This might be the time for a play on Texas. The Longhorns have been more battled tested than Oklahoma. John Mateer is expected to be back behind center for the Sooners, but they’ve had the benefit of playing the majority of their games at home. Texas’ defense is still one of the best in country, and there’s been so much talk about Arch Manning with all the question marks, but this is his opportunity now.

I was a bit on the fence for this one with the news John Mateer is expected back for OU, but then I read Bruce Marshall's pick and one of his lines "Arch Manning has at times looked the biggest false alarm since the Comet Kahoutek" and I found that so amusing that I'm tailing his Texas play (on UT despite). I mean, the Horns have to win or the season is basically over already. How healthy can Mateer be 17 days after surgery? Think a few UT guys might target that hand? I was certainly taught playing FB where it's not "out of bounds" to purposefully hit a guy where he might be injured. As long as done the right way, not some penalty.

News that QB John Mateer likely gives it a go for OU just two weeks after hand surgery has moved this line toward the Sooners. Texas would surely have rather seen backup Michael Hawkins, in the lineup for the Sooners in last year's Red River Shootout and doing very little in OU's 34-3 loss. The Longhorns completely outclassed OU last year, however, and enter this game in desperate need of a win after losses at Ohio State and Florida. Arch Manning has at times looked the biggest false alarm since the Comet Kahoutek, but we have seen glimpses of the reason for the hype, and his mobility might come in handy vs. the pressure from the Brent Venables defense. Play Texas (at Cotton Bowl, Dallas)

I admit I was dead-wrong about last week's Texas-Florida game staying Under. The Gators surprisingly pushed around the Longhorns defense in the first half. But the defense played better in the second half after committing more resources to stop the run. I could be wrong about this, but I think Texas will do better against Oklahoma since the Longhorns don't have to deal with a playmaker on the outside the likes of Florida's Dallas Wilson. Meanwhile the Texas offensive line is a hot mess and figures to struggle moving the ball against the Sooners (No. 1 in total defense, No. 2 in scoring defense). If OU quarterback John Mateer is ruled out, I expect this total to drop significantly so I'm playing it now.

Right now the Oklahoma Sooners are playing outstanding defense and it's that defensive effort that gives them a great chance in this rivalry. Without knowing who will start at QB for Oklahoma, whoever it is will have the benefit of a great defense going up against an offense in Texas that has struggled with Arch Manning at QB. Expect a lower scoring game, that favors Oklahoma.

Did the Longhorns get caught looking ahead last week in losing at Florida? Maybe, but they certainly won't be looking past Oklahoma this week. Texas has scored at least 30 points against the Sooners in five straight matchups, and while I'm hesitant to go that far this year, I think Arch Manning plays well enough to lead his team to the win. Even if John Mateer plays for OU, I'm not sure it will be enough. Texas 27, Oklahoma 19.