PUEBLO, Colo. – The Texas Rattlers may have had to wait until the final stop of this season’s 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series, but with both a first-round bye at the 2023 PBR Teams Championship on the line, balanced with a Friday night showdown with its rivalrous Oklahoma Freedom …

This one means more, as the Red River Rivalry is very much alive this weekend.

Just some 12 hours before the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) and No. 3 Texas Longhorns (5-0) renew their historic rivalry within the college football world, the No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom will attempt to complete an upset story of their own as they enter Dickies Arena for another fiery showdown with the No. 3-ranked Texas Rattlers.

With both teams bringing identical 13-12 season-long records fresh off accruing matching 2-1 records during last weekend’s PBR Ridge Rider Days in Glendale, Arizona, night one’s finale couldn’t get any closer.

Other than each team’s qualified ride totals, that is.

Looking past the Kansas City Outlaws’ league-leading 52 qualified ride count, the Rattlers and No. 1 Austin Gamblers remain tied with 47 conversions each, respectively. Regularly involved in high-scoring games, Texas hasn’t been afraid to put on a show at any point this season.

Looking down the list, bull riding fans won’t find the Freedom until they get down to the No. 6 spot, with just 36 on the year, despite holding the same record as Texas. Involved in more than their fair share of close calls, Cord McCoy and the Freedom currently rank below the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders (38) and No. 6 Carolina Cowboys.

One of the most active teams this season when it comes to trades and transactions, the Freedom haven’t been afraid to shake things up in year two.

Other than seeing veteran Alex Cerqueira explode for his first-ever event MVP title last weekend inside Desert Diamond Arena, courtesy of a flawless 3-for-3 performance, it’s been a bit of a youth movement for Oklahoma, with Elizmar Jeremias, Thiago Salgado and rising superstar Caden Bunch doing a majority of the heavy-lifting for the Freedom.

As far as the rules go, there aren’t many big changes once the competition begins inside T-Mobile Arena Oct. 20-22 in Las Vegas. Season-long totals won’t mean anything at that point.

But if the Freedom want to make a lengthy run through the season-culminating gauntlet, they’ll want to ride everything in sight. Beginning this weekend in Fort Worth and continuing until Championship Sunday on Las Vegas Boulevard.

While the Rattlers have earned themselves a reputation of being an organization blessed with sincere depth (still the only team to roster five riders with 5+ conversions this season), between the likes of Daniel Keeping, Joao Ricardo Vieira, Brady Fielder, Braidy Randolph, Brady Oleson and beyond, they’ve also been known to rack up some high scores when firing on all cylinders.

Bringing the most four-score games of the season into their Oct. 6-8 homestand, they’ve seen flashes from guys like Cody Jesus (injuries), Trace Redd (Reserve Roster) and Eli Vastbinder (recently acquired from the Oklahoma Freedom) in limited opportunities while continuing to rely on the team’s regulars.

All while keeping their odds alive for a chance to secure a night’s rest during the opening slate of matchups at the 2023 PBR Teams Championship!

Set to receive some additional support this weekend, courtesy of an electric hometown crowd, will the Ariat-sponsored contingent be able to conclude year two in fiery fashion for its hardworking fans?

Or will the red, white and blue squad be able to get the job done and continue their quest for their own first-round rest?

With the 5-on-5 circuit set to invade Fort Worth, Texas, during the final regular season event of the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series season, let’s take a look at the starting lineups for Friday night’s competition inside Dickies Arena (With action set to begin at 7:45 p.m. CDT on Pluto TV).

RATTLER DAYS STARTING LINEUPS

*Denotes a rematch

No. 8 Missouri Thunder (8-17) vs. No. 6 Carolina Cowboys (10-15) *Joao Lucas Campos vs. White Face (Flying S/Pedra Bucking Bulls) *Cooper Davis vs. Falcon Eddie (Lari Crane/Gene Owen) Eduardo Matos vs. Shivers (D&H Cattle Co./Flinn) Dawson Branton vs. Top Dollar (Hookin’ W/DeHoff/VanCleave) Kade Madsen vs. Wall Street Train (Flying S/Wall Street Ranch/Big Guns) Boudreaux Campbell vs. Untested (Rafter R Bucking Bulls) Qynn Andersen vs. Hunted Down (Martinez Bucking Bulls, LLC) Trey Kimzey vs. Snap Chatter (Flying S Bucking Bulls/Dozier) *Andrew Alvidrez vs. JAG Metals Hard Way (Paige Stout Bucking Bulls/Philip Elkins) Trevor Kastner vs. Bootlegger (Flinn Cattle Co)

REMATCHES Andrew Alvidrez vs. JAG Metals Hard Way (5.15 seconds in New Orleans, Louisiana) Cooper Davis vs. Falcon Eddie (88.75 points in Ridgedale, Missouri; 6.15 seconds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Joao Lucas Campos vs. White Face (88 points in Corpus Christi, Texas)

