On3 Roundtable: Why this year’s Red River Rivalry result will be different for Oklahoma

The Red River Rivalry is going to look a little different this year for Oklahoma as the Sooners take on Texas one more time as Big 12 opponents before going to the SEC.

Oklahoma was boat raced in the game last season. However, Dillon Gabriel wasn’t available at quarterback last year. But the optics of a Red River blowout loss weren’t good for head coach Brent Venables.

SoonerScoop’s Carey Murdock joined J.D. PicKell on the On3 Roundtable to discuss what will be different in 2023.

“Well, first off, you would expect that they would have Dillon Gabriel as their starting quarterback this time around,” Murdock said. “That was a disaster last year, 49-0. It was not fun. I don’t think for either side, I mean for at least for the guys covering that thing, it was over in you know, it never really got to a point where you could judge one team against another because the quarterback situation was so awful. 

“Davis Beville (was in) and it was a few weeks where it just created a lot of doubt about (offensive coordinator) Jeff Lebby because he wouldn’t switch to another quarterback besides Davis Beville. So that was such a disaster. It’s hard for me to really sit here and take something out of that game that would transfer to what’s coming up this year.”

There are a lot of expert picks of Oklahoma taking giant leaps this fall. Does that mean a Big 12 Championship?

It could, but the Sooners have to get through Red River against Texas first, another favorite in the conference.

You know, it’s tough because I think Texas, they probably can lay claim to having the best young offensive line,” Murdock said. “And you know, with Oklahoma we don’t know about their defensive line. I mean, they recruited a lot of guys, they brought in a lot of guys, they’ve shifted guys around like Jonah La’ulu, who is now an interior guy and he’s trying to put on weight. 

“But you know, how effective are they going to be? And they’re not going to need a Bijan Robinson if that defensive line isn’t any good to be able to move the ball and you know? I think the secondary should be a lot better for Oklahoma this year. Obviously, you know, Quinn Ewers had a big game last year. And that was probably the highlight of his season. It all seemed to kind of go downhill a little bit for him after that.”

Oklahoma and Texas square off in Red River Oct. 7, so get your popcorn ready.