Oklahoma's Last-Second Field Goal Ends Texas' Perfect Season in Red River Rivalry

Oklahoma defeated No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Saturday, October 10, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, ending the Longhorns' perfect season with a final-play field goal. Oklahoma overcame a 17-7 halftime deficit, while Texas quarterback Arch Manning threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, including a pick-six. The loss drops Texas from the top ranking, but analysts suggest the team's strong resume against top-16 opponents may still secure a College Football Playoff spot despite the setback.
Key points
- Oklahoma won 27-24 on a last-second 47-yard field goal by Tate Sandell, who had missed his previous three attempts in the game.
- Arch Manning threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, including a pick-six, after leading 17-7 at halftime.
- Oklahoma's defense forced a crucial late interception by Courtland Guillory, and QB John Mateer completed 18 of 26 passes for 155 yards.
- The loss drops Texas from the No. 1 ranking, but CBS Sports projects a 66.8% chance for Texas to reach the College Football Playoff even with three losses.
- Texas' resume includes a Week 2 win over No. 5 Ohio State and a road win over Tennessee, which analysts say provide significant value for at-large selection.
Background
Texas entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team with a perfect season, while Oklahoma was unranked and 3-2. This is Oklahoma's first victory over a top-ranked team since 2007 and their second win in the rivalry under coach Brent Venables. Arch Manning has faced scrutiny from NFL scouts regarding his 2027 draft stock, with some questioning his inconsistency and high time-to-throw metrics, though others see long-term potential.
How outlets are covering it
Yardbarker emphasizes Arch Manning's late meltdown as the primary factor in Texas' loss, highlighting his two fourth-quarter interceptions. CBS Sports focuses on the broader implications for Texas' College Football Playoff chances, arguing that the team's strong resume against top-16 opponents and marquee wins over Ohio State and Tennessee provide enough margin for error to potentially reach the playoff even with three losses. ESPN's source was inaccessible, so no perspective could be extracted from that outlet.
Why it matters
The upset ends Texas' perfect season and drops them from the No. 1 ranking, but it does not necessarily derail their playoff hopes due to their strong resume. For Oklahoma, the victory marks a significant turnaround and their first win over a top-ranked team since 2007, boosting their standing in the SEC and potentially affecting their bowl or playoff prospects. The game also raises questions about Arch Manning's consistency and draft stock, as NFL scouts have already expressed concerns about his time-to-throw and decision-making.
What to watch
Texas will face a grueling schedule with four of their next five games against opponents ranked in the Week 7 AP poll, and six of their final seven contests against teams ranked in the top 16 at some point this season. Oklahoma will likely rank inside the top 40 of the CBS Sports 138 resume ranking after this win. The next few weeks will determine whether Texas can recover from this loss and maintain their playoff momentum, while Oklahoma will look to build on this upset to improve their standing in the SEC.
- Arch Manning's meltdown helps Oklahoma knock off No. 1 Texas Yardbarker
- Best of Week 6: A Red River game winner and upsets galore in the SEC ESPN
- Oklahoma Stuns No. 1 Texas as Upsets Rock Week 6 of College Football Yahoo Sports
- Texas losing to Oklahoma was inexcusable. The blame starts with Steve Sarkisian The New York Times
- A loss to rival Oklahoma hurts, but it will take a lot more to derail Texas' College Football Playoff path CBS Sports
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Yardbarker