Tag: Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma State Cowboys

Texas remains unranked in latest USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll

Four teams from the state of Texas are ranked, but none are the Longhorns.

Another Sunday afternoon thinking what could have been.

Texas once again held a large lead in the first half against Oklahoma State but collapsed in the second half. Running back Jaylen Warren was too much to contain for four quarters and the offense went virtually nowhere. Overall, a horrible performance from Steve Sarkisian’s squad.

Even before dropping to 4-3, Texas was not ranked in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll. Somehow, four coaches still decided to vote for the Longhorns.

Within the rest of the Big 12, Oklahoma (No. 2) has surged into the top two thanks to Iowa dropping one at home against Purdue. Oklahoma State (No. 9) has broken into the top 10 as well after their win in Austin. Baylor is the only other team ranked, vaulting up seven spots to No. 20.

Four teams from the state of Texas are ranked, but none are the Longhorns.

Full USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll:

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 Georgia 6-0 1,624 (64) –
2 Oklahoma 7-0 1,508 +1
3 Cincinnati 6-0 1,497 +1
4 Alabama 6-1 1,446 +1
5 Ohio State 5-1 1,305 +1
6 Michigan 6-0 1,299 +1
7 Michigan State 7-0 1,158 +2
8 Penn State 5-1 1,134 –
9 Oklahoma State 6-0 1,093 +3
10 Oregon 5-1 1,048 –
11 Iowa 6-1 1,031 -9
12 Ole Miss 5-1 826 +2
13 Notre Dame 5-1 816 –
14 Kentucky 6-1 763 -3
15 Wake Forest 6-0 696 +1
16 Coastal Carolina 6-0 675 -1
17 Texas A&M 5-2 580 +1
18 NC State 5-1 528 +3
19 SMU 6-0 399 +4
20 Baylor 6-1 369 +7
21 San Diego State 6-0 334 +3
22 Auburn 5-2 315 +4
23 Pittsburgh 5-1 192 +6
24 Clemson 4-2 146 +1
25 UT-San Antonio 7-0 96 +5

Dropped from the rankings:

No. 17 Florida; No. 19 Arkansas; No. 20 Brigham Young; No. 22 Arizona State

Others receiving votes:

Iowa State 38; Utah 35; Arkansas 31; Florida 23; Brigham Young 23; Air Force 20; UL Lafayette 18; Arizona State 18; Purdue 16; Houston 11; Virginia 6; Texas 4; Louisiana State 2; Fresno State 1.

Studs and duds from Texas’ loss to Oklahoma State

It was hard to find studs on this one.

If we are being honest, there is little to be positive about from the Texas perspective. The first quarter was a positive, as it was against Oklahoma, but after that, it was rough.

The ‘All Gas, No Brakes’ mantra is coming to an abrupt end. When it seems that Texas has control, they let up in the second half.

Steve Sarkisian needed this win in order to control Texas’ destiny in terms of the Big 12 title. Their fate is now out of their hands. Where do they go from here?

Sarkisian will have a tough decision to make in terms of the quarterback position going forward.

Here are the studs and duds from Texas’ loss to Oklahoma State

Everything Steve Sarkisian said after the loss to Oklahoma State

Check out everything Steve Sarkisian told the media after Texas’ loss to Oklahoma State.

Seven weeks into the Steve Sarkisian era and the results have been mixed. Wins against Louisiana and TCU have brought hope, while the three losses make you think nothing has really changed.

Texas held a two-touchdown lead at one point but was never able to put Oklahoma State to bed. A fantastic second-half defensive performance from defensive coordinator Jim Knowles kept the Cowboys in the game, where the rushing game put it on ice.

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The 32-24 loss puts Texas at a major disadvantage within the Big 12 race. Both the Oklahoma schools now have direct paths to Arlington. One would have to lose three games while the Longhorns win out.

Sarkisian faced the media after the game, giving updates and his thoughts about the loss. Injury status was given on LB DeMarvion Overshown, along with the head coaches’ opinion on the quarterback play.

Check out everything Steve Sarkisian told the media after Texas’ loss to Oklahoma State

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First half recap of Texas’ 17-13 halftime lead over Oklahoma State

Texas leads Oklahoma State 17-13 at the half.

The Longhorns are going into halftime with a 17-13 lead, but the game has not really been as close as the score indicates.

Texas’ passing game has been far from prolific and is actually why Oklahoma State has a touchdown in the first place. Casey Thompson stared down a receiver and threw a pick-six during the second quarter.  Other than that mistake the offense has been average, minus the likes of Bijan Robinson who has both of the team’s touchdowns and over 100 total yards already.

