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For college football athletics, the rivalry between the Longhorns of Texas and the Sooners of Oklahoma is one that is tough to match. Known as the ‘Red River Rivalry’ for college football, things are always entertaining when Texas and Oklahoma meet. Now, the new John Mateer injury update changes everything for Texas vs. Oklahoma this weekend.
Last month, it was announced that quarterback John Mateer suffered a broken bone in his throwing hand, which would lead to him missing 3-4 weeks. Because of that, he was expected to miss the Oct. 11 matchup with the Longhorns of Texas. However, head coach Brent Venables said this week that Mateer is making progress and multiple analysts reported there’s a chance he plays Saturday. Will that end up happening?
Sources: Oklahoma QB John Mateer is pushing to return this week for the game against Texas. There’s a belief that his return is possible, as he’s reacted well to surgery. pic.twitter.com/KXOKoIDK9G
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 7, 2025
Brent Venables gave a vague injury update on injured quarterback John Mateer
“He’s doing his normal protocol,” Venables said while speaking with reporters in Norman. “He’s done zero good-on-good work. “I don’t know anything about the injury. When they tell me he’s available, I’ll let you know.”
Reporter Pete Thamel has everyone talking with the news he delivered on Wednesday, but it remains up in the air if Mateer will play or not. The coaching staff isn’t going to want to rush him back into action, as he had surgery just a few weeks ago. Mateer getting back to close health is the top priority.
With that said, this is a huge game and it could have an impact on the NCAA National Championship betting odds. For now, Oklahoma football is ranked the No. 6 team in the country and Mateer is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Luckily, his injury hasn’t set the Sooners back.
As for Texas football, the Longhorns suffered a disappointing loss last weekend to the Florida Gators. People had been calling for Billy Napier to get fired, but he was able to get a ton of people off his back by pulling off the upset over Texas, who was ranked No. 9 in the country for college football at the time.
Arch Manning entered the new season with the top Heisman Trophy odds. He indeed had the best college football betting odds to win the honor, but now Carson Beck and Dante Moore are considered the favorites to come out on top there. Things haven’t gotten so bad for Texas, they’re now unranked.
It’s been a rough week for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his players, but everything is thrown out the window in the Red River rivalry. If Mateer does end up playing, the college football betting sites will have Oklahoma featured with even stronger odds than they have now. Will Mateer end up playing? We’ll find out in the coming days, but don’t be shocked at all if the talented quarterback hits the field.
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