1989: N/R Texas, No. 15 Oklahoma: 28-24
- 1990: N/R Texas, No. 4 Oklahoma: 14-13
- 1991: N/R Texas, No. 6 Oklahoma: 10-7
- 1992: N/R Texas, No. 16 Oklahoma: 34-24
- 1996: N/R Oklahoma, No. 25 Texas: 30–27 (OT)
- 2008: 5 Texas, No. 1 Oklahoma: 45-35
- 2013: N/R Texas, No. 12 Oklahoma: 36-20
- 2015: N/R Texas, No. 10 Oklahoma: 24-17
- 2018: 19 Texas, No. 7 Oklahoma: 48-45
- 2020: N/R Oklahoma, No. 22 Texas: 53-45 (4 OT)
- 2023: 12 Oklahoma, No. 3 Texas: 34-30
- 2025: N/R Texas, No. 6 Oklahoma: 23-6
On the official OU website, it says that in the last 76 years (October 14, 1950 – October 11, 2025), the Land Thieves lead the series 37-32-3. That doesn’t add up, so I investigated. OU omits 1960 (Texas won 24-0), 1961 (Texas won 28-7), and 1962 (Texas won 9-6). 1979, Texas won 16-7. 1996, Texas lost 27-30 in overtime. No explanation that I can find, other than Sooner incompetence. Leave out the 2018 Big 12 championship game, and the record in the Red River Shootout since 1950 is 37-36-3 (OU). Pretty even. What helps make a rivalry great.
Winsipedia comparison. Have to tip my hat: 50 conference championships and 7 Heismans is incredible.
Land Thieves Stuff
The Stuff Collection for this week and for Texas-OU is encyclopedic. Here is just a small sample.
- Texas and OU have played 5 times when the Longhorns were ranked No. 1 and have never lost. 4-0-1, with the tie being on that that cold and rainy 15-15 game in 1984 (OU was No. 2). Texas wins: 1946, 20-13; 1964, 28-7; 1965, 19-0; and 2024, 34-3.
- Only THREE #1-ranked teams in CFB have been less than 10 pt favorites against Unranked teams since 2007: *2026 – 1. Texas (-7.5) vs. Oklahoma *2025 – 1. Ohio State (-8.5) at Washington – (W by 18) *2012 – 1. Notre Dame (-4.5) at USC – (W by 9). Cody Carpentier.
- A great story of Joe Don Looney. Thanks Steve Bowers.
- The “sobbing Sooner” has embraced his fame, and he still hates Texas.
- Justin Nash on Arch – he is doing fine. Check this out.
- Four times since 2000 an undefeated team has met a team with two or more losses at the Red River Rivalry. Texas is 2-0. Oklahoma is 0-2. From Tyler Horka.
- More positivity on Arch Manning, from Cody Carpentier.
- Oklahoma has a non-offensive score in 30.5% of their games under Brent Venables. An insane rate. They will need a non-offensive score to beat Texas. Maybe multiple. In the Venables era: OU is 15–2 with a non-offensive score. OU is 19–20 with NO non-offensive score. From CJ Vogel.
