Red River Rivalry 2026

Red River Rivalry 2026: Texas vs Oklahoma Date, TV, Prediction

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Red River Rivalry 2026 prediction: Texas gets past Oklahoma by around 10. Texas and Oklahoma meet Saturday, October 10, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The game starts at 2:30 PM CT, which is 3:30 PM ET. It airs on ABC. Texas comes in at No. 1 and is 4-0. Oklahoma sits at 2-2 and is not ranked right now. This rivalry often turns preseason hype on its head. More details on when to watch, who seems to have the advantage, and the full pick are right below.

Red River Rivalry 2026: Date, Time and TV

ItemDetails
DateSaturday, October 10, 2026
Kickoff2:30 PM CT / 3:30 PM ET (about 1:00 AM IST, Sunday, in India)
TVABC (some listings also mention ESPN)
LocationCotton Bowl, Dallas (State Fair of Texas)
SeriesTexas leads 65-51-5
Last meetingTexas won 23-6 in 2025
TrophyGolden Hat (held by Texas)

Both teams do not play on October 3. That means Texas and Oklahoma both get more days to get ready. Lines were not posted widely when this was written. Look at a sportsbook for the latest point spread.

Texas: The No. 1 Team With Little Margin

Texas also has the top resume this season. The Longhorns handled Ohio State on September 12, winning 24-23. They scored three straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter. After that, they had to hold on away from home at Tennessee. Texas won 20-17 in that game. In the AP poll from last week, Texas got 58 of 69 first-place votes. Still, the results were not runaway wins, so the talk about the No. 1 spot keeps getting louder.

Georgia and Notre Dame are part of that argument too. Versus Tennessee, Arch Manning was 14 of 19 passing for 201 yards. He threw one interception. Raleek Brown had 17 carries for 67 yards and two scores. Defensively, edge rusher Colin Simmons leads the way. He was the SEC sack leader last year. This unit also brought in several players from the transfer portal.

Oklahoma: Looking for a Reset

Oklahoma started the year as a preseason top-10 pick. Now they sit at 2-2 and are not ranked. After a 41-13 defeat at Georgia, the problems look clear. By the break, they were down 28-0. They also gave the ball away four times. A lot of the offense depends on how quarterback John Mateer plays and how he feels physically. Oklahoma plans to use its defense more, and it wants a fresh group of players to help it compete. If they can beat the No. 1 team, that could change how the rest of the season goes.

History and the Rivalry Factor

Texas has taken three of the last four games since Steve Sarkisian and Brent Venables took over. The Golden Hat has been staying in Texas too, including the 2025 win that ended 23-6. In Dallas, though, past rankings and records do not carry as much weight. The home crowd is split. Upsets happen more than you would expect.

What to Watch in Dallas

  • Turnovers. Oklahoma struggled in the turnover game against Georgia. Texas, meanwhile, has done well late in tight contests by taking care of the ball.
  • Fourth-quarter composure. Texas has had to battle back late and also make stops late. If the game stays close, either team can swing it.
  • The pass rush. Colin Simmons going up against the Oklahoma offensive line is a matchup to track.

Our Texas vs Oklahoma Prediction

Texas has the better offense, the better record and the more reliable defense, while Oklahoma’s season has been inconsistent. We expect the Longhorns to control the second half. Pick: Texas 27, Oklahoma 17. This is our opinion, not betting advice.

Red River Rivalry FAQ

When is the Red River Rivalry in 2026?

Saturday, October 10, 2026, the game is set for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

What time and channel is Texas vs Oklahoma?

Texas vs Oklahoma starts at 3:30 PM ET, which is 2:30 PM CT, and it will air on ABC.

Who won last year’s Red River Rivalry?

Texas won 23-6 in 2025 and holds the Golden Hat.

Where does Texas rank?

No. 1 in last week’s AP Top 25, with Georgia and Notre Dame at Nos. 2 and 3. A new poll comes out Sunday afternoon.

More US sports predictions: our Liberty vs Dream WNBA prediction and Cowboys vs Texans Week 4 prediction. Details come from DirecTV Insider’s rivalry guide and On3’s AP poll recap.

Your take: Does Oklahoma pull the upset in Dallas, or does Texas stay unbeaten? Drop your score prediction in the comments.

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