Red River Rivalry 2025 Season Recap: A Tale of Two Paths
The 2025 regular season is in the books, and for the Texas Longhorns (9-3) and Oklahoma Sooners (10-2), their inaugural SEC campaigns have been nothing short of a rollercoaster.
When these two titans met at the Cotton Bowl on October 11, Texas made a definitive statement with a 23-6 victory. At the time, it felt like the Longhorns were destined for the playoffs while the Sooners were reeling. Yet, as December arrives, it is Oklahoma sitting at #8 with a home playoff game, while #14 Texas heads to the Citrus Bowl.
Here is the complete story of how the 2025 season unfolded for both sides of the Red River.
The Turning Point: October 11 in Dallas
The 121st Red River Rivalry was dominated by the Longhorns.
- Final Score: Texas 23, Oklahoma 6
- The Hero: Texas WR Ryan Niblett, whose 75-yard punt return touchdown in the 4th quarter broke the game open.
- The Defense: Texas held Oklahoma to just 6 points and forced three interceptions from QB John Mateer.
- The Quarterback: Arch Manning was efficient and poised, throwing for 166 yards and a touchdown to DeAndre Moore Jr. to erase an early deficit.
The win retained the Golden Hat for Austin and improved Texas’s all-time series lead.
Texas: A Strong Finish with One Major Hurdle
Coming out of Dallas, Texas (6-1 at the time) looked like a national title contender. Their path to the finish line, however, had one massive roadblock.
The Post-Rivalry Run:
- at Kentucky (W 34-17): A solid road win to avoid a letdown.
- at Mississippi State (W 27-13): Another workmanlike SEC road victory.
- vs #13 Vanderbilt (W 45-20): A dominant showing against a surprisingly ranked Commodores team.
- at #2 Georgia (L 10-35): The setback. In Athens, the Longhorns ran into a buzzsaw. Georgia’s defense stifled Manning, and the 25-point loss ultimately cost Texas a playoff berth.
- vs Arkansas (W 41-10): A fierce bounce-back performance.
- vs #7 Texas A&M (W 38-27): The revival of the Lone Star Showdown lived up to the hype. Texas spoiled A&M’s playoff hopes with a clutch performance in College Station.
Final Verdict: 9-3 (6-2 SEC). A successful first year in the SEC, capped by beating both primary rivals (OU and A&M). The disappointment of missing the playoffs is tempered by the excitement of a Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan.
Oklahoma: The Resilience of the West
Brent Venables’ squad left the Cotton Bowl at 5-1 and searching for answers. They found them. The Sooners played their best football after the Texas loss, winning 5 of their last 6 games.
The Post-Rivalry Run:
- vs South Carolina (W 26-7): A “get right” game for the defense.
- vs Ole Miss (L 26-34): A tough home loss that put their back against the wall.
- at Tennessee (W 33-27): The season-saver. A gritty road win in hostile territory.
- at #9 Alabama (W 23-21): The signature win. Oklahoma went into Tuscaloosa and shocked the Tide, proving their elite status.
- vs Missouri (W 17-6): Defensive dominance.
- vs LSU (W 17-13): A tense finale to secure a 10-win season.
Final Verdict: 10-2 (6-2 SEC). Oklahoma’s ability to rebound from the Texas loss was remarkable. Finishing #8 in the CFP rankings and earning a home playoff game vs. Alabama is a massive achievement.
By The Numbers: 2025 Comparison
| Category | Texas | Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|
| Final Record | 9-3 | 10-2 |
| SEC Record | 6-2 | 6-2 |
| Head-to-Head | Won (23-6) | Lost |
| Best Win | vs Texas A&M (#7) | at Alabama (#9) |
| Postseason | Citrus Bowl (vs Michigan) | CFP First Round (vs Alabama) |
| AP Rank | 14 | 8 |
Looking Ahead
The 2025 season proved that the SEC transition was a success for both programs. They combined for a 19-5 record and firmly established themselves in the conference hierarchy.
For Texas, the Citrus Bowl offers a chance for a 10-win season and momentum for 2026. For Oklahoma, the National Championship dream is still very much alive.
Red River Rivalry 2026 Date: October 10, 2026. Mark your calendars.
