Six Players Fans Need to Look Out For During the Red River Rivalry Between Texas and Oklahoma

The Red River Rivalry is played every year, but this time marks a first for the historic game. It will be the first time the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners face off as SEC programs.

Regardless of rankings, the game is always emphatically chaotic and close, but it is worth noting that the Longhorns are coming into it ranked No. 1 in the country. Something that last occurred 40 years ago.

Both teams have had different journeys up to this point, as Texas has dominated throughout the season, winning by an average of 38 points. They were able to establish themselves as the best team in college football even though starting quarterback Quinn Ewers missed the last two games with an oblique injury. As for Oklahoma, they come into this game ranked No. 18 in the country, but unlike past years where the offense carried them, their defense has been the team's strength.

The Sooners made a quarterback change during their Week 4 loss to Tennessee, benching former five-star Jackson Arnold in favor of Michael Hawkins Jr.

While the Longhorns are favored by 14.5, we've learned to throw out all expectations regarding this rivalry. Anything can happen at the Cotton Bowl, and while many are expecting this year's rendition to look like Texas' 49-0 win from a couple of years ago, the Sooners will do everything in their power to make a statement.

With both teams having an opportunity to make a statement, here are six players that everyone should watch during the game.

Michael Hawkins Jr., QB, Oklahoma

The Sooners threw the three-star freshman into the fire for the team's last game, as his first college start came against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. He not only led them to a victory but showcased an ability to make plays with his arms and his legs. In three appearances this season, he's thrown for 310 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 101 yards and a score.

Hawkins may be the best quarterback that Texas has faced this year, and he is certainly the best dual threat they have seen. If Oklahoma is to win or keep this game close, the performance of Hawkins will absolutely be a factor in one way or another.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

Everyone in college football is quite familiar with Quinn Ewers. In fact, before he went down in Week 3, he was the favorite for the Heisman. This marks the second time in his three-year Texas career that he missed time and returned for the Red River Rivalry game.

For Ewers, he has a chance to re-introduce himself to a college football world that has been obsessing over his backup, Arch Manning, while he was out. This won't be the easiest of welcome-back games, as the Sooners have a top-50 defense and rank No. 5 in college football in turnovers forced. We will see if he can shake off the rust quickly and pick up where he left off.

R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

The Sooners rank No. 5 in college football in sacks on the season with 19, and pass rusher R Mason Thomas is leading the charge. He has a career-high 5.5 sacks already, and according to PFF, he has a pass-rushing grade of 85.8.

Texas has one of the best offensive lines in all of college football, allowing just five sacks all year, but Thomas will be looking to test the Longhorns and make Ewers' return a bit uncomfortable.

Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas

One thing that Texas has been missing in past years is a game-changing pass rusher. You would have to go back to 2018 to find the last time a Longhorn had more than 6.5 sacks, and while many thought UTSA transfer Trey Moore could eclipse that mark, it seems that it'll be a true freshman instead. Five-star freshman Colin Simmons may have the quickest get-off in college football, and through five games has four sacks.

The Longhorns will need him to continue to wreak havoc against an Oklahoma offensive line that is still trying to figure things out. According to PFF , Simmons grades out as the No. 7 EDGE in all of college football with an overall grade of 89.2 and a pass-rushing grade of 90.2.

Brenen Thompson, WR, Oklahoma

This is a player that Texas fans may be more familiar with than Oklahoma fans just based on how high their hopes were for him. The former four-star recruit with track speed started his career at Texas before transferring to Oklahoma before the 2023 season. There is a lot at stake for Thompson who would likely love some revenge, but also a chance to prove he deserves a more prominent role in the Sooners' offense.

Thompson has 10 catches for 106 yards and a score this season, but with the Sooners missing their top five receivers, they'll need someone to step up. This is where Thompson comes into play. If he is able to give Hawkins a reliable target and the Sooners a big-play threat, it may open up things for the rest of the offense.

Quintrevion Wisner, RB, Texas

Similar to Oklahoma's issues at receiver, Texas has been pretty shallow at running back this season. They've had to move a couple of players around to provide more depth, but second-year running back Quintrevion Wisner has taken advantage of his opportunities. If touches were any indication of who the staff trust, it appears that Wisner may have gotten himself a lot of it in Texas' game against Mississippi State.

With Jaydon Blue fumbling twice, the Longhorns leaned more on Wisner. While Steve Sarkisian has already assured the media that they still trust Blue, it'd be hard to imagine that Wisner isn't the lead back on Saturday. If Wisner can prove to be a threat, it'll open up the play-action pass, which is where Ewers thrives the most.

It goes without saying, these games typically have an unexpected hero, and Wisner may end up being that guy this year.