Oklahoma enters the 120th edition of the Red River Showdown as a major underdog. The first game as part of the SEC features the No. 1 Texas Longhorns versus the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners.

Texas appears to be the best team in the country, with a 5-0 record even without starting quarterback Quinn Ewers in the last two games. Oklahoma has struggled to get to 4-1, which is why most don’t give the Sooners a chance in this game.

Joel Klatt of Fox Sports and the “Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast” shared his thoughts on OU-Texas this week and has questions about the Sooners offense heading into the Top 25 matchup.

“This is my question for this game,” Klatt said. “Will Oklahoma’s offense even be able to keep pace? The answer to that is no. Texas’ defense is way too good. So OU isn’t going to be able to just roll over there and score a bunch of points.

The offense for the Oklahoma Sooners has been inconsistent through five games. They have created big plays and are 4-1, but have not been able to sustain the drive with much regularity. Klatt went on to talk about the Sooners defense and praised them for what they are doing this year, but ultimately it comes back to OU’s offense.

“I know the Sooners defense is ranked fourth in the country,” Klatt said. “We’re talking about Steve Sarkisian and Texas. They’ll be on fire there. He always has a great game plan for these big games and I believe Texas will be able to move the football and they can start scoring some points. I don’t trust Oklahoma to do the same. This is not an offense I trust. The defense is very good, fourth in the country. Offense, no, 121st in the nation in total offense and they face a Texas defense that has allowed three touchdowns in five games.

But it’s this last statement that makes me curious.

Klatt said, “You’re not going to be able to turn Texas around enough like you did against Auburn.”

Klatt mentioned that the Sooners forced three turnovers last year. Quinn Ewers threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball, and those were big moments in the game. The Longhorns have had turnover issues this season, averaging 1.4 giveaways per game. Oklahoma’s defense is averaging 2.6 points this season.

The Sooners only forced one turnover against Auburn, but it was the biggest play of the game, a pick-six by Kip Lewis.

You can’t rely on turnovers to be a factor in a football match. There is an ebb and flow. A defense also can’t go out and force it. What makes Oklahoma’s defense so good is their ability to play solid defensive football. If they can continue to do that, they could force Texas into some bad spots.

But Klatt isn’t gone. The offense needs to take a big step in this game for the Sooners to win the football game. But they don’t have to score 40 points to win. The Sooners defense should be able to keep Texas’ offense in the 20s, which will give OU a chance.

Michael Hawkins Jr. has now had three full weeks in the first-team attack. The offensive line is the healthiest it has been all year. If there are any other concerns, it’s another week without Deion Burks. If he can continue the way he has been playing and improve the Sooners’ passing attack, OU should move the ball better.

So what was Klatt’s final prediction for OU-Texas? “I like Texas in this game. Texas 34-17,” Klatt said.

We’ll find out tomorrow afternoon in the biggest rivalry game in college football.

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