Texas Faces Oklahoma in Red River Rivalry at Cotton Bowl

No. 1 Texas puts its unbeaten record on the line against Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The college football matchup features quarterbacks Arch Manning and John Mateer, with Texas seeking to extend its winning streak and Oklahoma looking to reverse its recent slide.

According to game previews published by USA Today and Yahoo Sports, kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with ABC carrying the national broadcast. The game is also available through streaming services that carry the network, including ESPN Unlimited and YouTube TV.

Texas enters the rivalry with a 4-0 record after winning its first four games of the season, according to Fubo's preview. The Longhorns have risen to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll and will attempt to maintain that position against their longtime rival.

Manning has thrown for 862 yards and seven touchdowns this season, according to Fubo. Wide receiver Ryan Wingo leads Texas' receiving options with 19 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Hollywood Smothers has recorded 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, enters the game at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in Southeastern Conference play. The Sooners are coming off a bye week after suffering a 41-13 loss to Georgia two weeks earlier, according to Fubo's report, and have lost two of their last three games.

Mateer has accumulated 883 passing yards and eight touchdowns despite some inconsistent performances, Fubo reported. Receiver Isaiah Sategna leads Oklahoma with 20 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Sooners a key offensive option against the top-ranked Longhorns.

The rivalry has also drawn attention from the governors of both states. USA Today reported that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt exchanged public challenges ahead of the game, with each backing their state's team.

Stitt expressed confidence in Oklahoma's chances of upsetting the top-ranked Longhorns in a post on X.

"It's Red River Rivalry time! I've got a feeling our Sooners are going to pull off the upset!" Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote on X.

Abbott responded by putting Texas pride and barbecue on the line in the friendly exchange.

"@GovStitt, I bet you a case of Lone Star Beer and Railhead BBQ the Longhorns will PREVAIL tomorrow on the field. Hook 'em!" Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X.

The annual contest is part of the Week 6 college football schedule and brings together two programs seeking different outcomes: Texas aims to preserve its perfect start, while Oklahoma hopes to use its break between games to regain momentum in its first season stretch within SEC competition.