Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t hold back when discussing the Texas Longhorns’ win over his alma mater, the Oklahoma Sooners, after leading his team to a commanding 51-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Buccaneers remain in the hunt for the NFC South title, holding second place despite a Week 5 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
During a postgame press conference, Mayfield was asked about Texas defeating Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry. He was also asked about how Longhorn players poked fun at him for his past antics in the rivalry.
The former Sooner, who has a storied history with the rivalry, shared his thoughts with a confident grin.
“It’s just a kid from Austin, Texas that went to Oklahoma and won his last two Red River games and being rent-free in their heads for almost a decade now,” Mayfield told reporters.
His comment reflected the fierce competition and ongoing tension between Texas and Oklahoma fans, particularly given Mayfield’s prominent role in the rivalry during his college years.
Though Mayfield’s alma mater may have lost the first Red River Rivalry game since both schools joined the SEC, his remarks reveal just how deeply Texas fans remember his successes against them.
Mayfield, an Austin native, started his college career at Texas Tech before transferring to Oklahoma, where he became a star.
He won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 and was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Now reviving his NFL career in Tampa Bay, Mayfield seemed unfazed by Oklahoma’s loss, noting his personal victories in the rivalry.
While Oklahoma couldn’t secure a win on Saturday, Mayfield and the Buccaneers found success on Sunday.
Mayfield’s strong performance helped Tampa Bay stay strong in the playoff picture as they eye another NFC South title.
The Bucs will get a rematch with Atlanta in two weeks, hoping to avenge their overtime loss, where Mayfield and the offense never got a chance to touch the ball in the extra period. Playing at home this time, the Buccaneers are hoping for a better outcome.
Meanwhile, Texas’ dominating win over Oklahoma has propelled the Longhorns to the top of the polls.
The Longhorns, enjoying a strong start in their SEC tenure, now face a major test next week when they take on the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in what is the game of the year (at least to this point in the season).
The game will be a defining moment for Texas as they aim to solidify their status as the top team in the country.
As for Oklahoma, the Sooners have struggled in their SEC debut, now sitting at 1-2 in conference play after losses to Tennessee and Texas.
They’ll look to bounce back next week when they face the South Carolina Gamecocks at home. A win is crucial if Oklahoma hopes to turn their season around.
Both Mayfield’s current team and his former team are preparing for challenging matchups next week. While the Buccaneers look to stay in playoff contention, Oklahoma seeks redemption after a rough start to SEC play.
What are your thoughts on the scene that played out at the Cotton Bowl and Mayfield’s take on the matter?
More importantly, is Texas indeed the best team in the country???