Once again, the Red River Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma will likely determine at least one of the participants of the Big 12 championship game — perhaps for the last time.
It's no secret the Longhorns and Sooners are jumping ship, as their announced defection to the SEC over the summer quickly became the college football storyline of the offseason, spurring renewed conference realignment battles and dwarfing talks of NIL deals and an expanded College Football Playoff.
Now, here's hoping the game is as entertaining as the storylines these teams have created.
BENDER: Will Bijan Robinson channel past Horns' Heisman winners in Red River Showdown?
No. 6 Oklahoma is the betting favorite heading into this one, boasting an undefeated, 5-0 record and top 10 ranking by the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll. But the Sooners haven't looked anything like world-beaters, fighting to four wins of only one possession over Tulane — which played as the home team in Norman after getting displaced by Hurricane Ida — Nebraska, West Virginia and Kansas State. Their only win that didn't follow that formula was against FCS opponent Western Carolina in a 76-0 slaughter.
Spencer Rattler has played well enough, but looks nothing like the Heisman Trophy front runner people expected before the start of the season. He has completed 122 of 160 passes (76.3 percent) for 1,260 yards and 10 touchdowns to four interceptions. Still, he has only passed for multiple touchdowns in two games all season, against Western Carolina (five) and Kansas State (two). He'll need to have a big game on Saturday, and will need some additional help from running back Kennedy Brooks: The fifth-year running back has yet to eclipse the 100-yard mark in a game this season, but has an impressive 5.9 yards-per-carry average en route to 318 yards and four scores.
Conversely, look for No. 21 Texas' offense to run through running back Bijan Robinson, who ranks first nationally in yards from scrimmage (819), second in rushing yards (652) and has seven rushing touchdowns on top of an absurd 6.2 yards-per-carry average. Don't overlook quarterback Casey Thompson, either; the son of former Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson has 707 passing yards and nine touchdowns to three interceptions this year. The Longhorns can't afford another loss this year after getting hammered by Arkansas 40-21 in Week 2.
WIth that, Sporting News breaks down how to watch the Red River Showdown between No. 21 Texas and No. 6 Oklahoma in Dallas:
MORE: Watch Texas vs. Oklahoma live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is Texas vs. Oklahoma on today?
- TV channel (national): ABC
- Live stream: ESPN app, fuboTV
This Red River Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma will be broadcast nationally on ABC.
Texas vs. Oklahoma start time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 9
- Kickoff: Noon ET
Texas vs. Oklahoma will kick off at noon ET from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
MORE: Oklahoma vs. Texas odds, prediction, betting trends for Red River Showdown
Texas schedule 2021
| Opponent | Date | Outcome |
| at No. 23 Louisiana | Sept. 4 | Texas 38, Louisiana 18 |
| at Arkansas | Sept. 11 | Arkansas 40, Texas 21 |
| vs. Rice | Sept. 18 | Texas 58, Rice 0 |
| vs. Texas Tech | Sept. 25 | Texas 70, Texas Tech 35 |
| at TCU | Oct. 2 | Texas 32, TCU 27 |
| vs. No. 6 Oklahoma (Dallas) | Oct. 9 | TBD |
| vs. No. 12 Oklahoma State | Oct. 16 | TBD |
| Bye | Oct. 23 | N/A |
| at Baylor | Oct. 30 | N/A |
| at Iowa State | Nov. 6 | TBD |
| vs. Kansas | Nov. 13 | TBD |
| at West Virginia | Nov. 20 | TBD |
| vs. Kansas State | Nov. 27 | TBD |
Oklahoma schedule 2021
| Opponent | Date | Outcome |
| at Tulane (Norman, Okla.) | Sept. 4 | Oklahoma 40, Tulane 35 |
| vs. Western Carolina | Sept. 11 | Oklahoma 76, Western Carolina 0 |
| vs. Nebraska | Sept. 18 | Oklahoma 23, Nebraska 17 |
| vs. West Virginia | Sept. 25 | Oklahoma 16, West Virginia 13 |
| at Kansas State | Oct. 2 | Oklahoma 37, Kansas State 31 |
| vs. No. 21 Texas (Dallas) | Oct. 9 | TBD |
| vs. TCU | Oct. 16 | TBD |
| at Kansas | Oct. 23 | TBD |
| vs. Texas Tech | Oct. 30 | TBD |
| Bye | Nov. 6 | N/A |
| at Baylor | Nov. 13 | TBD |
| vs. Iowa State | Nov. 20 | TBD |
| at No. 12 Oklahoma State | Nov. 27 | TBD |
