The root of most of Oklahoma fans’ concerns heading into the Red River Rivalry, and really all season, has been the Sooners’ inability to run the ball effectively. But to ease the mind, Texas fans have the same worry.
Through five games, despite both having quarterbacks that benefit the ground game, neither the Sooners or Longhorns have been able to succeed rushing the football. And on the other side of the ball, both defenses are two of the best at stopping the run.
Oklahoma and Texas enter Red River Rivalry with struggling run games
The No. 6 Sooners are averaging 137.2 rushing yards a game, which ranks 96th in the country. Texas is No. 55 in the same category with 172.6 rushing yards a game. However, the Longhorns still haven’t went up against a top-20 rushing defense yet. The Sooners have twice.
Texas also still hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher in a game, even against the likes of San Jose State, UTEP and Sam Houston. Quarterback Arch Manning leads the Longhorns in rushing with just 160 yards in five games. He’s also the only Texas player with multiple rushing TDs.
Freshman Tory Blaylock leads the Sooners with 257 rushing yards and eclipsed the century mark against Temple.
Obviously the numbers aren’t impressive for either side, and statistically even worse for the Sooners. However, in the two categories that could make up for it, OU is superior, as long as starting quarterback John Mateer is healthy enough to play.
Before injuring his throwing hand against Auburn and missing the Sooners’ last game, Mateer was leading the SEC with 1,215 passing yards. Mateer not only gives the Sooners a lethal air attack, but also improves the run game with his legs.
Meanwhile, even while playing one more game than Mateer, Manning has thrown for 100 less yards than Mateer.
And if the Longhorns do enter the Red River Rivalry with any sort of advantage on the ground, the Sooners’ defense will negate that. A team has yet to reach its season average in rushing yards against OU, which gives up only 74.6 a game. The Sooners’ No. 5 rushing defense is also slightly better than Texas at No. 11 with 79.6 a game.
It’s worth noting, though, that the Sooners had the task of shutting down Michigan and Auburn, who both rely heavily on the run, but failed to against OU. No one else has been able to control the Wolverines on the ground since. The best rushing offense Texas has faced was Ohio State, ranked No. 57 in the nation. Michigan ranks 13th in rushing offense.
So, even in the Sooners’ weakest spot, they still have the advantage over the Longhorns.