Steve Sarkisian expects to face 'best version' of Oklahoma

On3 imageby:Griffin McVeigh10/04/22

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When Texas and Oklahoma step onto the field at the Cotton Bowl, you can throw any prior history out the window. This is said of a lot of rivalries but when it comes to the Red River Showdown, it’s true. Anything can happen in Dallas on the second Saturday of October.

Both teams are 3-2 entering the game but heading in opposite directions. Texas got back on track with a dominant win against West Virginia last week, while Oklahoma has dropped their last two. Even with the struggles in Norman, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is expecting the “best version” of the Sooners.

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“I don’t know how we could think to ever do that,” Sarkisian said on his team not committed during Oklahoma week. “This rivalry, this game, and what it all stands for and the way these two teams have played in these games for decades — we know more than ever we’re going to get the best version of them. We need to make sure they get the best version of us.”

If you include the 2018 Big 12 championship game, Oklahoma has won the last four matchups in the series. Still, all of the games have been close and at one point, anybody’s to take. Sarkisian fell victim to that after having a huge first-half lead before Kennedy Brooks scored a game-winning touchdown in the final minute.

Texas will have to compete for all 60 minutes.

Steve Sarkisian compliments Oklahoma, coaching staff

If anybody knows the struggles of a first season at a new program, it’s Sarkisian. Texas got off to a less than ideal start under the former Alabama offensive coordinator, losing six straight at one point and finishing 5-7. Venables is far from that level at this point.

Sarkisian said Oklahoma is a “really well-coached” team, even with the struggles. He said the Longhorns will have to play well on Saturday to bring the Golden Hat back to Austin.

“They are a very talented team. They’re an extremely well-coached team. We go through ebbs and flows of the season. New coaching staff, new team. We went through it too but this team is really good and they play really hard. They’re really well-coached. We have our work cut out for us. We need to play a very good football game to be victorious.”