The Big 12 Report Championship week
The Red River Rematch: 3 things to watch in Texas-Oklahoma 2
Nov 29, 2018, 7:00 am
Sam Ehlinger will be a big key for the Longhorns. Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images
This year’s Big 12 Championship game should be one for the ages as Oklahoma and Texas face off in a heated rematch for the conference title. On Dec. 1 the Sooners and the Longhorns will clash in Jerry’s World (AT&T Stadium) with not only the Big 12 title on the line but also a chance at the college football playoffs for OU. Oklahoma currently sits just one spot outside the final four and a big win over a talented Texas team will go a long way in making their case to the playoff selection committee.
The last time OU and UT went head to head in week 6 the Longhorns topped the Sooners 48-45. Just as Oklahoma, lead by star quarterback and Heisman hopeful Kyler Murray thought they made a historic comeback by scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter, Texas broke Sooner fans hearts with a last second 44-yard field goal. While Texas took bragging rights for a year, OU got the last laugh after Texas would go on to lose three games and fall outside of national championship contention. Oklahoma on the other hand kept from losing another game all season and holds one of the best records in the nation at 11-1. Now the two will face off again for what is looking to be an epic battle.
3 things to watch for
The elite quarterback showdown: While Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray has captured the attention of the nation all season with jaw dropping displays of athleticism and big play ability, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger should not be overlooked. Ehlinger has not only been one of the most prolific passers this year but also has been one of the most efficient. The young star has racked up 24 touchdowns while only throwing four interceptions. Another big element of Ehlinger's game that separates him as one of the best young quarterbacks in college football is his physical but elusive running ability. Ehlinger has toted the rock 128 times for 376 yards and an impressive 11 touchdowns. The Longhorns dynamic leader causes fits for opposing defenses and will look to do so for a second time this season vs. Oklahoma. While there is no doubt that Ehlinger is an elite talent, he will be hard pressed to steal the show from Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray. In his first year as a starting quarterback on the collegiate level Murray is ranked 7th in the nation with 3,674 passing yards with 37 touchdowns and like Ehlinger is a dangerous threat with his legs as well. Murray has racked up 853 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns in 2018. No matter which way you look at it, these two young stars will be the highlight of the Big 12 championship and are sure to go blow for blow on Saturday.
Which playmakers will outshine the others? While the quarterbacks in this matchup are true next level talents, a large part of their success is directly related to the playmakers they have at the wide receiver position. Both the Longhorns and the Sooners have wide receiver duos that are among the best and most dangerous in all of college football. What is interesting is the fact that they do it with completely different styles. Texas has two towering wide receivers in 6’6 Collin Johnson and 6’4 Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, who play with a physicality that utilizes their size advantage to dominate opposing defensive backs. Oklahoma on the other hand relies on two speedsters at the wide receiver position, CeeDee Lamb and Marquise Brown, who constantly take the top off of defenses and live for the deep ball. Brown and Lamb are amongst the tops in the country in yards per reception, both averaging more than 17 per.
Not only has the duo combined for over 2,000 yards this season but they have also been responsible for 19 total touchdowns. Though Johnson’s and Humphrey’s numbers may not be as jaw dropping, the Texas duo still deserves their respect as they have combined for nearly 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns, in an offense that is not nearly as fast paced or pass oriented as the Sooners. Putting all the numbers and accomplishments aside, these dangerous playmakers will have plenty of chances to impact the game on Saturday and could very likely make the play that ultimately decides which one of their teams come out on top.
Whose defense will show up? The final aspect of this game to keep your eye on is the defensive comparison. While the Longhorns defense arguably has the more difficult assignment ahead of them trying to slow down one of the most prolific and dangerous offenses in college football, Oklahoma’s defense has struggled mightily in 2018 and has already been gashed by Texas once this season.
In their first matchup this season both defenses gave up over 500 yards of total offense. The biggest difference was the fact that the Longhorns defense was able to collect the lone turnover of the game when safety Brandon Jones intercepted Kyler Murray. What this shows is whichever defense is able to win the turnover battle, will most likely give their team a greater chance of winning the game as well. Don’t be surprised if defensive playmaking turns out to be the deciding factor or difference maker in this heated rematch, despite all the focus on each team’s offensive capabilities.
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
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