#6 Oklahoma State @ #1 Texas football preview

The craziness surrounding Texas-Oklahoma St. games this decade is defined by the Texas comeback.

In 2003, 2004, 2005 and last year, the Cowboys either led at the half, led by double digits at the half or led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter – and lost all of them.

How does that happen?

It may simply be a program that knows how to win facing a program that hopes it can win.

“There are some games that never leave you,’’ Oklahoma St. coach Mike Gundy said of last year’s game when the Longhorns rallied from a 35-14 deficit to start the fourth quarter and win 38-35.

Maybe through all of the nightmares the seventh-ranked Cowboys may feel they are due against top-ranked Texas Saturday in Austin. Oh, and the winner has the edge in the Big 12 South race.

However, the BCS’ top team has certainly played like a squad that can handle the pressure of the ranking. The Longhorns throttled Missouri last week, 56-31, in a game that wasn’t even that close. It was only last week when Texas coach Mack Brown acknowledged that his team could be a national title contender.

But the Cowboys know they can stack up. Two weeks ago, they won at Missouri, when the Tigers were ranked third in the country. They understand the challenge of playing in Austin.

“After seeing what they did to Missouri,’’ Oklahoma St. quarterback Zac Robinson said, “we definitely know it is going to be a big challenge. And hopefully, we’ll be ready.’’

While Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has justifiably jumped into the Heisman Trophy race with an uncommon season of accuracy (81 percent), Robinson has enjoyed a very stellar season. Robinson has completed 70 percent of his throws for nearly 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s also taken care of the football with only four interceptions. Quietly, he and sophomore wide receiver Dez Bryant have become an amazing combination. Bryant is averaging 115.6 yards per game and has 11 touchdown receptions.

Robinson also got a good sign when tight end Brandon Pettigrew returned to the lineup last week against Baylor after missing three previous games. Plus, the running game has a tremendous back in Kendall Hunter who leads the Big 12 with 955 yards.

How well Oklahoma St. can move it will be determined by how well its line holds up against the Texas defensive line. While the pass defense has yielded 275 yards per game – 111 th in the nation – the defense is also tied for fourth in the nation with 24 sacks. Defensive end Brian Orakpo, a certain all-american candidate, has 7½.

McCoy’s vision of the field was unprecedented last week when he set a single-game school record in completion percentage at 90.3. He continues to form a great relationship with Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley. Each is a very disciplined rout runner.

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The Texas running game also showed some life last week. There was not one great individual performance – and it’s likely that won’t happen this year – but collectively, the Longhorns rushed for 203 yards.

“We are mature in the fact that we know that you don’t get a certificate in being number one at the seventh game of the year,’’ defensive tackle Roy Miller said. “You get it at the end of the year. This team has taken challenges week in and week out.’’

It will likely be a shootout because the Oklahoma St. defense hasn’t been sparkling. But the Longhorns can probably make enough stops to retain the nation’s top spot.

Prediction: Texas 38, Oklahoma St. 28

Notable

• Texas is third in all-time college football victories with 827. The program is one victory behind Notre Dame with 828. Michigan is the all-time leader with 871.
• Since 2004, Texas is 15-2 against Top 25 teams.
• Oklahoma St.’s 7-0 start is only the second in school history. The only other time the program began 7-0 was in 1945.

No. 6 Oklahoma St. (7-0, 3-0) at No. 1 Texas (7-0, 3-0)
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Site: Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin
TV: ABC
Series: 23rd meeting. Texas leads, 20-2.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12 Fans Staff Writer

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