Oklahoma Sooners football coach Brent Venables sent a grim warning on 2026 Red River Rivalry game with Texas

Venables didn’t get a strong effort from quarterback John Mateer, who was recovering from a hand injury and probably wasn’t in the right condition to lead OU, or first-year play-caller Ben Arbuckle, in 2025. It didn’t help that the Longhorns’ defense had one of its most dominant efforts of the season, giving up 88 total yards in the second half, forcing three turnovers, and holding the Sooners’ attack to just six points on two field goals in the 23-6 blowout.

Texas got better offensively, while Oklahoma lost key defenders

One game doesn’t define a season. Still, it doesn’t bode well for Oklahoma that Texas got so much better on the offensive end, while the Sooners lost significant talent in the defensive trenches.

The Longhorns added top transfer receiver Cam Coleman, running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, and tight end Michael Masunas, a strong blocker, in the portal. OU, meanwhile, lost elite EDGE R Mason Thomas, and run-swallowing tackles Gracen Halton and Damonic Williams.

The script doesn’t look good for Oklahoma. Still, when October 10, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas rolls around, there’s no guarantee Texas will live up to the billing. Perhaps the Sooners and Venables will finally get a signature rivalry win over the Longhorns for the first time in four years.

Venables better hope so if OU doesn't win it all, which few in the Sooner State are expecting.