Week Six in the Southeastern Conference
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical (3-2, 1-2) at No. 15 Missouri, 11:00 a.m. on ABC from Columbia. I am surprised about how close the odds and projections are. Somebody knows something. Missouri favored by 3.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Missouri | Texas A. and M. | .563 | 2.2 | 25.7 | 23.5 | 49.3 |
South Carolina (2-3, 0-3) at No. 16 Florida (4-1, 2-1), 11:45 a.m. on the SEC Network from the Swamp. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Florida a 73% chance of winning. Gators favored by 11.5, total is 59.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Florida | South Carolina | .585 | 3.1 | 30.6 | 27.5 | 58.1 |
No. 9 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-2), 2:30 p.m. on ESPN from Nashville. Rebels return from a week off after the debacle in Florida. Chambliss still getting reviews as best quarterback in college football. I hope he has a really good game this week. Sedrick Alexander is main running back for Vandy. He’s the good kid from LBJ High School here in the Austin area. Ole Miss favored by 9.5, over/under is 54.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Ole Miss | Vanderbilt | .649 | 5.6 | 33.4 | 27.9 | 61.3 |
No. 15 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1) at Arkansas (2-3, 0-2), 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network from Donald W. Reynolds Stadium in Fayetteville. Poor piggies. Go Vols. Tennessee favored by 13.5, over/under is 51.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Tennessee | Arkansas | .862 | 15.9 | 34.9 | 19.0 | 53.9 |
No. 10 Louisiana State (4-1, 1-1) at Kentucky (4-1, 2-1), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives the Tigers a 75.4% chance of winning. Louisiana State favored by 9.5, over/under is 51.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Louisiana State | Kentucky | .658 | 5.9 | 26.1 | 20.2 | 46.3 |
No. 2 Georgia (5-0, 3-0) at No. 6 Alabama (5-0, 3-0), 6:30 p.m. on ABC from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Another chapter in the clash of SEC titans, one that Alabama leads 8-2 over the last ten games. Of those ten games (working backwards): 2025 SEC Championship (UGA, 28-7), 2023 SEC Championship (Bama 27-24), 2022 National Championship (Georgia 33-18), 2021 SEC Championship (Bama 41-24), 2018 SEC Championship (Bama, 35-28), and 2018 National Championship (Crimson Tide 26-23 in OT). The Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 45-27-4. Going to be a fantastic football game, and I look forward to watching with Tony & family after we get home from Fair Park. Alabama is favored by 1.5, over/under is 51.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Georgia | Alabama | .532 | 1.1 | 27.9 | 26.3 | 56.0 |
Week Six – Service Academies
Tulane (2-2, 0-0) at Army (2-2, 1-1), 11:00 a.m. on CBSSN from Michie Stadium in West Point. Army favored by 3 points, over/under is 48.5. ESPN Matchup Predictor: Army 56%. Black Knights to win.
Tulsa (3-2, 0-1) at Navy (1-3, 0-2), 2:30 p.m. on CBSSN from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Midshipmen favored by 1.5, over/under is 48.5. ESPN Matchup Predictor: Tulsa 51.8%. The line surprised me. Tulsa to win.
Air Force (3-1) at Northern Illinois (0-4), 6:30 p.m. on CBSSN from Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois. Frankly, didn’t remember the Huskies were in the Mountain West now. DeKalb is neither mountainous nor West. Discuss. Falcons favored by 7.5, over/under is 46.5. Air Force to win.
Top 25 – Week Six
Friday
No. 20 Iowa (4-1, 1-1) at Washington (3-2, 0-2), 8:00 p.m. on either FOX or FS1, from Husky Stadium in Seattle. Washington favored by 2.5, over/under is 41.5
Iowa State (3-2, 1-1) at No. 8 Brigham Young (4-0, 2-0), 9:15 p.m. on ESPN from LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. Tough road game for the Cyclones. Cougars favored by 10.5, over/under is 46.5.
Saturday
No. 7 Indiana (5-0) at Nebraska (5-0), 11:00 a.m. on FOX from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. I kind of think Cignetti likes being the undefeated defending national champion and being ranked 7th. He’s already a great motivator. ESPN Matchup Predictor has Indiana at 69.1%. Hoosiers favored by 7.5, over/under is 47.5. Pulling for the Cornhuskers but don’t feel good about their chances. Indiana to go to 6-0. But GBR.
Central Florida (3-2) at No. 18 Oklahoma State (3-1), 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2 from Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. Coach Eric Morris has something special cooking. ESPN Matchup Predictor has Oklahoma State at 62.5%. Go Pokes, but I still can’t stand that bright orange. Okie A&M favored by 10.5, over/under is 53.5. Cowboys to win.
