Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. now has even more of a reason to perform well vs. Texas

The Oklahoma Sooners are about to play their biggest game of the season. Of course, I don't have to tell you that, because you already know. The Red River Rivalry is usually the most important game of the season for both teams, every season. But, this one has a few new twists.

First, let's start with the fact that this is the first SEC matchup between these two teams. The Sooners have already had their first SEC win, as they beat the Auburn Tigers before the bye week, and the Texas Longhorns beat Mississippi State last game before their bye week this last week.

Of course, the other twist is that Michael Hawkins Jr. is going to be starting this game as a true freshman, which is absolutely insane to think about. And, he will have someone there watching him, someone that thinks he has a chance to steal his job in a few years. So, this game just got even more important for Hawkins.

According to Adam Gorney, 2026 four-star quarterback and Oklahoma commit Jaden O'Neal will be at the Red River Rivalry this weekend in Dallas, Texas.

O'Neal is good, and while he won't get the start most likely as a freshman in 2026 because of Hawkins, you have to think, we also thought the same thing about Hawkins with Jackson Arnold, who was benched against the Tennessee Volunteers. You truly don't know what can happen between now and then.

So, Hawkins has to play a huge game, obviously.

Related: Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables seems to think Michael Hawkins passed the ultimate litmus test