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Texas Will Face Oklahoma in Dallas This Saturday

The Longhorns head to the Cotton Bowl as Colin Simmons continues his breakout pass-rushing season.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Football

Expressive editorial sports illustration in Texas burnt orange and Oklahoma crimson, showing a dynamic college football defensive pass-rush action.
The Texas Longhorns face the Oklahoma Sooners this Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, featuring a key matchup between Texas defender Colin Simmons and the Oklahoma offensive line. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should college football players be strictly penalized for offensive sack celebrations during games?

Texas Longhorns fans heading to Dallas this Saturday for the Cotton Bowl will watch standout defender Colin Simmons attempt to pressure an Oklahoma offensive line that has allowed 13 sacks this year. The 6-foot-3, 246-pound preseason All-American arrives after a 5.5-sack performance against Tennessee.

Why it matters

The matchup centers on whether the Texas defensive scheme, orchestrated by Will Muschamp, can overwhelm an Oklahoma offense currently averaging 99 rushing yards per game. The game follows a high-profile stretch for Simmons, who recently made headlines for an on-field celebration and subsequent apology from the athletic department.

Colin Simmons recorded 5.5 sacks against Tennessee this season, adding to his career total of 21. Oklahoma's offensive line enters the game having allowed 13 total sacks.

The players

Colin Simmons

A 6-foot-3, 246-pound defensive standout for the Texas Longhorns who was named a preseason All-American.

Will Muschamp

The coach responsible for the defensive schemes used to deploy the Longhorns' pass rush.

Chris Del Conte

The Texas athletic director who issued an apology to fans following a recent game celebration penalty.

The details

Texas defensive coach Will Muschamp has utilized specific schemes to unleash Simmons into the backfield, a strategy that previously yielded two sacks against Mateer last season. Oklahoma has publicly signaled an intent to play with increased discipline to mitigate the Longhorns pass rush. Following a recent controversy regarding an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, athletic director Chris Del Conte has addressed fan concerns regarding conduct.

Timeline

  1. Saturday is the day Texas plays Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.

  2. 2024 is the year Colin Simmons and his mother founded their nonprofit, Clay's Color Crew.

The Texas Context

This Saturday's game marks the latest chapter in the long-standing Texas-Oklahoma rivalry, continuing the high-stakes defensive battles seen in previous seasons. The matchup updates the performance metrics established during last year's series when Texas recorded five sacks against Mateer.

Fans traveling to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl should anticipate heavy traffic on I-35 throughout the weekend. Local viewers not making the trip can tune in Saturday to see if the Texas defense maintains its current sack pace.

The takeaway

Keep an eye on the defensive line's ability to pressure the quarterback early in the game to disrupt Oklahoma's rushing rhythm. The matchup serves as a significant test for the Longhorns' defensive consistency after a record-setting performance against Tennessee.

Further reading

For more on the team's season and roster developments, visit the Austin Football page.

Live Poll

Should college football players be strictly penalized for offensive sack celebrations during games?