Texas takes massive slide in ESPN power rankings after loss to Oklahoma
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Texas fell from the top spot in the AP Poll on Sunday after Saturday’s shocking loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.
The Longhorns now sit at No. 7 in the new poll, but that wasn’t the end of their punishment in any rankings after falling to the Sooners, 27-24, in Dallas. On Monday morning came the updated ESPN power rankings, and the damage was even worse there, with Texas falling from No. 1 all the way down to No. 10.
It was a steep drop, as Texas couldn’t shake its rival all day at the Cotton Bowl and ultimately paid for it with a loss that dropped it to 4-1 on the season, 1-1 in the SEC.
ESPN analyst Dave Wilson took the Horns to task in his synopsis in Monday’s power rankings, writing in part:
The Longhorns lost in painful fashion in their biggest rivalry game, allowing just 238 yards but giving up touchdowns on a blocked punt and an interception return, with Arch Manning throwing two fourth-quarter interceptions. Steve Sarkisian said he was frustrated with the inconsistency on offense (the Longhorns averaged 3.8 yards per rush), and penalties hurt Texas in key situations.
Wilson also mentioned that Steve Sarkisian said his team would “get up off the mat” going forward, because the Horns simply have no choice with a grueling upcoming SEC schedule.
Texas will try to shake off that Oklahoma loss quickly and get back to winning in Week 7 against Florida. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the Longhorns’ chances to do just that in Saturday’s noon ET matchup in Austin on ABC:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
