This has come down significantly to -4.5 most places an hour before kickoff, and that slides it just under the threshold I had earmarked for this game. While the revenge factor certainly points in Oklahoma's favor after a 49-0 drubbing last season, Texas has faced a far tougher road to this point and been far more consistent this season. The Sooners' wild margins appear to be fool's gold -- at least to a degree. Where the difference will some Saturday is up front. Look for the Longhorns' DL can get pressure on Dillon Gabriel and stop the run.

This one has all the makings for another wild shootout for which the rivalry is known and it wouldn't be surprising if it clips the Over with room to spare. The side is a tougher call but the Over is a solid position.

These offense are poised to explode in this renewed rivalry. The Sooners are averaging 47.4 PPG and the Longhorns are averaging 36.0 PPG. Oklahoma's defense has been one of the biggest surprises of the season in my eyes. However, they haven't faced an offense like this yet. The offenses in this battle should outweigh the defenses. Don't know who wins, but I'm expecting this game to be in the 37-34 range. Take the over.

Take the Sooners plus the points. This is one of the biggest rivalry games of the year. You can throw out all of the stats and records for games as big as this one. Oklahoma lost 49-0 last year giving them just a bit more focus and energy. Ben Venables was in his first year as the Oklahoma coach last year. OU QB Dillon Gabriel is completing 75% of his passes for 10.1 yards per pass, 15 touchdowns with two interceptions.

I'll preface this by saying anything can happen in the Red River Rivalry. That said, Texas, in its third season of Steve Sarkisian's rebuild project, is on a different level than Oklahoma, in its second season of Brent Venables'. The Sooners' offense had trouble with Cincinnati's defensive front, and the Longhorns' defensive front is one of the best in the country. Oklahoma, which ranks 92nd in the country in yards per rush (4.0), will have a difficult time running on Texas. On the other side of the ball, the Sooners' defensive improvement has been impressive, but they haven't faced a team ranked in the top 40 in scoring offense. If the Longhorns don't lose the turnover battle and don't settle for field goals, they cover.

With the Red River Rivalry moving to the SEC next year, it no longer will be held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas but instead will rotate among various Waffle House parking lots. Still never had WH ... at least that I can, ahem, remember. I was really hoping for 7 here but I'm now seeing 6s and a few 5.5s so we better go now with our one book still at 6.5. Other than last year, these are ALWAYS close games. OU leads the Big 12 in scoring offense and defense and absolutely could win so we'll take the points. The team that wins the turnover battle is 14-7 this century. OU is No. 5 nationally in turnover margin and Texas 18th.

This line should be a tad under five points, and I must trust my numbers. It's worth noting that although Texas defeated Alabama as a 7-point road underdog, the Crimson Tide had significant quarterback issues at the time. The Sooners will be highly motivated after losing 49-0 last year, especially since QB Dillon Gabriel missed that game. Texas is just 1-7 against the spread in its last eight contests before its BYE week. It's going to be close one, so grab the points.

The Red River Rivalry is usually a close one as eight of the last ten meetings have been decided by one score. Texas routed the Sooners, 49-0 in 2022 so you'd have to think OU is out for payback. Oklahoma has been firing on all cylinders this season and leads the Big 12 in points per game (47.4) and points allowed per game (10.8). I could see the upset here but for now I'll just take the points. Texas 34, Oklahoma 31.