The Oklahoma Texas Red River Rivalry added another instant classic to its century-long ledger on Saturday, October 10, as unranked Oklahoma knocked off No. 1 Texas 27-24 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Tate Sandell drilled a 47-yard field goal as time expired to complete a stunning fourth-quarter comeback — a win that, according to USA Today, headlined a chaotic Week 6 in which six ranked teams fell and only nine undefeated squads remain in the country.
The Sooners trailed 17-7 at halftime and looked thoroughly outmatched by the nation’s top-ranked team. But Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who had thrown for 260 yards and three touchdowns, unraveled in the final quarter with two interceptions that Oklahoma converted into the decisive points.
Oklahoma Texas Red River Rivalry: How the Fourth Quarter Collapsed on the Longhorns
Manning’s first interception of the afternoon was the game’s turning point. Oklahoma defensive back Peyton Bowen picked off the Texas quarterback and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown — the Sooners’ first lead of the game, according to the Negro Digest’s recap of the game.
The Longhorns’ offense, which had dominated the first half, repeatedly stalled after the break. Then, with the game hanging in the balance, Manning threw his second interception of the quarter, giving Oklahoma the ball with just 19 seconds remaining. That set up Sandell, who split the uprights from 47 yards as the clock hit zero to send the Oklahoma sideline pouring onto the field.
Oklahoma Texas Red River Rivalry Upset Sends Shockwaves Through the AP Top 25 Poll
The result will trigger a massive reshuffling in both the AP Top 25 poll and the US LBM Coaches Poll this week. Texas arrived in Dallas as the undisputed No. 1 team in the country and had looked every bit the part through the first 30 minutes, building a 17-7 halftime cushion behind Manning’s efficient passing.
Instead, the Longhorns became the biggest casualty of a Saturday defined by upsets. According to USA Today’s Week 6 scoreboard recap, six ranked teams went down, including two other seismic results: No. 2 Georgia edged No. 7 Alabama 20-17 in a top-10 SEC showdown, and No. 25 Kentucky stunned No. 10 LSU 35-34 in overtime at Lexington.
With the dust settling, USA Today reported that just nine undefeated teams remain nationally — meaning the race for the expanded College Football Playoff is suddenly wide open.
Kentucky’s Overtime Thriller and Georgia’s Win Over Alabama Headline a Wild Week 6
Oklahoma wasn’t the only underdog celebrating Saturday night. In Lexington, Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey converted a two-point attempt in overtime to lift the No. 25 Wildcats past No. 10 LSU 35-34, according to the Negro Digest’s upset roundup. Tigers coach Lane Kiffin called the result “very disappointing” afterward but declined to overreact, pointing to missed opportunities across all three phases.
Meanwhile, the high-profile Georgia-Alabama matchup went down to the wire, with the Bulldogs prevailing 20-17 in a game USA Today noted carried “a little hint of controversy.” Elsewhere on the scoreboard, No. 5 Indiana survived Nebraska 20-17, No. 6 Ohio State rolled Maryland 45-16, No. 11 Mississippi beat Vanderbilt 52-17, and No. 12 Utah handled Kansas 41-24.
What Oklahoma’s Win Means Going Forward
For Oklahoma, the victory is a season-defining result — a rivalry triumph over the No. 1 team in the country that will almost certainly catapult the unranked Sooners into the Top 25 conversation. For Texas, it’s a brutal lesson in finishing games: a 17-7 halftime lead in the Red River Rivalry is never safe, and two fourth-quarter turnovers proved catastrophic.
Manning acknowledged his responsibility after the game, according to the Negro Digest, telling reporters the Longhorns needed better ball security — particularly from him. His 260 yards and three touchdowns will be remembered less than the two interceptions that decided the afternoon.
The new rankings arrive this week, and with six ranked teams falling on Saturday, expect chaos from top to bottom. One thing is certain: the 2026 edition of the Red River Rivalry will be remembered as one of the great ones.
FAQ: Oklahoma vs. Texas Red River Rivalry
Q: What was the final score of the 2026 Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas?
A: Unranked Oklahoma beat No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Tate Sandell’s 47-yard field goal as time expired was the game-winner.
Q: How did Arch Manning play against Oklahoma?
A: Manning threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns, but his two fourth-quarter interceptions decided the game. The first was returned 42 yards for a touchdown by Peyton Bowen — Oklahoma’s first lead — and the second set up the Sooners’ winning field goal with 19 seconds left.
Q: Which ranked teams lost in Week 6 of the 2026 college football season?
A: According to USA Today, six ranked teams fell on Saturday, October 10: No. 1 Texas (to Oklahoma 27-24), No. 7 Alabama (to No. 2 Georgia 20-17), No. 10 LSU (to No. 25 Kentucky 35-34 in OT), and others. Only nine undefeated teams remain.
Q: Who did Tate Sandell’s 47-yard field goal beat?
A: Sandell’s kick at the final gun beat the No. 1 Texas Longhorns, capping a fourth-quarter comeback by the unranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl.
Sources
- USA Today: College football scores yesterday — Results, who won top 25, notable games
- Negro Digest: NCAA College Football Upsets Week 6
- PFF: College football scores and recaps for every Week 6 game
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