On defense, there was a major concern going into the game, mostly in reference to if they would be able to slow down Oklahoma State’s running back Jaylen Warren. He has been running wild over the past few games.

But the defense has actually looked worlds better in comparison to last week and has held Warren to 55 yards on 13 carries averaging 4.2 yards per carry. They have made life on Spencer Sanders really difficult, with D’Shawn Jamison benefiting from a bad throw and was able to pick him off.

Sanders is not the only quarterback struggling, as Thompson has been pretty far off all day outside of one deep pass to Marcus Washington who is filling in for Jordan Whittington. Thompson’s throws have been very off-target all game and after he threw the interception, he has looked very skittish in the pocket. Texas needs him to step it up in the second half, and for the defense to keep containing Warren as much as possible.

Key stats

Bijan Robinson (RB): 13 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown, and three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Casey Thompson (QB): 11-of-19 for 153 yards, and one touchdown and interception.

Spencer Sanders (QB): 12-of-20 for 106 yards, and one interception

Jaylen Warren (RB): 13 carries for 55 yards, 4.3 yards per carry.

Highlights

Watch: Bijan Robinson walks in for second TD vs Oklahoma State

Bijan strolls into the end zone for a touchdown!

After scoring 28 points in the first quarter of last week’s Oklahoma matchup, this has been quite the uneventful game in comparison.

The Longhorns so far have seemed to be playing improved defense, but they need to show that they can sustain it throughout the game, unlike last week.

On the other hand, the offense has been solid but is not nearly as high octane as it was last week.

One thing has been a constant in this game, and that is Bijan Robinson making big-time plays. The Longhorns are up 17-3, and both of the touchdowns have been as a result of No. 5 finding the end zone.

The first one came on a run play on the opening drive of the game. His second came on a nice pass from Casey Thompson on a wheel route-like play, that has seemingly been one of the Longhorns’ go-to plays in the red zone.

You can watch the score here:

Robinson has been all over the field for Texas and has accumulated 98 total yards through the first quarter and part of the second. The Longhorns are looking to put a dagger into the hearts of the Cowboys, and feeding Robinson might be the best way to do so.

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LOOK: Top recruits arrive in Austin for big weekend

It’s a big weekend in Austin, TX.

Oh boy, it’s a big weekend in Austin, TX.

Not only is 5-0 and No. 12 Oklahoma State in town for a crucial Big 12 showdown, but Texas is hosting some of the best recruits in the country.

Five-star quarterback Arch Manning is the headliner, giving Steve Sarkisian the chance to wow the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2023 class. How important this recruitment is cannot be stressed enough. Program changer would be one way to describe it, as he would be the most high profile quarterback recruit in Austin since Vince Young.

A special trio of wide receivers is in town as well. Five-star Evan Stewart made a last-second trip after catching the Oklahoma game last weekend. The former Texas commit is the No. 1 priority on the board in the 2022 class.

From the 2023 class, Johntay Cook and Jalen Hale will be in Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium as well. Continuing to get the ball to Xavier Worthy will do nothing but help, proving a freshman wide receiver can come in and make a significant contribution.

Plenty of current commits are in town as well. Anthony Jones, Austin Jordan, Conner Robertson, and Cole Hutson highlight the group.

Check out recruits arriving in Austin for one of the biggest weekends in recent memory

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Texas adds five-star WR Evan Stewart to star-studded visitor list for Oklahoma State game

You can add five-star WR Evan Stewart to the already star-studded list of recruits in Austin this weekend.

Texas’ list of prospects visiting for the Oklahoma State game is continuing to grow less than 24 hours before kickoff. Some of the top prospects in the country plus current Longhorn commits will be in attendance.

Arch Manning, Malik Agbo, Jacoby Matthews, and recent Alabama tight end commit Jaleel Skinner are some of the names planning on being in town this weekend.

You can add five-star wide receiver Evan Stewart to the group as well. He confirmed on Friday morning a trip to Austin would be in store, just a week after watching the Red River Shootout in Dallas.

Stewart instantly becomes the top priority from the 2022 class on a visit. The need at wide receiver is too good for Texas to miss out on. Alabama and Florida have been chasing after him as well but getting a visit two weekends in a row is monumental.

An impressive offensive performance (mainly from Xavier Worthy) and a win in front of Stewart would give Steve Sarkisian the ability to make a strong close-out push. Texas once had the five-star locked down but needs to make sure they can end the recruitment for good.

Landing a commitment from Brenen Thompson was the first step in Sarkisian’s rebuild of the wide receiver room. Adding Stewart would fast-track the project into an almost complete stage. It’s all about speed.

Don’t forget about four-star Armani Winfield either. He may not be as quick as Stewart and Thompson, but is one of the best pass-catchers in the state.

