Texas put the college football world on notice with a 49-21 route over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship.
It might not be enough to earn the Longhorns a spot in the college football playoffs. But for Steve Sarkisian's squad — who entered Saturday afternoon's clash on the outside looking in of a spot in CFB's Fab Four — it was a display befitting of a national championship contender. Now, all the Longhorns can do is wait.
"We're a very complete football team," Sarkisian said. "If we get into this tournament, we'll play anybody. We'll find out if we're good enough."
MORE: Quinn Ewers sets Big 12 championship record with 452 yards passing
Texas looked good enough in many of its biggest tests this year. The win against Alabama was the standout performance in the Longhorns' 12-1 year. But there were also victories against ranked opposition in Kansas and Kansas State earlier in the campaign.
That's not to mention that extra X-factor: Texas is peaking at just the right time, combining to outscore its opposition 106-28 in its last two contests.
All of that has Sarkisian feeling rather optimistic going into the final part of the calendar — regardless of where exactly the Longhorns play next.
Steve Sarkisian says "we've probably played our best football" against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) December 2, 2023
"I didn't want this win and I didn't want this championship to be about the CFP," Sarkisian said. "This is an accomplishment in and of itself, winning a championship. Regardless of what happens, these guys should feel proud... to get us to this point."
MORE: Nelly halftime show at Big 12 championship delayed by Dr. Pepper contest
The Longhorns still have a mountain to earn their golden ticket. At present, all four sides present in the playoff slots are undefeated. Texas, meanwhile, has a single blemish to its name — a 34-30 defeat in the Red River Classic vs. Oklahoma.
Nevertheless, stranger things have happened across the world of collegiate sports. And if one of No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Michigan or No. 4 Florida State falls on Championship Saturday, perhaps the Longhorns' body of work — coupled with a dominant display against the Cowboys — could get them into college football's promised land.
"I think since that ball game that we lost, we've only trailed twice in the rest of the games on our schedule," Sarkisian said. "Hopefully when people look at the totality of the body of work, it's not just about the record. It's about the totality of the quality of the team."
