Game eight could very well be the most important game of the season for the Texas Longhorns. The Oklahoma State Cowboys may be the toughest opponent Texas has faced so far. Fans are also aware of the games’ importance and how its outcome will control the Horn’s destiny in the BCS standings and possibly the Championship.

Earlier this week Coach Mack Brown commented about the game saying, “This is a national game with national implications and it has our full attention and full respect. I see our guys being excited about the start of the game. Even up there in 2007, we did not play very well, and they jumped all over us, but we came back and hung in there. The 2007 team, though, was an up-and-down team. This team has played hard each week and we fully expect that on Saturday night.”

Are the Longhorns ready? More specifically are Colt McCoy and his wide receivers ready? Colt seems to think so, “Everybody wants to play and be a part of what we’re doing,” McCoy said. “When you have a little competition…it requires them to come to practice and be prepared every day. If they have a good week of practice, they know you’ll see them get a chance to play more on Saturday. It has helped us and you can see it in our offensive work.”

The Cowboys seem to be ready for the challenge too. “I always felt good about playing against Texas,” said quarterback Zack Robinson. “I’ve liked playing in big games. It will be a lot of fun. As an offense, we’re playing with a lot of confidence against a great defense like Texas. We’ll be ready to play them.”

The game is about to start and the home field advantage may be a factor as the Stadium rumbles with the roar of the Cowboy fans, but the Longhorns appear to be unfazed as they come on to the field looking confident and ready to play.

Texas kicks off to Oklahoma State and the clock starts.

The first play of the game QB, Zack Robinson hands off to RB, Keith Tosten who fumbles, but the Cowboys recover. Robinson under pressure runs up the middle but is short of the 1st down. 4th and 1, the Cowboys go for the 1st down with the roar of support from the Cowboy fans. Robinson hands off the ball and picks up another 1st down. 2nd & 7, Robinson scrambles but he’s short. The Cowboys convert on 3rd down for another 1st down, Cowboys now at the 30. Time out. Robinson throws deep, the ball is thrown behind the receiver and almost intercepted by Safety, Earl Thomas, who leads the conference in interceptions. The Cowboys bring in the kicking team for a field goal. The kick is no good, ending the Cowboys drive without a score.

Longhorns’ possession; QB, Colt McCoy first pass of the night is to WR, Jordan Shipley. Thereafter, McCoy quickly mixes it up by passing to his other wide receivers, James Kirkendoll and Marquise Goodwin. A quick hand off to RB, Foswhitt Whittaker and a pass down the middle to Shipley brings up another 1st down. Colt fires again this time to WR, Dan Buckner. The pass is incomplete but there’s a flag on play. Personal foul, 1st down! Under pressure Colt throws the ball out of bounds. Colt fires to Shipley for another 1st down. Then quickly hands off to RB, Cody Johnson who powers down the field to the 10 yard line. But the Cowboys’ defense puts on the pressure and Longhorns are forced to bring in the kicking team. Kicker, Hunter Lawrence delivers. Texas 3, Oklahoma State 0.

Cowboys’ possession; DB, Perrish Cox, who leads the Big 12 with kick returns is stopped in his tracks by DB, Kenny Vaccaro. Robinson throws but the ball is batted down by DE, Sam Acho. Robinson steps back and throws deep but the ball is dropped to the dismay of Cowboy fans. The punting team comes in. The kick is caught by Shipley who takes a nasty hit and losses possession. Flags are flying everywhere leading Longhorn fans to believe Shipley called fair catch when he got hit. The confusion is cleared up as the officials explain there was no late hit.

Cowboys’ possession; Robinson with plenty of time fires down the field but his receivers are not there. 3rd & 8, Robinson throws deep again but the Texas secondary is doing a great job of covering the receivers. The Cowboys decide to go for the first. Robinson throws deep to WR, Dameron Fooks in the end zone. Fooks can’t hang on and the Cowboys miss an opportunity to get on the scoreboard.

Texas possession: Colt hands off to Whittaker for a loss of 3. Colt throws to Shipley and the pass is complete but it’s only a gain of 3. 3rd & 10, Colt scrambles and only manages to make it back to the line of scrimmage to the delight of Cowboy fans.

The first quarter comes to a close and the Longhorns punt. The punt is short and the Cowboys have possession at their own 33.

Robinson with a bubble pass to WR, Hubert Anyiam. Anyiam fumbles for the second time in the game. Texas possession.

Colt, back in the pocket doesn’t see the blitz coming and Cowboys’ defense earns their 14th save of the year. Colt answers back with a pass to Shipley with an impressive catch and 17 yard gain for a 1st down. The very next play the ball comes loose. Luckily the Horns still have possession. Colt goes to his running backs, Cody Johnson and Foswhitt Whittaker to gain yardage and momentum. Then he rolls to the right and fires to Goodwin, 1st down. 1st & goal, Colt hands off to Cody Johnson who hits Cowboys’ defensive wall. Johnson somehow crosses the plane for a touchdown. Touchdown! Texas 10, Oklahoma State 0.

