Early rivalry game odds for Texas vs. Oklahoma revealed

If Texas wins its final Red River Showdown in Big 12 play over arch rival Oklahoma, the Longhorns might be back.

Red River will continue forever and always, but we only get one more of these between Oklahoma and Texas in Big 12 play.

With these two massive rivals leaving the Big 12 for the SEC in 2024, the showdown at the Texas State Fair could be for all the marbles. Although it has not been that in recent years, one would think OU and Texas will want to be gearing up for the leap into the SEC. Both can have success in their new league, but one will probably be in a better position for the big transition than the other.

FanDuel Sportsbook released a handful of betting odds for intriguing rivalry games for this season.

Texas opened at a 5.5-point favorite over Oklahoma in the neutral-site affair over in Dallas.

Let’s discuss what it means and what may be in store for both teams in their final Big 12 season.

Texas could think about being back if the Longhorns beat Oklahoma in Red River

Last year’s installment of Red River saw Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns take Brent Venables’ Sooners to the woodshed. It was huge step in the right direction for Sarkisian’s program in year two. Although Venables still achieved bowl eligibility in year one, he faces a ton of pressure entering his second season on the job. Simply put, the Sooners need to win at least eight games.

That is what it took for some of the pressure to be taken off Sarkisian’s seat in Austin. Although the Longhorns may not win the Big 12 in its final season in the conference, they have more positive momentum than OU. However, Oklahoma doesn’t play anybody in the non-conference. The Sooners had their game with Georgia canceled. Meanwhile, Texas still has to play Alabama…

With that game in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide are laying 9.5 points to the visiting Longhorns. Although Texas will not be punished for playing a worthy adversary in the non-conference, they are probably not winning that game either. Regardless, the Longhorns could be eliminated from playoff contention before Halloween if they were to lose in Tuscaloosa and then fall in Red River.

What the bookmakers suggest is Texas is the better team over Oklahoma this season. They would not be wrong in that assessment. However, Oklahoma is the stronger traditional power over them. If Venables figures it out in year two, the Sooners could pop and get back to being what they typically are. Frankly, Red River will serve as a major litmus test game for both conference rivals.

Ultimately, we may see one of these teams returning to the metroplex in early December to play for a conference title, but not both. Teams like Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and TCU are always menacing. Let’s not forget that the Big 12 is a 14-team league for this season and this season only with BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF all getting the bump up into Power Five play.

Let’s be real. The loser of Red River is going to be in very bad shape heading into the SEC in 2024.

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