Winner Of Texas vs. Oklahoma State Controls Own Big 12 Championship Destiny

A matchup that could have big implications on the Big 12 conference race this season gets going Saturday afternoon between No.12 Oklahoma State and No.24 Texas. This one will get underway at 3:30 pm ET with coverage picked up by Fox.

Left for dead in the middle of September with two losses in three games, Texas has not lost a game since. This has led to a perfect 6-0 conference record in the Big 12, where they continue to control their own destiny. With just three remaining conference games though, things don’t get easy with Oklahoma State on the docket, followed by a high-powered Texas Tech Team, and closing it out with No.5 Baylor.

But a lot of credit has to be given to Mack Brown and the staff at Texas, especially if they are able to pull it off with a conference championship or even a de facto title game with Baylor at the end of the season. If the Longhorns win their next two games, they could be looking at an undefeated Bears team if Baylor doesn’t trip up between now and then.

Of course, Oklahoma State has just one loss on the season, which came at the beginning of October. The Cowboys are riding a five-game win streak into this contest. Like Texas, Oklahoma State has a daunting schedule to close out the season, including games against Baylor and Oklahoma following their game with the Longhorns.

The Cowboys are top-20 in the country in both offense and defense, averaging more than 40 points per game while surrendering less than 20 at just 19.7.

The loser of this game will probably watch their conference championship aspirations go, especially if it’s the Cowboys. Texas would still have a slim chance with a loss, but a second conference loss by Oklahoma State would all but end their chances at a BCS bowl.