In the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game, between No. 7 Texas and No. 18 Oklahoma State, a College Football Playoff spot might be at stake. After dominating their schedule and going 8-1 in conference play for the first time in almost 15 years, the Longhorns advanced to the conference title game for the first time in five years. Texas ended the regular season with a decisive victory, defeating longstanding rival Texas Tech 57-7 to wrap up the series.
After defeating Oklahoma in the last scheduled Bedlam game, a 27-24 home win, Oklahoma State assumed complete control of the Big 12 title game race. The Cowboys lost 45-3 against UCF and almost lost a double-overtime game against BYU, but they still had three games remaining against league newcomers that they could have managed.
Since the Big 12’s founding in 1996, Texas and Oklahoma State have faced off annually; however, a matchup between them is not planned for 2023. Although Oklahoma State has won six of the past eight meetings, the Longhorns still have a commanding 26-11 all-time series lead. Cowboys-Steve Sarkisian record: 2-0.
Watch LIVE updates from the Big 12 Championship Game between Texas and Oklahoma State.
How to watch Oklahoma State vs. Texas live
Date: December 2, Saturday | Time: 12:00 PM ET
Location: Arlington, Texas’ AT&T Stadium
TV: ABC | Live stream: Fubo (free trial available)
New users can get $20 off Fubo’s Pro, Elite, and Premier plans for a restricted period of time.
Need to know about Texas vs. Oklahoma State
Immovable item against unstoppable force: With an FBS-high 1,580 yards of rushes, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II is the overwhelming favorite to win the Doak Walker Award as the greatest rusher in the country. Gordon is going to have the hardest test of his career against T’Vondre Sweat, a Texas defensive lineman. Pro Football Focus ranks Sweat and Byron Murphy II as the top two interior defensive linemen in college football. Together, they anchor the Longhorns defense, which allows opponents to gain an absurd 2.9 yards per rush. That brick wall will not let up, not even for Gordon; offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn needs to come up with an alternate plan.
From the air or the ground: Sarkisian’s expertise lies in working with quarterbacks, but Texas has demonstrated its ability to generate points and opportunities across both phases. Over the last two weeks, CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue have each recorded 100-yard performances, following the injury that sidelined starter running back Jonathan Brooks. Texas scored on a kickoff return of 95 yards and a 43-yard pick six in their 57-7 victory over Texas Tech. The Longhorns can score buckets of points quickly and put pressure on opponents in all facets of the game.
Implications for the playoffs: Entering the penultimate weekend of the College Football Playoffs, Texas is in a risky situation. No. 7 is where the Longhorns are. Despite going 12-1, Texas would be the fifth-ranked conference champion and would probably be eliminated from the playoffs if all of the betting favorites win their conference championship games. Style points might be on the menu, much as in 2014 when Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 59-0 to defeat TCU. Although it might not be sufficient, Sarkisian must empty the bag.
Oklahoma State vs. Texas prediction and lineup
odds by consensus from SportsLine
Big games have energized Oklahoma State, but Texas isn’t going to let this one slip by. The Longhorns are reaching a new height in the final stretch and have been outstanding when it counts. Ollie Gordon II ought to be contained by Texas, allowing OSU’s passing attack to be the focal point of the contest. To win that manner, the Cowboys simply aren’t dynamic enough. The Longhorns sway. Select: Texas -14.5