North Carolina (2-2) at No. 25 Pittsburgh (5-0), 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. I whiffed last weekend on the Pitt at Virginia Tech game (both undefeated). Weird miss, because for years I almost always included the Pitt Panthers in honor and then in memory of my uncle Bill Cieply, who played on the Pitt basketball team after fighting in Patton’s Third Army and defeating the Nazis. Anyway, Pitt is rolling this season, and I suspect they crush the Heels this weekend. Line is just Pitt by 3.5. Over/under is 47.5. Panthers to win and cover.
Leland Stanford Junior University (2-3) at No. 3 Notre Dame (5-0), 2:30 p.m. on NBC from Notre Dame Stadium in St. Joseph County, Indiana. The Battle for the Legends Trophy. The Cardinal is not what it used to be. Notre Dame is. The 40th meeting in a rivalry that has been fairly regular since 1988, with Notre Dame holding a 25-14 lead. The first game they played was the 1925 Rose Bowl. Knute Rockne coached his Irish, and the famous Four Horsemen, to a 27-10 win over Glenn “Pop” Warner’s Stanford team. Fighting Irish are favored by 38½, and the over/under is 54.5. Money lines are off. Notre Dame to win, but man, 5 touchdowns is a big line. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Notre Dame | Stanford | .990 | 42.6 | 48.0 | 5.4 | 53.4 |
No. 21 UCLA (4-0) at No. 13 Oregon (3-1), 2:30 p.m. on CBS from Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Somehow, the Bruins are acting like they are good again. We shall see. Ducks favored by 11.5, over/under is 59.5. Oregon to win, UCLA to cover.
No. 22 Houston (4-1) at Kansas State (3-1), 2:30 p.m. on FOX from Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan. ESPN Matchup Predictor: Wildcats 50.8%. K State is favored by 2.5, the over/under is 55.5.
Maryland (2-3, 0-2) at No. 5 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0), 3:15 p.m. on BTN from Ohio Stadium. Buckeyes are favored by 32.5, the over/under is 56.5.
No. 19 Southern Cal (5-1, 2-1) at Penn State (3-2, 0-2), 6:30 p.m. on NBC from Beaver Stadium. ESPN Matchup Predictor has the Nittany Lions at 62.1%. PSU are favored by 1.5, the over/under is 54.5. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Penn State | Southern Cal | .524 | 0.8 | 30.0 | 29.2 | 59.2 |
Go Trojans! Fight on. ✌🏼
Kansas (2-2, 0-1) at No. 12 Utah (4-0, 1-0) 9:15 p.m. on ESPN from Rice-Eccles Stadium in SLC. Utes are favored by 15.5, the over/under is 51.5.
No. 23 Boise State (4-1) at Fresno State (4-1), 9:30 p.m. on CW. Broncos are favored by 6.5, the over/under is 48.5.
Week Six – Other Games of Interest
Thursday Night, U.T. San Antonio hosted South Florida in San Antonio. A good game, as the Roadrunners scored with 15 seconds left to take a 31-24 lead. UTSA rushed for 277 yards. Birds Up!
Friday
Florida State (3-2) at Louisville (2-3), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Cardinals favored by 3.5. Of interest because I think it would be great if the Seminoles whipped them.
Wyoming at San Jose State, 8:00 p.m. on CBSSN. Would like to see the Spartans keep winning. They are 4.5 point favorites.
Saturday
Miami (2-3) at Massachusetts (4-1) 1:00 pm on ESPN+ from Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst. RedHawks favored by 2.5, over/under is 47.5. Miami needs to rebound.
Virginia Tech (4-1, 1-1) at California (2-3, 1-1), 2:30 p.m. on the ACC Network from California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Doesn’t look good for the Golden Bears. Hokies favored by 10, total is 53.5.
UAB (3-2, 1-0) at Memphis (4-1, 1-0), 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Tigers favored by 14, total is 53.5.
