Brent Venables considers how Red River Rivalry has changed over the years

No. 6 Oklahoma and Texas will meet this Saturday afternoon. It will be the 121st edition of the ‘Red River Rivalry‘.

As always, storylines are running rampant throughout this matchup. Is John Mateer going to be available to return early from a hand injury? Can now-unranked Texas bounce back from its loss to Florida? Is Oklahoma worthy of a No. 6 ranking? We’ll find out this weekend in Dallas.

Ahead of the game, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables reminisced on how the ‘Red River Rivalry’ has changed over the years. Prior to being hired as Oklahoma‘s head coach in 2022, Venables served as OU’s associate head coach/defensive coordinator from 1999-2011.

“I don’t think there’s a better rivalry in all of college football,” Venables said. “It’s certainly debatable but the pageantry that goes along with this and then the passion and intensity and ESPN GameDay will be there (although it’s actually going to Oregon/Indiana). I don’t know how many times it has been, but I bet it’s been a lot. The history between the two programs is special and it doesn’t ever get old. It doesn’t get old. Not any bit whatsoever.”

Venables lauds great respect for Texas’ program and history

“My first game, and I talked about it on my radio show last night, but we got up 17-0 and we ended up losing the game,” Venables continued. “Then we went on a four or five game win streak there and there’s just been some streaks throughout history.”

“We’ve been on the right side for the last 25 years more often than not, but a lot of pride in both programs and a lot of hate in the heart everybody has for each other fanbase wise. I’ve got great respect for their program and the rich history and tradition for this game and what it means for everybody.”

Texas leads the all-time series 64-51-5, but Oklahoma has won 11 of the last 16 meetings between the two bitter rivals. Last season’s game marked the first ‘Red River Rivalry’ game that has taken place with both teams being in the Southeastern Conference. The Longhorns rolled the Sooners 34-3 thanks to 177 total rushing yards and a solid performance from quarterback Quinn Ewers.

As Oklahoma‘s head coach, Venables is 1-2 in games against Texas. Texas‘ Steve Sarkisian, who took over one season prior to Venables in 2021, is 2-2 against the Sooners.

Kickoff for this year’s meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ABC.