CFN Analysis - Texas Survives Ok State

The Longhorns scored in the final seconds to win a wild one.

By Richard Cirminiello

So that’s where the NFL replacement refs wound up.

Texas caught a huge break tonight. An enormous break. The Longhorns should have lost in Stillwater, yet got a gift when a clear fumble on Joe Bergeron’s last-minute, game-winning touchdown plunge was neither seen nor overturned by the officials. Bergeron never even actually crossed the goal line, which made the no-call even more maddening for Oklahoma State and really anyone watching the game.

The Cowboys got a bum steer, which won’t soon be forgotten in these parts. It’ll be enormously interesting to see what Big 12 officials have to say once they’ve had an opportunity to review the film over the next 24 to 48 hours. In the meantime, the reality is that Texas may have just copped a turning point victory, the kind of game that redirects the trajectory of this program. The vaunted D didn’t play well, but we learned that the offense is capable of carrying the team in high-scoring games. QB David Ash continues to evolve, making a couple of clutch connections in that pivotal final drive. And the ground game was able to keep the chains moving with help from Bergeron and budding rookie Johnathan Gray.

This should have been the night that a memorable goal line stand sent a statement out of Oklahoma State that the defending champs aren’t parting with its Big 12 crown without a fight. Instead, it’ll be remembered for a controversial finish that’ll be debated for a very long time. For the ‘Horns, hey, a win’s a win. And this was a huge victory for a school that’s been pining for the past few seasons for a seminal moment on the field.

By Matt Zemek


So, just as everyone predicted, the Texas Longhorns scored 33 points in the first 59 minutes of their Big 12 opener on Saturday night against the Oklahoma State Cowboys… and trailed.

Just as everyone predicted, Texas quarterback David Ash displayed exceptional command of the various situations he faced, standing tall in the pocket with an icy calm reserved for Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Ash's fourth-down, do-or-die completion on Texas's game-winning drive was every bit as steely as the late-game exploits of his celebrated Longhorn predecessors.

Just as everyone predicted, Texas rang up 41 points… and barely survived. Just as everyone predicted, Texas's defensive front was obliterated by an Oklahoma State offensive line that was so dominant that the Cowboys moved the ball more by running than by passing for most of the second half.

No, this game didn't make any sense, much as the majority of week five didn't make any sense. However, Texas got a road win… and quite a few teaching tools for defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Whoever could have thought that Texas's defense, not its offense, would be the Horns' foremost crisis point entering the heavy-duty month of October?

By Phil Harrison
Follow me @PhilHarrisonCFN

Wowza. Just when you think there’s at least one team in the Big Twelve that plays defense, you get this shootout in Stillwater with Texas engaging in the backdrop.

Consider this another bullet-dodging game because Oklahoma State coulda, shoulda, woulda won this game and knocked out another contestant in the big boy race. Instead, David Ash showed his growth and drove the Longhorns down the field to lasso a victory from the ‘Pokes.

Whew, with an assist perhaps from a little controversy at the end.

There will be other tests coming up for Texas though--and quickly. The next three weeks go West Virginia and its 70 point self, Oklahoma and then Baylor. Yes they’re all at home, but all will come in with high powered offenses, cut from much of the same cloth as Oklahoma State.

if the Longhorns are going to navigate the upcoming minefield, this defensive performance has to be looked at and painfully digested. It's Big Twelve title hopes and maybe more depend on learning from and correcting some defensive struggles.

For Oklahoma State, all is not lost. There is still nearly a full conference gauntlet to run against the top contenders in the Big Twelve. As explosive as the Cowboys are, they can beat anyone on any given Saturday by trading blows offensively. And if OSU can get any kind of defense to go with the laser light show it flashes each game, it’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Like most conferences, there is still much to be determined. There is still a lot of the unknown. On to next week for the biggie--West Virginia at Texas.

Make sure you download a great calculator app for the smart phone.

By Bart Doan
Follow me @Bart_cfn

When the replacement refs ruled a Texas touchdown with...wait, I should probably start this over.


The Longhorns old fail safe, their DL, was awful, all game. If you’d have told the casual fan that Okie State’s starting QB would be out, they’d have taken it. But give Texas credit, because resolve, thy name is “Hook Em.” David Ash continues to make us forget that at one point, Texas was wondering if they could get anyone under center who could score. The Horns grew up today, combining clutch football when they had to have it with being good enough to avoid their pitfalls. With under three minutes to go, Ash got the ball down two with an abysmal kicking game. It was either touchdown or lose, ostensibly. A fourth down conversion at midfield and a few plays later, Texas put themselves in the national title hunt. A dinner and a movie date with West Virginia now looms.

The eyes of Texas are upon a national title race. Next week will define whether or not they need contacts.

By Terry Johnson
Follow me @TPJCollFootball

A classic struggle between two teams headed in opposite directions.

After a two-year absence, Texas has proved that it's ready to resume its role as one of the top dogs in the conference.

The reason for the Longhorns' decline over this span is because they relied on defense to win games. While defense almost always wins championships, it's very difficult to take home the Big 12 trophy without a potent offense.

Unlike the past two seasons, scoring points won't be a problem.

Let's be realistic: Texas has yet to play against a capable defense this season. With that said, the 'Horns turned in their best two performances of the year against Ole Miss and Oklahoma State. While no one will ever mistake those two units for the 1985 Chicago Bears, UT fans have to like what they've seen so far.

The only question is: can the offense score enough points to beat West Virginia next week?

On the other hand, Oklahoma State appears headed towards the middle of the pack after winning the conference title a year ago. Yes, the Cowboys still score points in bunches, but the defense has failed to stop an AQ opponent this season. Unless Bill Young's squad can start forcing turnovers again -- the 'Pokes led the NCAA in turnover margin last year -- it could be a very long season in Stillwater.

Regardless of whether OSU finds an answer on defense, they can take solace in knowing that having a solid defense is not necessarily a requirement to win the Big 12, where you can surrender 63 points and still win. As long as the Cowboys keep scoring points, they can compete.