Nevada (1-3) at UTEP (1-4), 6:00 p.m. on FS1 from the Sun Bowl in El Paso. Wolfpack favored by 10, the over/under is 49.5. Good luck Miners.
Syracuse (2-2, 0-2) at Virginia (3-2, 1-1), 6:30 p.m. on the ACC Network from Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Cavaliers are favored by 10, the over/under is 50.5. Go Hoos! BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Virginia | Syracuse | .823 | 13.6 | 31.0 | 17.4 | 48.4 |
Seton Hill (2-3) at No. 8 Slippery Rock (5-0), 5:00 p.m. from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. The game will be streamed on Rock Athletics Digital Network.
SE Louisiana (3-2, 1-1) at U.T. Rio Grande Valley (2-3, 1-2), 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+, from Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg. The Vaqueros are popular. Late Thursday night, the cheapest ticket was $123. By comparison: SC at Florida, $36; Ole Miss at Vandy, $32; Tennessee at Arky, $32. Go figure.
Gordon, here is the lineup of games for the Ivy League this weekend. You can stream the Harvard game with Cornell on ESPN+ (12:00 noon CDT). Dartmouth at Yale, 11:00 a.m. on ESPNU will be good.
Hook ‘Em
Good article in The Alcalde about Hook ‘Em
Get to Know Hook ’Em—the Longhorn, the Myth, and the Mascot | The Alcalde
The University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890 as Norman Territorial University in the area of Indian Territory that was “claimed” by boomers and sooners. They do a lot of weather research at OU. More meteorologists graduate from Oklahoma than any other university.
Academic Rankings |
||
National |
||
Texas |
Oklahoma |
|
| Forbes | 46 | 113 |
| U.S. News & World Report | 30 (#7 public) | 110 |
| WSJ/College Pulse | 49 | 142 |
| Global | ||
| ARWU | 49 | 401-500 |
| QS | 72 | 664 |
| THE | 50 | * |
| U.S. News & World Report | 56 | 528 |
My favorite Land Thieves football quote is from OU president George Lynn Cross (a very bright guy – Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Chicago). Cross, who was in a budget meeting with Oklahoma legislators (I am guessing around the Wilkerson Era), was asked why OU needed more money. Cross replied: “I would like to build a University of which the football team could be proud.” Aspirational thoughts are so important. But respect for his grammar!
The etymology of Boomer Sooner: “Boomers were those who by constant agitation tried to bring about the opening of Oklahoma to settlers before 1889, and Sooners were the settlers who slipped in to stay before the gun was fired. In 1905, Arthur M. Alden, a history and physiology student, wrote the lyrics to the university’s “Boomer Sooner”, borrowing the tune from Yale’s “Boola-Boola” but improvising on the words. A year later an addition was made to it from North Carolina’s “I’m a Tarheel Born” and the two combined form the university’s battle song of today.” Yale, the University of North Carolina, and OU. “One of these things is not like the other things”.
The book: BOOM TOWN: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding, Its Apocalyptic Weather, Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-Class Metropolis.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/08/how-oklahoma-city-was-born-in-a-day.html
From the article:
Consider, for instance, OKC’s bizarre origin story. It reads less like an episode of actual history than a spaghetti western written by a faulty algorithm. The place was founded on a single afternoon, in an event called the Land Run, during which a formerly empty patch of prairie became a city of 10,000. The chaos that ensued was so alarming that the U.S. government never allowed anything quite like it to happen again. This formative absurdity set the tone for everything that followed: the shootouts and power grabs and even – eventually – NBA basketball.
Oklahoma City was born in an event called, with extreme dramatic understatement, the Land Run. The Land Run should be called something like “Chaos Explosion Apocalypse Town” or “Reckoning of the DoomSettlers: Clusterfµ€k on the Prairie.”
The bugle notes had yet to fade when, like some kind of ancient creation myth, the empty landscape sprouted people. It was an ambush of settlers. … These were, in the lingo of the times, Sooners, or Moonlighters. We would call them cheaters. … At the sound of the bugle, all of the cheaters came running. The land was free, they knew, only for those who got there first.
