 "Photo: Brian Hollingsworth")
The memory of losing to Ohio State may still sting, but the Longhorns have been able to draw on the experience as they prepare for another game in the national spotlight. No. 14 Oklahoma is next on the schedule and attention is starting to focus around the two teams.
But it's nothing Texas players haven't been though already this season. Offensive tackle Justin Blalock said that giving the young guys their first taste of a big environment should pay off big dividends against the Sooners.
"Hopefully, they won't be rattled coming into this game," Blalock said.
Handling the spectacle is just one lesson they've learned.
"The most important thing I learned is, I don't like to lose," Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said. "Ohio State was a good game, because it showed us what it is going to take to come together and win."
The Longhorns got a lesson in momentum when they scored late in the first half only to watch Troy Smith lead the Buckeyes down the field for a quick touchdown to end the half. An interception early in the third quarter led to an Ohio State field goal, and Texas was down 17-7.
That turnover was one of two forced by the Buckeye defense and Texas forced none.
"We lost the turnover margin to Ohio State and the outcome was: We lost," McCoy said.
Lesson learned.
Robison, Young return to action
The Longhorns have two injured starters returning this week.
Running back Selvin Young is listed as the starter against Oklahoma. Young injured his ribs against Iowa State and did not dress out for Sam Houston State.
Brian Robison is also listed to start after sitting out against Sam Houston State. Robison injured his knee against Iowa State, but has felt no lingering effects.
"They almost needed wild dogs to keep me off this week," Robison said. "I feel like I could have played this weekend. It was very strange not playing."
Running back Jamaal Charles will back up Young. Charles dressed for Sam Houston but did not play after feeling sore in pre-game warmups.
Peterson's blockers not a bunch of stiffs
Everyone knows of Adrian Peterson's talents. An absolute workhorse, Peterson is third in the nation with 676 yards on 117 carries. While he could gain some of those yards by himself, getting all of that on his two legs alone would be unfathomable.
That's where the offensive line comes in to play. With only one starter, Chris Messner, returning from last season there were questions surrounding the ability and mobility of these Sooners. After looking at game film in preparation for the 101st edition of the Red River Rivalry, Texas defensive tackle Frank Okam says there is nothing questionable about them.
"Watching them on film, they haven't been a question mark," he said. "They are doing a good job of making room for their running game. They haven't been a question mark. They have been one of their strengths."
Two of their starters saw significant time last season. Brandon Braxton (6-foot-6, 318 pounds) started in three games at tackle. George Robinson (6-foot-5, 332 pounds) played key minutes as their top backup.
Junior College All-American Brandon Walker (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) has not shown any drop off at the Division I-A level.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has also been impressed with his youthful offensive line.
"Brandon Braxton is playing well. Duke Robinson and Chris Messner too. Most all of them I have been very pleased with," he said. "I won't sit here and say everybody - they have all at different times done better than others, but I don't know that there's been a case in these four weeks that somebody's been disappointing."
Off week has advantages, disadvantages for OU
Quan Cosby isn't quite sure that there are any advantages to having an off-week the week before the Oklahoma game.
"I don't know if there is necessarily an advantage," he said. "You just have to prepare and play your best game that day."
From Oklahoma's perspective, they seem to think that its off-week last week will help them on Saturday.
"I like having the off-week more so than not having one off," Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson said. "Definitely when you have the ball rolling, you want to keep the ball rolling. Going into the first game against the Big 12 and going against a team like Texas, you want to make sure you're as rested as you can be and as prepared as you can be. Being rested will be a big factor for this next game."
In one aspect, the Longhorns got through their game with Sam Houston State without any injuries and took some positives away from the victory.
Then there are the Sooners. They practiced Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and gave their players the weekend off. They had time to heal injuries and get a jump on preparing for the Longhorns.
"I do [like the bye-week being the week before Texas] since we have one," Stoops said. "It gives you extra time to really prepare and look at them to work your plan.
"I like the fact that this week we can continue to polish and work techniques and fundamentals to get better."
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