Mike Gundy downplays need to fight for the Big 12 against Texas

Oklahoma State and Texas‘ matchup in the Big 12 Championship will be the final meeting between the two programs in the same conference. Next season, Texas is joining SEC. Despite the extra drama, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy doesn’t believe the game holds any additional weight.

“Texas will be going to the SEC and we’ll be in the Big 12 next year, no matter what,” Gundy said. “The people that matter the most are the players that we recruit and they recruit, and I don’t think they care. I think they go to schools for whatever reason. The SEC vs. the Big 12 or Big Ten or Pac-12, I just don’t think they care. I don’t think it’s a factor.”

The matchup doesn’t need any more bad blood. The two programs have faced off 37 times, first meeting in 1917. Texas boasts a 26-11 all-time record over the Cowboys. However, Gundy has had the Longhorns’ number in recent years.

Oklahoma State has won the last two matchups against Texas, most recently defeating the Longhorns 41-34 last season. Yet, the Cowboys aren’t exactly riding high into the competitive face-off.

Oklahoma State Cowboys look to hop back on the horse

In Week 13, Oklahoma State squeaked by BYU with a 40-34 win in double-overtime. For reference, the Cougars entered the showdown with a 2-6 record in conference play. In the narrow win, the Cowboys gave up 327 total yards and committed two turnovers.

Just two weeks earlier Oklahoma State fell in jaw-dropping 45-3 fashion to a subpar UCF squad. While the win over BYU was exciting for the Cowboys, they should have never been in such a compromised position. Nonetheless, Gundy couldn’t help but smile following the win.

“We sure make it hard on ourselves to get to where we want to go,” Gundy said during the postgame press conference. “That was a really good win for our team. I’m very proud of them.”

Gundy quickly turned the corner to look toward his team’s next showdown.

“Texas is playing at very high level right now,” Gundy added. “Texas has good players. Texas has great players. They’ve always had them. They play at a high level. They’re not an easy team to play. But I like my team.”

Oklahoma State and Texas will square off at noon ET on Saturday in the Big 12 Championship. The game will be broadcast on ABC.