“I’m a Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I’ll be Sooner dead.” Majestic prose, without a doubt.
Week Five in the Southeastern Conference
No. 8 Alabama 56, No. 16 Mississippi State 23. Keelon Russell accounted for four touchdowns, including three passing, with 285 passing yards. Alabama forced four turnovers and extended its winning streak against State to 17 games. Crimson Tide were favored by 6, and the over/under was 60.5. Kamario Taylor getting hurt didn’t help, but doubt it would have mattered. A dominating win for Bama.
Vanderbilt 14, No. 2 Georgia 38. Gunner Stockton threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia led 21-14 at halftime. Bulldogs were favored by 25.5; I said Georgia to win and cover. Not half bad.
No. 8 Florida 17, No. 25 Missouri 45. Holy cow. Didn’t see that coming. Austin Simmons passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns, and Jamal Roberts rushed for 211 yards and three TDs. Tigers held Jadan Baugh to 13 yards on 12 carries, and Missouri recorded its largest margin of victory against a top-10 opponent.
Auburn 14, No. 17 Tennessee 24. DeSean Bishop rushed for a career-high 220 yards and three touchdowns. Against Texas, he had 34 yards on 11 carries, didn’t sniff the end zone. Tennessee was favored by 7. “I will take the Vols to win, Tigers to cover.” Push.
No. 24 Kentucky 35, South Carolina 34, in OT.
Arkansas 7, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 34. Aggies rushed for 231 yards and 4 scores; Marcel Reed had 66 of that. The Pigs managed 214 yards of offense.
McNeese State 14, No. 11 Louisiana State 63.
Week Five – Service Academies
Navy 9, Air Force 14. Falcon quarterback Liam Szarka scored both Air Force touchdowns on the ground. He rushed for 81 yards, leading the AFA on its way to 188 yards, against Navy’s rush defense which was ranked No. 8, allowing just 65.67 ypg. Falcons were favored by 3.5
Army 29, Louisiana Tech 31. Army’s Samari Howard rushed for a career-high 158 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown, but Louisiana Tech outgained Army 503-421 with 259 yards in the air and 244 rushing. Tough loss for Army against Terry Bradshaw’s alma mater.
Top 25 – Week Five
No. 3 Notre Dame 37, North Carolina 26. When UNC returned the second half kickoff for touchdown to cut the Irish lead to 21-20 (Belichick attempted a 2 point conversion which failed), I was a bit nervous. But the Fighting Irish responded with 16 unanswered points and got the win. CJ Carr completed 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns. Tar Heels covered; missed big there.
Central Florida 17, No. 20 Houston 27. Conner Weigman’s three rushing touchdowns powered the Cougar comeback. Houston held UCF to 48 fourth-quarter yards.
Boston College 16, No. 21 Southern Methodist 25.
No. 5 Ohio State 31, No. 14 Iowa 14. Jeremiah Smith caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, setting Ohio State career records for receptions and touchdown catches. He will have some nice hardware this winter. The Buckeyes outgained the Hawkeyes 484-238.
No. 10 Brigham Young 17, Texas Christian 10. Bear Bachmeier rushed for two touchdowns. Faletau Satuala’s interception and 59-yard return helped the Cougars survive a wet evening in Fort Worth. Not good for Sonny. Frogs needed a win.
No. 4 Miami (FL) 41, Clemson 13.
No. 12 Texas Tech 29, Colorado 7. A comically painful night for the Buffs and Coach Prime. Sand Aggies had 4 interceptions, including a pick 6. Sand Aggies easily cover the 13.5 point line.
Washington 21, No. 18 Southern Cal 25. Trojans won thanks to a 48 yard fumble return and a good night for Maiava.
Utah State 18, No. 22 Boise State 37. Broncos covered.
