Mateer's Cotton Bowl Redemption: Oklahoma Upsets No. 1 Texas 27-24

Key points

• Oklahoma defeated No. 1 Texas 27-24 in the 2026 Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on October 10, 2026.
• The game was decided by a last-second 47-yard field goal from Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell, who had missed his previous three attempts.
• Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards, marking a significant rebound after a disastrous September.
• Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw two critical fourth-quarter interceptions, including a pick-six, which proved fatal for the Longhorns.
• Texas coach Steve Sarkisian refused to step away from play-calling duties or make staff changes following the loss, despite special teams and offensive struggles.
• Oklahoma’s win signals a potential turnaround for the Sooners, who had struggled with offensive consistency and turnovers in previous weeks.

Background

Oklahoma’s victory over Texas marks a significant turnaround for the Sooners, who had struggled with offensive consistency and turnovers in previous weeks. In September, Oklahoma lost 41-13 to No. 2 Georgia, with quarterback John Mateer committing three turnovers, including an 85-yard fumble return touchdown. This loss dropped Oklahoma to 2-2, while Georgia improved to 4-0. The Sooners had also faced a rough September, with their offense looking broken. However, like last season, when Oklahoma used an undefeated November to make the playoff, Venables’ crew performed at their best with their backs against the wall. Texas, on the other hand, had only truly looked like the nation’s No. 1 team for one quarter of one game, while rallying for a signature win against Ohio State. The Longhorns had eight penalties in this loss, running its total to 27 penalties in its last three games.

How outlets are covering it

On3 emphasized John Mateer’s redemption, highlighting his performance and the significance of the upset. ESPN was unavailable due to a 403 error, so no perspective could be extracted. CBS Sports focused on Steve Sarkisian’s refusal to make staff changes, noting that the Longhorns’ special teams and offensive struggles were exposed by the loss. USA Today criticized Arch Manning’s performance, describing him as a liability rather than an asset, and highlighted the two critical interceptions that proved fatal for Texas. The outlets agreed on the significance of the upset but differed in their focus: On3 celebrated Mateer’s rebound, CBS Sports questioned Sarkisian’s leadership, and USA Today blamed Manning’s mistakes for the loss.

Why it matters

The upset has significant implications for the College Football Playoff. Texas remains a strong candidate for the CFP, but the loss complicates their path to a first-round home game. Oklahoma’s win signals a potential turnaround for the Sooners, who had struggled with offensive consistency and turnovers in previous weeks. The game also highlights the importance of special teams and quarterback decision-making in high-stakes matchups. For Texas, the loss may force a level of focus they have lacked, while for Oklahoma, it marks a significant step toward a potential playoff appearance.

What to watch

Texas will host Florida, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State over the next three games before going to Missouri on November 7. The season concludes with LSU, Arkansas, and Texas A&M over the final three weeks, all winnable matchups if the Longhorns can find some semblance of consistency and execution offensively. Oklahoma will continue to build momentum, with their next games likely to test their newfound confidence. The College Football Playoff selections will be closely watched, with Texas’s seeding and Oklahoma’s potential at-large bid being key factors.