TLDR: The University of Texas Longhorns football team, currently ranked seventh with an 11-1 record, have their sights set on a final Big 12 Championship before transitioning to the SEC. Longhorns’ head coach Steve Sarkisian emphasizes the importance of focusing on winning the upcoming game against Oklahoma State, rather than the potential for a College Football Playoff spot. The Longhorns have a robust defense, and Offensively, fresh talent rises to fill gaps left by NFL-bound players. Oklahoma State features a winning streak led by the nation’s top running back Ollie Gordon, setting the stage for a compelling championship showdown.

As the University of Texas Longhorns prepare to depart from the Big 12 Conference, there’s a palpable blend of nostalgia and fierce determination in the air. The Longhorns are gunning for a final conference championship—a bookend to their inaugural Big 12 title won back in 1996. With an 11-1 season record and a current seventh ranking, they aren’t just playing for glory, but also for a potential slot in the four-team College Football Playoff.

The team’s focus remains steely, directed squarely at the upcoming title game against 19th-ranked Oklahoma State. Head coach Steve Sarkisian, in his third year at the helm, has nurtured a disciplined, results-oriented ethos within the squad. “We have to take care of business,” Sarkisian asserts, sidelining any playoff speculation until after the game where the Longhorns’ formidable defense and a reinvigorated offense will be put to the test.

While Texas prides itself on its defense, leading the Big 12 in rushing defense with a stingy 85 yards allowed per game, Oklahoma State’s sophomore sensation Ollie Gordon is set to challenge that defense with his national-leading rushing prowess. Gordon’s breakout season has been a linchpin in the Cowboys’ offensive strategy, aligning with the unselfish team-first approach espoused by members like senior guard Preston Wilson. Texas’ defensive line, anchored by formidable players like T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy II, stands ready to uphold its nation-leading third-down efficiency and red zone defense.

Offensively, the Longhorns have found new footing in the wake of significant player departures to the NFL. Freshmen running backs have swiftly filled the void, exemplified by C.J. Baxter’s and Jaydon Blue’s impressive performances against Iowa State and Texas Tech, respectively. The quarterback position, with Alan Bowman leading Oklahoma State and Quinn Ewers guiding Texas, presents its own narrative of adaptation and potential.

The historical context adds another layer to the game’s anticipation, with Texas looking back on their Big 12 tenancy and ahead to their impending move to the SEC. The Longhorns aim to finish strong—drawing to a close a chapter rich in rivalry and tradition, a fitting way to cap off their history with the Big 12 against a worthy opponent in Oklahoma State.