Convenience Big Store: 🏈 Texans’ huge decision

Leadoff

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Nico Collins #12 of the Houston Texans celebrates during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Texans make big decision on Nico Collins after hamstring injury

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Jose Abreu #79 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins during Game Three of the Division Series at Target Field on October 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jose Abreu to play in Puerto Rico winter league, wants MLB return

The 2020 AL MVP is looking for a career reset after an ill-fated Astros' tenure.

Cheap Seats

Upset Watch

In the Cheap Seats, Chron sports writers answer burning questions from readers.

Is Texas on upset alert against Oklahoma in this year's Red River Showdown?

Chron sports reporter Michael Shapiro:

The favored team at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas is always ripe for an upset in one of college football's top rivalry games. I still see little path to the Sooners pulling off an upset Saturday afternoon. The Longhorns are perhaps the nation's most complete team regardless of whether Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning lines up under center, and I'd expect at least one (and perhaps multiple) scores from speedster wide receiver Isaiah Bond. As for the Sooners, this aren't your Bob Stoops or Lincoln Riley teams, with OU sitting a middling 20–11 since the start of the 2022 season.

New Oklahoma QB Michael Hawkins Jr. is no Caleb Williams. Ewers—Saturday's expected starter—is far better than Sam Ehlinger, Shane Buechele, Jerrod Heard, Tyrone Swoopes or any of the other post-Colt McCoy quarterback to recently walk the 40 Acres.

I can't guarantee any sort of route in the Red River Rivalry battle. But 2024 could serve as a reverse of sorts of the Texas-OU game 20 years ago, when Oklahoma swallowed a young Vince Young and Texas' offense in a 12-0 beatdown. Steve Sarkisian has assembled an elite roster. I suspect Texas' athleticism will win the day in Dallas.