Steve Sarkisian dismisses hope of facing Oklahoma in Big 12 Championship

Texas will face Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game, looking to win the conference title one last time before making the move to the SEC. Coach Steve Sarkisian was asked if he was a little dismayed that the matchup didn’t pit Texas against Oklahoma.

His answer was fairly frank.

“It didn’t matter. At this point, at this stage, we’ve been on this kick all year, we’ve been focused on what we need to do and being enamored with what we need to do,” Sarkisian said. “I think in a unique way it’s kind of fitting that we’re playing Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship Game knowing we didn’t get an opportunity to play each other in the regular season.”

Texas and Oklahoma played a scintillating game earlier this year that finished 34-30 in favor of the Sooners.

But while the Longhorns would have liked for the opportunity to avenge that loss, presumably, they’re perfectly content with a Big 12 title game against Oklahoma State, knowing a win could propel Texas into the College Football Playoff.

After all, there’s some good history between Texas and Oklahoma State too, even if it isn’t quite as recent.

“With us leaving the Big 12 and some of the great games and the matchups that have gone on over the years and historically, for us to be able to play in the Big 12 Championship Game is kind of fitting knowing we’re going to be playing OU every year moving forward,” Steve Sarkisian said.

Texas concerned with Ollie Gordon

Before he had even finished answering the question about whether he’d have preferred a matchup against Oklahoma, Sarkisian slipped into talking about the player he’s most concerned about from the Cowboys.

“Ollie Gordon is a heck of a player and they have done a great job offensively of leaning into him,” Steve Sarkisian said of the OSU running back. “And he really signifies who their team is. I feel like he gets stronger as the game goes on, like a lot of big, physical backs do. A lot of his best runs come in the second half when teams wear down.”

Gordon has been a beast this season, leading the nation in rushing with 1,580 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Sarkisian noted that he can hurt you any number of ways.

“He has the hard yards, the tough yards in between the tackles, but yet he has the big play, explosive play ability to create those long runs,” Steve Sarkisian said. “And they’ve got a variety of run schemes with him. And they do a heck of a job out of the pistol formation where they can get to a lot of their runs, and a lot of them look the same.

“So your defensive line, your linebackers have to do a great job of fitting those things. Then you’ve got to tackle. And generally with a guy like him one guy’s not enough. So our ability to populate the ball Saturday and make sure we’re fitting these runs right is going to be really critical.”