Oct 4, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) laughs before the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

UPDATE: Per CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will play Saturday against Texas.

One of the best rivalries in college sports renews on Saturday as Texas and Oklahoma square off in the Red River Rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

These teams enter Saturday's matchup trending in vastly different directions than what we expected at the start of the season. The preseason No. 1 Longhorns are 3-2 and no longer ranked after losing at Florida on Saturday, while the Sooners are unbeaten and rank inside the top five.

However, the elephant in the room heading into the game is whether star OU quarterback John Mateer will suit up on Saturday.

Mateer, a transfer addition from Washington State who was at one point the Heisman frontrunner earlier this season, has not played since the Sooners' win over Auburn on Sept. 20. He suffered a broken hand that required surgery, but after missing just one game, it seems Mateer has potentially recovered quicker than expected.

There were whispers entering the week that Mateer could play on Saturday. Though he was listed as "questionable" on the initial SEC availability report on Wednesday, he was upgraded to "probable" on Thursday. CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported on Friday that there is "continued optimism" that Mateer will be able to play against the Longhorns, though it will ultimately remain a game-time decision.

If Mateer isn't able to play, backup Michael Hawkins Jr. will make his second start of the season. Hawkins completed 14 of 24 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns in last week's blowout win, and he started four games last season, including a blowout loss to Texas in last year's edition of Red River.

Mateer is one of the most dynamic players in college football. He has thrown for 1,215 yards and run for nearly 200 in four games with 11 total touchdowns to just three interceptions.

Saturday's game in Dallas should be a good one, but questions about Mateer's availability loom large entering the rivalry showdown.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Will John Mateer play for Oklahoma against Texas in Week 7?

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, For The Win / For The Win

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