It's time for the Red River Showdown and this year the stakes are higher than ever before. The No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners have won five of the last six annual clashes, yet the No. 1 Texas Longhorns walk into Cotton Bowl Stadium as 14.5-point favorites. It's time to bear down for the Longhorns and Sooners, who each have a strenuous schedule staring them down. Texas has Georgia next week while Oklahoma awaits Alabama in mid-November. 

Texas vs Oklahoma Odds

Odds as of October 8

Texas vs Oklahoma Picks – Week 7

We can deduce this meeting to two observations. Texas can score and Oklahoma can't. The Sooners' benefit of the doubt stands on the shoulders of their defense, allowing 16 PPG and ranking 12th nationally. Competition isn't considered the toughest, but restricting Tennessee to 25 points is worthy of some credit. 

But you know what's better than Oklahoma's defensive efforts? Texas. The Longhorns are giving up 7 PPG, ranked second in Division 1. 

I simply don't think Oklahoma can keep up offensively. With Texas winning all its outings by at least 19 points, Steve Sarkisian's offense will continue the momentum and ignite the energy they'll need to survive Oklahoma and Georgia in back-to-back weeks.  

Texas vs Oklahoma Week 7 Pick: Longhorns -14.5 (-110)

*picks made as of Tuesday, October 8 at 12:45 pm ET

Texas vs Oklahoma News

I know why you're here — where is Quinn Ewers? The Heisman Trophy contender hasn't stepped on the field since Week 3, suffering a minor oblique injury. While Arch Manning's 806 yards and 10 total touchdowns have maintained the team's undefeated start, everyone is anxiously awaiting the return of their starting quarterback. 

Ahead of Week 7, Steve Sarkisian is happy with Ewers's progress coming off the bye week. No news is set in stone, yet. But, Ewers playing in this week's rivalry is looking promising as of Tuesday morning.

Texas vs Oklahoma Prop Bet: Longhorns -3.5 First Quarter (-106)

Texas hasn't let up any points in the opening quarter yet this season. However, they've also scored at least a single touchdown in the first quarter in their five appearances. It's easy to predict Oklahoma is going to heavily lean on its defense, which allows 2.6 points/first quarter. But, let's flashback to the sole occasion the Sooners faced a robust offense — Tennessee (Week 5). The Vols dodged the defense and still put up 10 points in the first 15 minutes. 

The atmosphere will be intense but Texas is aware it'll need to get on the scoreboard quickly. 

texas vs oklahoma Betting Trends