Caleb Williams is no longer involved in the Red River Shootout Showdown, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t invested. USC football has significant rooting interest this weekend for more reasons than one.
First and foremost, the Trojans have a clear path to the College Football Playoff. Their defense can’t stop a nosebleed, so it may be difficult to execute.
However, as the ninth-ranked team in the country, USC is ranked six spots behind Texas. If the Longhorns were to lose this weekend and the Trojans beat Arizona, that would likely change.
Oklahoma is also undefeated, so that complicates things a little bit. Even still, USC would benefit more from a Texas loss than an Oklahoma loss at this point in time.
And then there is the history element.
The Red River Rivalry is the game that ultimately made Williams who he is.
As a five-star recruit, the 6-foot-1 quarterback initially served as Spencer Rattler’s backup during the first few games of his freshman year at Oklahoma. Rattler struggled, Lincoln Riley gave him the hook, and Williams led the Sooners to a huge comeback win against the Longhorns.
He was throwing ‘Horns Down’ all over the internet after the rivalry victory.
Upon further review, Williams wasn’t only giving the ‘Horns Down’ with his hand. He was also doing it with his nails throughout the entire game!
Riley went on to take the job at USC. Williams followed and won the Heisman.
Fans back in Norman were infuriated — to the point that the state’s governor even got in on the shade. The Trojans didn’t care.
Although the Oklahoma fanbase largely turned on Williams after he transferred, Williams retained his hatred for Texas. An instagram tag on Thursday encouraged Sooners to drop a ‘Horns Down’ for Saxet (Texas spelled backwards) hate week.
Williams obliged!
There it is. It is confirmed.
Caleb Williams still hates Texas!
This will only make things spicier if the Trojans and Longhorns end up in the Playoff together. *extreme eyeball emoji*