TRANSACTIONS The Missouri Thunder released Felipe Furlan from the Protected Roster and signed him to the Reserve Roster The Missouri Thunder removed Eduardo Matos from Injured Reserve and placed him on the Protected Roster The Carolina Cowboys released Cladson Rodolfo from the Protected Roster and signed him to the Reserve Roster The Carolina Cowboys placed Afonso Quintino on Injured Reserve The Carolina Cowboys signed J.T. Moore to the Reserve Roster The Carolina Cowboys removed Josh Frost from Injured Reserve and placed him on the Protected Roster

Thunder (2-1) vs. Cowboys (1-2) Game Preview What could be summarized as disappointing seasons for both squads, the Missouri Thunder and Carolina Cowboys didn’t exactly enter the season with the same expectations. Yet, with just three games remaining in the league’s second season, just two wins, and two spots in the standings, separate the Cowboys and Thunder. Better yet, Missouri is bringing a 2-1 record over the Jerome Davis-led squad into Friday night’s opening showdown.

An organization which continues to remain dedicated to identifying and developing young talent, the Thunder have increasingly become more and more competitive as the year has progressed. Able to rely on some of the youngsters in Kade Madsen and company, they’ve assembled an 8-17 record, albeit remain in the basement of the standings. While the Thunder don’t have a path to securing a first-round bye in Las Vegas, they’ll have just as much of an opportunity to win it all inside T-Mobile Arena. If that’s to enter the realm of possibility, the team will need a healthy and productive Andrew Alvidrez within its chutes. Set to knock out a rematch with JAG Metals Hard Way in the closer role, can Alvidrez kickstart a wave of momentum for the No. 8 group?

Allowing the Thunder to pick up a dramatic 176-175.75 victory last weekend in Glendale, Arizona, the Cowboys have continued to both struggle with injuries and fail to be on the same page in the same game. Sure, Cooper Davis has had a great season, and we’ve witnessed some flashes from Sage Steele Kimzey since returning from injuries, but bringing a 10-15 record into the final event of the regular season was not part of the plan for the Richard Childress-owned entity. Thankfully for the Cowboys, they’ll still be presented an opportunity in Las Vegas to turn things around. With Josh Frost returning from Injured Reserve, who isn’t currently in Friday’s lineup, that’s a good start in getting the gang back together. But will he be able to shake off the rest in such quick fashion?

No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws (15-10) vs. No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders (12-13) Leonardo Castro Ferreira vs. Blacklist (Paige Stout Bucking Bulls) Nick Tetz vs. Doze You Down (Dozier Cattle Co/Martinez Bucking Bulls) *Sandro Batista vs. Shew Bubby (Shuler Bucking Bulls) Eduardo Aparecido vs. Sava (Risen Cattle Co/Blue Ridge) Wingson Henrique da Silva vs. Kodiac (Flying S/Kasel) *Vitor Losnake vs. Norse God (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) *Bob Mitchell vs. Moonlight Party (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) Chase Dougherty vs. Leroy (Dennis & Jan Owens) Cassio Dias vs. Skippy (Skippy & Linda Johnson/Hookin’ W Ranch) Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Thunderstruck (Risen Cattle Co/Blue Ridge)

REMATCHES Bob Mitchell vs. Moonlight Party (4.91 seconds in St. Louis, Missouri; 5.83 seconds in New York City, New York) Sandro Batista vs. Shew Bubby (6.48 seconds in Austin, Texas) Vitor Losnake vs. Norse God (90.25 points in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Outlaws (1-2) vs. Ridge Riders (2-1) Game Preview While four teams will continue to duke it out for the rights to rest on opening night of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship, Friday night’s second game features the two squads positioned at the top and bottom of said race. With the Kansas City Outlaws having earned a 15-10 record and corresponding No. 2 rank, they can greatly increase their odds of securing the bye with a win over the No. 5 Ridge Riders. Arizona, now 12-13, represents the last team technically able to qualify for the honors, but would need to not only win all three of its game this weekend to match the Outlaws’ win total, but would need to ride nearly every bull they see, all while hoping Kansas City rides nearly no bulls, as the Outlaws currently have 14 more conversions on the year than Arizona.

Just three wins back from the league-leading Gamblers, Kansas City can make a run for the regular season championship, should they go a perfect 3-0 throughout Rattler Days. But, just as Arizona would need some help, the Outlaws would need Austin to go 0-3 for the first time this season if they hope to exit event No. 10 with the regular season crown. If Austin does find victory once this weekend, Kansas City will of course continue to seek the bye, first dealing with Arizona on Friday night.

