With the second half of the 2017 college football season underway, conference title races are heating up. The Big 12 remains mostly wide open with six teams still undefeated or with one conference loss. Two of those teams are Oklahoma State and Texas, both of which carry a 2-1 Big 12 record, one game off of the lead held by TCU.
With five regular-season games remaining after Saturday, opportunities will be dwindling if the Cowboys or Longhorns sustain a second loss. So while Saturday's noon kick isn't an elimination game, per se, it does carry a lot of weight for both teams moving forward. For the highly ranked Pokes, there are broader goals at stake, too.
Here's everything you need to know about No. 10 Oklahoma State taking on Texas in Austin.
Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21 | Time: Noon ET
Location: Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium -- Austin, Texas
TV: ABC | Live stream: WatchESPN
Storylines
Oklahoma State: Can the Cowboys keep climbing back into the playoff picture? After falling to No. 15, Oklahoma State has risen five spots in two weeks and only played one game -- vs. winless Baylor. The Pokes looked vulnerable during a two-game stretch against TCU, their lone loss, and in a survive-and-advance road game at Texas Tech. This is a good benchmark road game to show this team is back on track and ready to compete for a Big 12 title.
Texas: Can the Longhorns finally get that big win? They've been close twice against USC, then-ranked No. 4, and in Week 7 against No. 12 Oklahoma. Texas lost both by a combined eight points and were in positions to win both. Clearly, Texas is heading in the right direction under first-year coach Tom Herman. The growth from the Week 1 loss to now is evident. But if Texas really wants to take that next step, it needs a big win over a ranked opponent. As of now, it looks like the Horns may get only a couple of more opportunities this season.
Prediction
Texas was successful defensively against USC because it stopped the run and got pressure up front on quarterback Sam Darnold, who is known to force a pass or two. Mason Rudolph is somewhat similar in his desire to make every play. Since Texas leads the Big 12 in interceptions, there are opportunities there to get some key stops. And provided quarterback Sam Ehlinger feels no lingering effects from his brutal hit against Oklahoma, he's clearly the answer for the offense. The Longhorns are good enough to play with the Pokes, but Rudolph and James Washington are too explosive and consistency still isn't Texas' thing just yet. Pick: Texas +7.5