No. 6 Indiana 47, Rutgers 15. Hoosiers cover. 21 straight wins.
Week Five – Other Games of Interest
Leland Stanford Junior University 3, Wake Forest 57. Wake was favored by 14. The Demon Deacons were consistent: 15 points first quarter, 14 second, 14 third, 14 fourth.
Virginia 7, Florida State 38. Tough loss, especially when the Hoos were favored by 2.5
Bowling Green 24, Miami 20. Ugly loss for the RedHawks.
Maryland 23, Nebraska 48. Good win for Big Red.
UTEP 7, New Mexico 61. Who are these guys?
Slippery Rock remains undefeated after a 49-10 win over Gannon.
U.T. Rio Grande Valley 17, East Texas A&M 20. Vaqueros lost on a last second 51 yard field goal. Long bus ride from Commerce to the Valley.
U.T. San Antonio 16, Rice 14. Roadrunners did not cover Rice.
Washington & Lee University
The Generals beat the Averett Cougars 34-7, led by a ground game that gained 287 yards and scored 4 touchdowns while holding Averett to 73 yards rushing. The W&L passing attack is a bit less productive – 2/10 for 66 yards. Six Generals with 20 or more yards rushing, led by Carter Shallcross who had 85 yards on 7 carries, including a 50 yard touchdown run.
Saturday, the Generals welcome No. 23 Randolph-Macon College to Wilson Field. Kickoff is at one o’clock in the afternoon, Shenandoah Valley time. The Yellow Jackets lead the series, which dates to 1903, 37-33-3, and RMC has won 7 of the last 10. W&L does have a 19-15-3 home records.
Jacy and John report that it was a great Parents’ Weekend in Lexington. Hayes is a freshman.
Lance Loeffler, General Lee, John Donovan
The Polls
ESPN’s FPI
Full analytics, with the probabilities for winning out, winning the SEC, making the playoffs, etc.
2026 College Football Power Index – ESPN
Bill Connelly’s SP+
Massey Rating & Composite
Statistician Kenneth Massey uses “the mathematical theory of least squares to solve a massive system of equations that processes all game outcomes simultaneously. Rather than looking at box score statistics like rushing yards or turnovers, it only tracks three raw inputs: the final score, the game location, and the date.” The three pillars are Outcome, Margin of Victory, and Strength of Schedule.
Massey Rating: Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami (Florida), Utah, Oregon, Texas Tech
| Team | Rec | Rat | Pwr | Off | Def | HFA | SoS | SSF | EW | EL |
| Texas | 4-0 | 2
9.09 |
8
79.31 |
14
64.49 |
2
42.78 |
2.32 | 1
68.82 |
2
69.00 |
5.99 | 2.01 |
| OU | 2-2 | 28
8.18 |
17
72.21 |
49
59.52 |
7
40.65 |
2.38 | 2
66.07 |
1
69.32 |
4.27 | 3.73 |
Rat: Rating overall strength
Pwr: Power rating
Off: Offensive power to score
Def: Defensive power to prevent opponent from scoring
HFA: Home Field Advantage
SoS: Strength of Schedule – played games only
SSF: Strength of Schedule – including future games
EW: Expected Wins for remainder of schedule
EL: Expected Losses for remainder of schedule
Massey Composite: Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami (FL), Georgia, Ohio State, Indiana, Utah, Louisiana State, Texas Tech.
PFF
Power Rankings:
PEAR Ratings
Those of you who were in the Beta test group for the Texas Baseball version of the Dispatch this past spring may recall the PEAR Ratings. I found them interesting and insightful. The guy who does this actually started with college football.
Ratings:
The Land Thieves are ranked 24th, with a TSR of 13.2.