No. 1 Austin Gamblers (18-7) vs. No. 7 Nashville Stampede (9-16) Ramon de Lima vs. Red Demon (Universal Pro Rodeo/Rachel & Dustin Powell) Chase Outlaw vs. Tijuana Two-Step (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) Rafael dos Santos vs. Black Jack (D&H Cattle Co./Flinn) *Mason Moody vs. Too Tall (Flinn Cattle Co) Cort McFadden vs. Wild Bill (M Rafter E/Owens) Kaiden Loud vs. Ivy League (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) Ednelio Almeida vs. Hunting Trip (Dozier Cattle Co/Martinez Bucking Bulls) Jose Vitor Leme vs. Whiplash (Blake Sharp/Floyd Lowry/CB & Traci Lee) *Silvano Alves vs. True Religion (M Rafter E/Owens)

REMATCHES Mason Moody vs. Too Tall (89 points in Ridgedale, Missouri) Silvano Alves vs. True Religion (87 points in Austin, Texas)

TRANSACTIONS The Nashville Stampede placed Bruno Carvalho on Injured Reserve The Nashville Stampede removed Kaique Pacheco from Injured Reserve and placed him on the Protected Roster

Gamblers (2-1) vs. Stampede (1-2) Game Preview While the entire bull riding industry may have been watching on as three-time World Champion Silvano Alves again attempted to record his 500th career qualified ride, which didn’t pan out, fans and tour members from around the world watched on Sunday afternoon inside Desert Diamond Arena as the Austin Gamblers defeated the Nashville Stampede en route to securing a first-round bye during the 2023 PBR Teams Championship. A direct rematch of last weekend’s showdown, which Austin captured 172.25-87.25, the Gamblers have a chance to clinch the regular season title for the second-straight year with a win Friday night. But with Dalton Kasel out of the lineup again, dealing with an injury, will the No. 1 squad be able to get the job done early in the weekend? Or will it be another dramatic slate for Michael Gaffney and team?

Meanwhile for the Stampede, who would very much like to see their veteran all-star in Silvano meet the rare mark, they’ve got plenty of things to be excited about with Rattler Days right around the corner. Including welcoming back Kaique Pacheco from Injured Reserve! Knowing that the team is equipped with tons of veterans, including Chase Outlaw, Dener Barbosa and beyond, they’ve received some youthful contributions from Mason Moody, Kaiden Loud and company in key moments throughout the season, and will need some more stellar performances this weekend if the team hopes to build some momentum ahead of the 2023 PBR Teams Championship.

With Alves set to battle True Religion during the game’s final out, which he’s previously bested for 87 points, can the Stampede keep the Gamblers from securing the regular season title?

No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom (13-12) vs. No. 3 Texas Rattlers (13-12) Alex Cerqueira vs. Dr. Campbell (Nancy Haverty/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Red Scorpion (Lari Crane/Gene Owen) Thiago Salgado vs. Pearl Snap (Blue Ridge/Risen Cattle Co) Brady Fielder vs. Time Bomb (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Mark Baker) Trevor Reiste vs. Casper (Crescent City Bucking Bulls/Lari Crane/Gene Owen) Daniel Keeping vs. Washita Red (Eldred Cattle) Grayson Cole vs. Hunter (Dozier Cattle Co/Martinez Bucking Bulls) Trace Redd vs. Mike’s Motive (Blake Sharp/High Voltage/Wetzel/Knott) Caden Bunch vs. Sonny B (Flying S/Less Than 8 Cattle Co) Cody Jesus vs. Spooky (Blake Sharp)

REMATCHES Daniel Keeping vs. Washita Red (4.49 seconds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

TRANSACTIONS The Oklahoma Freedom placed Dawson Gleaves on Injured Reserve The Oklahoma Freedom added Grayson Cole to the Protected Roster from the Reserve Roster The Oklahoma Freedom signed Marcelo de Souza Jr. to the Reserve Roster

Freedom (1-2) vs. Rattlers (2-1) Game Preview Red Rivalry aside, these two teams are absolutely fighting for their chance to join the Austin Gamblers in watching the opening round of postseason action. With both teams ending last year’s inaugural slate with matching 16-12 records (alongside Austin), it was this weekend’s hometown Rattlers who ended up securing the second bye last season, with tie-breakers coming into play.

Fans will have to wait until Saturday afternoon to watch the game, as it will be aired on CBS Television Network on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 12:30 p.m. CDT. But we’ve got a feeling it could be worth the wait!

FOLLOW ALONG This weekend’s competition in Fort Worth, Texas, is set to begin Friday, Oct. 6 at 7:45 p.m. CDT as the Missouri Thunder and Carolina Cowboys get the three-day showdown started inside Dickies Arena. With competition set to resume Saturday, Oct. 7 at 6:45 p.m. CDT, the eighth and final homestand event of the 2023 PR Camping World Team Series campaign will conclude Sunday, Oct. 8 at 1:45 p.m. CDT as the No. 3 ranked Texas Rattlers look to secure a bye at the PBR Teams Championship for the second year in a row in front of an electric hometown crowd.

Fans can tune into ViX and RidePass on Pluto TV Friday, Oct. 6 beginning at 7:45 p.m. CDT to take in the first three games of the opening night slate, while Friday night’s finale between the Oklahoma Freedom and hometown Texas Rattlers will be aired on CBS Television Network at 12:30 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Oct. 7. All four of Saturday’s games will be broadcast on ViX and RidePass on Pluto TV beginning at 6:45 p.m. CDT, while this weekend’s entire Championship Sunday slate will air on CBS Sports Network beginning at 2 p.m. CDT on Sunday, Oct. 8.

Fans can keep an eye on PBR.com and PBR social media channels for the latest news, scores, wrecks and more!

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media