Those three would make up for one of the best pass-catching hauls in the country.

On the 247Sports composite, Stewart is the No. 1 player in the state of Texas and the top receiver in the class. On the national scale, he ranks as the No. 3 overall prospect.

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Texas tinkers with depth chart heading into vital Oklahoma State matchup

Steve Sarkisian makes a few changes for this week

Even if Texas had pulled out a win against Oklahoma, changes were going to be needed. After having as much as a 21 point lead, a total collapse happened on both sides of the ball. Welcome to the Red River Shootout, I guess.

Steve Sarkisian made it clear from early on that whoever he thinks gives Texas the best chance to win games is going to play. However, outside of the quarterback change, he has yet to show he is willing to make adjustments to better the squad.

It finally seems as if a few changes will be made this weekend.

Going into Oklahoma State, Sarkisian has tweaked with a few positions across the depth chart. A couple is due to key injuries but a much-needed change is being made across the offensive line.

Here is a further look at the replacements Texas decided to make.

First, Jordan Whittington replacement named

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Five-star safety confirms visit for Oklahoma State game

You can add another big name expected to be in Austin this weekend!

Even with the Oklahoma loss, one of the most important weekends in the program’s recent history is in front of Texas. From the potential to take down undefeated No. 12 Oklahoma State to a huge recruiting weekend, Steve Sarkisian needs to pull out all the stops.

You can add another big name expected to be in Austin this weekend in five-star safety Jacoby Matthews. He tweeted out he would be making the trip on Monday afternoon. In what should be an official visit, Texas will host Matthews on his first OV of the fall.

Texas was thought to be squarely in the race before LSU was able to snag a commitment this past April. After decommitting, Texas A&M begun to trend for Matthews. They have hosted him twice, once officially on June 18 and another unofficial on July 31.

Now, Texas will get their shot.

Defensive backs coach Terry Joseph is going to keep Texas in the race for Matthews more than anybody. Early opportunities to play in the secondary and Terry’s Louisiana ties will be the pitch to the five-star.

Speaking of Louisiana, with the future of Ed Oregeron in question at LSU, Texas has the opportunity to raid one of the country’s deepest pools of talent. Four-star edge J’Mond Tapp and three-star cornerback Ronald Lewis have already committed to crossing states lines.

Matthews’ fellow statesman and five-star quarterback Arch Manning will be at the game as well. Selling the possibility of some of the state’s top prospects coming to Austin will resonate over the next two cycles.

On the 247Sports composite, Matthews is the No. 27 overall player and No. 2 at the safety position. Within the state of Louisiana, he ranks as the No. 3 prospect.

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Five-star 2023 QB Arch Manning set to visit Texas this weekend

This weekend looms large for the future of the program.

Monday mornings after a rivalry game loss are some of the toughest. Oklahoma coming back from behind and winning is heartbreaking fashion has stung for the past two days. But with Oklahoma State in town on Saturday, there is no time to reflect anymore.

Especially with the big recruiting weekend ahead. A ton of prospects will be in Austin but all eyes are going to be on Arch Manning.

As Steve Witflong of 247Sports reported back in September, the five-star quarterback will take an unofficial trip this weekend. He will be able to get in on Friday as Isidore Newman plays on Thursday night. An advantage for Steve Sarkisian with an early morning kickoff against Oklahoma State.

Manning has not been shy to talk about Austin, saying “it felt like home” during his visit over the summer. He also had high praise for Sarkisian as an offensive coach and person before the TCU game.

“Obviously they are great in offense, offensive-minded. They haven’t punted in two games. So, they’re really good, and they’re just laid back, good people. That’s the kind of guys I like.”

How important this recruitment is for Texas cannot be emphasized enough. Sarkisian is known as one of the quarterback guys in college football and when hired, was expected to recruit some of the best in the country to Austin.

Nobody will be bigger for the next decade than Manning. His name alone will attract other top-rated prospects from across the country. Once he is potentially on campus, Manning’s skillset will win games for Texas for three to four years.

Get a win over the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Ole Miss, and Sarkisian will have the biggest recruiting victory of his life in just over a year as the Longhorns’ head coach.

On the 247Sports composite, Manning is the No. 1 prospect in the country. With that title comes the expectation of putting up gaudy numbers on a weekly basis in the high school ranks. So far, he has delivered.

Isidore Newman had a huge 70-0 win on Friday with Manning throwing for four touchdowns on 11-11 passing and rushing in another score. He has proven to be a complete quarterback five games into the season — one Texas has been missing for some time.

Now, Sarkisian has to put on the sales pitch of a lifetime. This weekend looms large for the future of the program.

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