Berry Tramel

Tulsa World Sports Columnist

NORMAN — In the summer, Texas’ Arch Manning was the Heisman Trophy favorite. On the first day of autumn, OU’s John Mateer was the Heisman front-runner.

True statements, both. Funny how you can twist the truth.

Sounds like a Red River royale with quarterbacks Saturday in Dallas. Before UT got out of the elite-quarterback business, the Cotton Bowl was accustomed to great dueling quarterbacks. Josh Heupel/Major Applewhite. Jason White/Vince Young. Sam Bradford/Colt McCoy.

But we all know the 2025 Red River quarterback story needs context. Manning has been a disappointment, if not a bust. Mateer has a fractured thumb, repaired a dozen days ago by surgery.

So this Red River figures to be no shootout. First team to 17 probably wins.

Any chance Mat

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