Down at the Oklahoma State sideline, Zack Robinson in an effort to motivate his players tell them, “Boys its time to go.”

Cowboys’ possession; Robinson fires to Anyiam, this time he hangs on for a 1st down. Robinson again to Anyiam but the pass is incomplete and almost intercepted by CB, Curtis Brown. Robinson goes to Anyiam again. The pass is complete for a 1st down. Robinson’s quick pep talk to his players appears to have sparked some momentum. As the Cowboys start to gain some yardage, Acho is there to take him down. Robinson answers back with a 1st down. Timeout Longhorns, time 7:17. Robinson throws, the pass is intercepted by Curtis Brown and just like that Brown runs it back 77 yards for a Texas touchdown. Texas 17, Oklahoma State 0.

Cowboys’ possession; Robinson quickly tries to rally his team and get a drive started. Robinson with the option play runs to the right but no gain. Robinson rolls out to the left and under pressure fires to WR, Tracy Moore. The pass is complete for a gain of 23 and a 1st down. Robinson reads the coverage and runs through the hole but is short of the 1st down. He throws deep but the pass is under thrown. There’s a flag on the play, 1st down. Robinson hands off to Toston. The Texas defense holds the Cowboys at the line. Toston manages to drive into the end zone for a touchdown. Texas 17, Oklahoma State 7.

Time 2:18 left in the 2nd quarter.

Texas possession at the 20; Colt passes to Kirkendoll but the pass is incomplete. 2nd & 10, Colt throws to WR, John Chiles and the ball appears to be stripped from Chiles. There is no call on the play and Oklahoma calls a time out for a play review. The call stands. Colt unable to find an open man runs the ball out of bounds. Time 41 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. Colt fires deep to Shipley but the pass is overthrown for what could have been another touchdown. 20 seconds left, Colt under the pressure from the blitz throws the ball away. There is a flag on the play. Personal found against the Cowboys. Colt fires to Malcolm Williams, the pass is complete! TOUCHDOWN! Texas 24, Oklahoma State 7.

Half time.

Texas possession; Colt with the 1st play of the third quarter goes to Whittaker then Buckner to get the 1st down. Colt fires down the field to Malcolm Williams for a 44 yard gain and another 1st down. A couple of false starts later Colt manages to give Hunter Lawrence good field goal position. Lawrence delivers 3 more points. Texas 27, Oklahoma State 7.

Cowboys’ possession; Robinson’s pass is complete but it’s a loss of yardage. The very next play Robinson throws directly into the hands of Earl Thomas. Thomas runs it back 31 yards for a Texas touchdown. Texas 34, Oklahoma 7.

The Cowboys have possession but quickly loose all momentum and punt.

Texas takes possession at the 15; Colt quickly gets the Horns moving closer to the end zone. He hands off to Cody Johnson. Cody practically walks into the end zone for a touchdown. Texas 41, Oklahoma State 7.

Cowboys’ possession; Robinson again tries to build momentum. He hands off to
Toston and fires to Anyiam. The Cowboys begin to move down the field. Forth quarter. Robinson goes deep but the pass is intercepted by Chykie Brown at the 1 yard line.

Texas possession; Colt from the end zone throws, but it’s incomplete. Again from the end zone; Colt is in trouble, throws the ball away and goes down. Texas brings in the punting team and Justin Tucker kicks from the end zone.

Cowboys’ possession: Robinson looking determined starts another drive. He goes to Toston and manages to get a series of 1st downs. The Cowboys now at the 11 yard line, Robinson throws to Justin Blackmon in the end zone, touchdown. Texas 41, Oklahoma State 14.

Texas possession; 9:14 left in the fourth quarter and Garrett Gilbert comes in as quarterback. The Horns end up with a punt.

Cowboys’ possession; Robinson starts the drive off well as he steadily moves his team down the field but is nearly picked off again by Curtis Brown. Cowboys punt. Time 7:44 left in the 4th quarter.

Texas possession; Gilbert closes out the game for the Longhorns.

There you have it. The Longhorns have another win and Colt is now three wins away from having more wins than any quarterback in the history of college football.  With this win the Longhorns are now the clear frontrunners for the Big 12 South. When asked how he felt about the game, Colt McCoy responded, “No question, things feel better this time around.”

After the game Coach Mack Brown was asked about Colt’s performance, “He played a great football game. He was smart…he’s healthy, he’s excited about playing. We have the old Colt back again.” Coach Brown also had this to say about the team,”Our offense is getting better, our defense is continuing to score and we didn't score on special teams tonight but we usually do."

The Longhorns return home next week and will host the University of Central Florida. I suspect Longhorns fans will still be beaming with pride from tonight’s win and rightly so., but there is still plenty of season left. Although, the future looks bright championships are accomplished one game and one win at a time.

See you next week and HOOK’EM HORNS!