FBS Football Ratings | PEARatings
Stats: FBS Football Statistics | PEARatings
CFP Resume Rankings
This guy does CFP resume rankings. You have to look closely, as Texas is in the very top right hand corner. Home | Cfpresumerankings
The Verne Lundquist Sports Media Institute
I am regularly amazed at how fortunate I am to get to be involved in so many cool activities in Austin. One of my very favorites is the Verne Lundquist Sports Media Institute. The Institute is in the Moody College of Communication at the University. Founded in 2019, under the leadership of Mark Morrison we have raised close to half a million dollars to fund an annual scholarship for an aspiring sports journalist and to help fund the annual sports journalism boot camp for high school students, hosted by the UT Center for Sports Communication & Media. Being part of the leadership team that helps organize the annual Evening with Verne Lundquist is a triple blessing. First, our committee is filled with great friends. Nancy and Verne Lundquist, leader Mark, plus Patti Ohlendorf, Amy Villarreal, Ed “Mr. Radio” Clements, John Robinson & Sharon Schweitzer, Cedric Golden, the legendary Neal Spelce, and the wonderful Executive Director of the Headliners Foundation, Alison Unger. Last year one of the founding members of our team, Griff Singer, passed away. He is missed. A fun group, all of whom are in the photo below (from last year) except Ced. Don’t know where Golden was.
Second, the event itself is just incredibly fun and entertaining. This year’s special guest was Terry Bradshaw, and – oh my goodness – it was exceptionally funny. And colorful. Below, our great emcee and my great friend, Ed Clements, with Verne and Terry. More from Wednesday night.
Finally, Verne Lundquist is one of my sports broadcasting heroes. Growing up a Cowboys fan in Tyler in the 1960s and 70s, and being that my dad would only watch WFAA news, it is fair to say that I have been watching and been a fan of Verne for well over half a century. Being able to sit down with Verne and Nancy and usually some of the other Lundquisters (as Mark Morrison has named us) and hear Verne tell stories is amazing.
So, a reminder: I do this newsletter for fun and because of my love of the Longhorns and college football, but I really, really appreciate it when readers help support the causes I love and feature. Your support of the Lundquist Institute is one of those that is most deserving. Donate here.
Special thanks to my friends who have been generous supporters and sponsors for years. Barry Barksdale, Tim Crowley and Frost Bank; Gary Farmer, Laura Beurlein, Michael Cooper and Heritage Title Company; Stuart Shaw (a sponsor and always a generous bidder at the auction); Kent Lance and HPI Texas; Neel White, Walt Ferguson, and White Construction; and Bryan Plater and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Gracias amigos.
As you probably gathered from the photo above, last year’s special guest was Archie Manning. To give you an idea of how cool the event is, here is the link to the video of Verne’s Stories from the Sidelines with Mr. Manning.
https://vimeo.com/1091292736?fl=pl&fe=sh
And a couple more from last year.
Griff, TCT, Ted Koy
Music
George Strait, If it Wasn’t for Texas
Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, live with San Antonio Rose
Django Walker, Texas Longhorn – the SEC Version
Pat Green and Cory Morrow, Texas On My Mind
Asleep At The Wheel, Miles and Miles of Texas
Cross Canadian Ragweed, Boys From Oklahoma
Jim Nicar
Appropriate that the week of the Lundquist Institute dinner, Jim posts about The Daily Texan. First daily newspaper experience for many great journalists.
One. Two . . . Six!
Happy 126th Birthday to U.T. Austin’s Daily Texan student newspaper, which made its first appearance on October 8, 1900. At first, the Texan was a weekly, then semi-weekly, and in 1913, UT students voted to make it a daily source of campus news.
From Jim’s October 8, 2026 post on X.
Picture of the Week
As I looked at this photo it struck me that when the 2028 season rolls around and I feature great photos of downtown Austin that include 100 Congress, it will no longer be my office. We moved in May of 1987, and sometime in 2028 Jackson Walker will be moving to the Republic. Going to miss my view of Town Lake.
From JType’s October 7, 2026 post on Instagram.
On X: @tctayloratx
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On Instagram: @tctayloratx
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You can contact me by mail:
Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371