The Red River Rivalry is supposed to be one of the loudest, most electric Saturdays on the college football calendar. The Cotton Bowl splits down the middle in burnt orange and crimson, the atmosphere crackles, and trash talk flows like the Dr Pepper being poured into souvenir cups. But this year? It feels more like a polite handshake than a heavyweight brawl.
No. 1 Texas and Oklahoma meet this Saturday in Dallas, and while the stakes remain high for the Longhorns, the buzz has gone flat. The reason? The Sooners just haven't shown up this season, and the fan base in Norman is pointing fingers squarely at head coach Brent Venables.
It's not just the losses—it's the way they've happened. Oklahoma was edged out 17-10 by Michigan, a game that felt winnable. But then came the 41-13 dismantling at the hands of Georgia, a performance so lifeless that it seemed to drain every drop of optimism from the fan base. That game wasn't just a loss; it was a statement that the program is a long way from where it wants to be.
And that frustration is spilling into rivalry week. Instead of the usual bravado and bulletin-board material, Sooners fans are lamenting a week that feels like any other game. "Doesn't feel like Red River week at all," one frustrated fan posted. "No trash talk happening, no hype at all, 1500 new injuries to the injury list. Last three seasons have sucked the life out of this fanbase."
Another fan echoed the sentiment on social media: "Zero excitement for this year. What a shame. Ain't even hype for Red River." The disappointment is palpable, and it's not just about this week—it's about the trajectory of the program under Venables. "I've never been less enthusiastic about a Red River rivalry in all my life," a third fan wrote. "Until Venables is gone, this team will go nowhere."
Venables took over in 2022, and his record in this rivalry is a stark 1-3. That's not the kind of mark that inspires confidence, especially when the other side is riding high with a top-ranked team and a quarterback situation that has fans dreaming big. The contrast couldn't be starker: Texas is rolling, while Oklahoma is trying to find a pulse.
The numbers back up the gloom. Texas enters as a 7.5-point favorite, and ESPN's computer model gives the Longhorns an 84.9% chance of walking out with a win. That's not just a favorite; that's a coronation waiting to happen.
If Venables wants to win back the trust of a fan base that's losing patience, a win over the No. 1 team in the country would be a hell of a start. But given the current state of both programs, that seems like a long shot. The Sooners have been outclassed, outcoached, and outplayed in their biggest moments this season, and there's little reason to think Saturday will be different.
The Red River Rivalry has always been about more than the game itself—it's about pride, bragging rights, and the kind of passion that makes college football special. But this year, that passion is missing, and Oklahoma fans are demanding a change in leadership. Whether that comes after this game or later, the clock is ticking.
For Texas, this is another chance to prove they're the real deal. For Oklahoma, it's a chance to salvage something from a season that's slipping away. But for the fans? It's a week that should be electric, yet feels like a funeral. Until Venables finds a way to turn this around, the hype will stay buried.
