The Oklahoma Sooners would obviously prefer no injuries at all, but if they had to make a preference, what they’ll be missing for the Red River Rivalry would likely be at the very bottom of the list.
The Sooners are in danger of being without the entire left side of their starting offensive line and a starting cornerback against No. 1 Texas on Saturday. Both positions are also already suffering from depth issues.
Friday's availability report was full of bad news for the Sooners, with left tackle Michael Fasusi officially being ruled out, left guard Eddy Pierre-Louis being downgraded to doubtful, and cornerback Eli Bowen being a new late addition as questionable.
Friday’s SEC availability report ahead of the Red River Rivalry: pic.twitter.com/JXnOiWFBIv
— Stormin In Norman (@StorminInNorman) October 10, 2026
Those absences will create some nightmare matchups at the Cotton Bowl against Texas’ top-5 pass rush and wide receiver Cam Coleman, who was the No. 1 prospect in the transfer portal over the offseason.
Sooners will deal with daunting mismatches without Michael Fasusi, Eddy Pierre-Louis, and Eli Bowen
Fasusi will be out for the fourth straight game, leaving Ryan Fodje to start there again. Fasusi's return was the Sooners' greatest hope for being able to protect quarterback John Mateer's blindside. It's not that Fodje is bad, but Fasusi is easily the best lineman on OU's roster as a former five-star recruit.
Pierre-Louis was a surprise addition to the injured list coming out of the bye week. He was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on Friday’s availability report, which means fans shouldn’t expect him out there. Instead, it will likely be Heath Ozaeta, with freshman Noah Best at the other guard spot.
The Sooners were also down two starters in the season opener against UTEP, and then Fasusi was hurt in the first quarter, but it didn't matter who OU put out there to face the Miners in a 51-0 blowout. This time, it not only matters, but the Sooners are probably overmatched against Texas' defensive front, even if fully healthy.
The Longhorns are fourth in the FBS with 3.75 sacks per game. Simmons, a projected first-round draft pick, leads the group with 7.5, which ranks second in the country. Texas also has a stingy run defense that's allowing only 99.25 rushing yards per game.
The Sooners didn't even dominate a New Mexico defensive line that probably doesn't have a single future NFL player on it. OU is averaging a measly 99 rushing yards per game, which ranks 130th out of 138 FBS teams. The line is also giving up more pressure than anyone else in the SEC, including 2.25 sacks per game.
This OU offensive line is undeniably bad, and now it faces its most formidable challenge yet while being undermanned. Getting outclassed offensively was expected, though.
No Bowen would also give OU's elite defense a glaring weak spot. He's not expected to play, but even if he does go out there, Bowen won't be the same player on a bum ankle.
The Sooners will also be without Jacobe Johnson, who would be Bowen's replacement if healthy as a seasoned veteran. Instead, sophomore Trystan Haynes will make his first career start in the Red River Rivalry.
There's no doubt the Longhorns will look to attack Haynes, and early to set the tone. Even when he's not tasked with trying to cover Coleman, he'll still have to handle Ryan Wingo, who caught seven touchdowns last season.
This is not all doom and gloom; this is just the reality that the Sooners are about to have to face in the Red River Rivalry.
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