✌🏽 Happy Monday, friends. Let’s ride.

🤔 Trivia: From 2010-2020, which of OU’s starting quarterbacks had the most wins over Texas? [Answer in footnotes]

🏈 Final thoughts

Going through Oklahoma’s recent road trips with Kansas State, there’s something about Manhattan that somehow brings out the best in the Sooners while sending its fans through a bumpier ride only matched by a trip down Interstate-35’s never-ending construction zones.

In 2019, a road loss to Kansas State was the start of an OU redemption arc that landed the program its third consecutive College Football Playoff berth.

In 2017, a narrow win that came down to the last play showed the fight OU would deliver in each of its remaining close calls.

Finally, in 2015, OU bounced back from a loss to Texas the week prior by beating the Wildcats 55-0 en route to a Big 12 championship and a playoff berth.

All this to say, OU seems to wake up playing its quasi-rivals up north. During the playoff era, Oklahoma has yet to miss the CFP semifinals when tasked with traveling to Manhattan the same season.

Perhaps this will be the outlier. I don’t blame any fans for their skepticism that this team isn’t capable of competing for a title. OU hasn’t looked the part of a playoff contender for the majority of the season.

If there was a game the Sooners looked the part this season, it was probably Saturday. If there’s been a game Spencer Rattler looks like the guy that can lead OU to a playoff berth, it was undoubtedly Saturday.

If you’re mentally ready to relive Saturday’s wild Oklahoma win, I have 1,500 words that you might like to read.

🔒 Read now

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🔋 Big 12 Power Rankings

1. Oklahoma (5-0, Last week: 1): It didn’t come easy but the Sooners ended their drought against Kansas State this past Saturday. Still, OU has some issues to work out, but a lot of nerves would be eased with a win over Texas.

2. Oklahoma State (5-0, Last week: 4): Much like its Bedlam rivals, Oklahoma State is undefeated, despite some underwhelming performances. Regardless, the Cowboys beat Baylor 24-14 behind another monster day from Jaylen Warren, who had 125 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 36 carries.

3. Texas (4-1, Last week: 2): It wasn't as dominant as Texas' win over Texas Tech the week before, but the Longhorns escaped Fort Worth with a 32-27 win over TCU. Bijan Robinson rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. OU’s defense is in for another major test.

4. Baylor (4-1, Last week: 3): The Bears’ perfect start ended in Stillwater. Not the best of days for Baylor's offense, which posted 173 yards through the air and 107 on the ground. The good news? They won’t see many defenses better than the Cowboys.

5. Iowa State (3-2, Last week: 6): Iowa State did what it was supposed to against Kansas, winning 59-7 on Saturday. The Cyclones are off until Oct. 16, when they face Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas.

6. Kansas State (3-2, Last week: 5): It was a valiant effort by a shorthanded Wildcats team, but K-State couldn’t get the upset against OU on Saturday. If quarterback Skylar Thompson can remain in the lineup, the Wildcats should be as competitive as they looked before his injury.

7. Texas Tech (4-1, Last week: 9): A nice bounce-back win for the Red Raiders, who allowed 70 last week from Texas. Fast forward seven days, they knocked off West Virginia 23-20 in Morgantown.

8. TCU (2-2, Last week: 7): Zach Evans deserves better than this.

9. West Virginia (2-3, Last week: 8): Another week, another late field goal that doomed West Virginia.

10. Kansas (1-4, Last week: 10): It’s just sad at this point.

📈 OU stays at No. 6

Oklahoma didn’t move in the latest AP Top 25 rankings, keeping it at No. 6 entering Texas week.

OU is right where it should be, but a few notable changes:

• Cincinnati jumped OU from No. 7 to No. 5 after handing Notre Dame its first loss of the season.

• Previously third-ranked Oregon fell only to No. 8 after an overtime loss to Stanford. The Ducks are right behind No. 7 Ohio State, which lost to Oregon last month.

• Oklahoma State is up to No. 12 after a win over Baylor. A top-20 Bedlam later this year seems all the more possible.

• Texas went from unranked to No. 21 after beating TCU, meaning OU will have its first chance at a ranked win in Dallas.

• SMU and the fighting Tanner Mordecai’s are ranked No. 24 with its 5-0 start.

Full rankings

⏰ On this day

102 years ago today, Oklahoma beat Kingfisher College 157-0. No, that is not a typo.

Here was The Oklahoman’s coverage the next day: