Convenience Big Store: Why Oklahoma has Texas' full attention in today's showdown

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Today's starting lineup

If you need any reminder that there are no sure things in the SEC, just remember Vanderbilt beating then-No. 1 Alabama last weekend. With that in mind, Kirk Bohls writes there's no chance top-ranked Texas is taking Oklahoma lightly today in Dallas as the Longhorns start a difficult portion of their schedule.

And here's a story of major impact locally: Janice Burke, the CEO of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority, was fired after leaders of local pro franchises called for a shakeup at the agency.

Please scroll down for the rest of this morning's headlines.

Greg Rajan, Senior Editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

Texas Football

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stands on the field before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)

Photo by: Jeffrey McWhorter, Associated Press

Gauntlet begins

In light of last week's upsets in the SEC, the top-ranked Longhorns can't take today's game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl lightly, regardless of what oddsmakers say.

Hot tickets: Three of the top four best-selling games for the rest of the college football season on StubHub feature the Longhorns. Read More

Rice Football

Rice linebacker Josh Pearcy (5) and defensive lineman Blake Boenisch (75) bring down Texas Southern running back Danny Green Jr. (21) during the first half of a non-conference NCAA college football game at Rice Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman, Staff Photographer

Ready for fresh start

Rice has started its season 1-4 and is 0-2 in American Athletic Conference play going into today's game against UTSA.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs the ball against Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard III (31) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Mixon closer to returning?

Texans running back Joe Mixon is listed as questionable on the team's final injury report before Sunday's game at New England, giving hope he might return after a three-game absence.

View from the booth: CBS analyst Trent Green, on the call for Texans-Patriots, discusses the potential for a trap game, how to compensate for Nico Collins' absence, and Houston facing a rookie QB making his debut. Read More
Torturous history: Heading to New England for the first time in six years, the Texans look to finally break through at Gillette Stadium, a place that's been a house of horrors for them. Read More