2023 Big 12 Championship Game Explained

Game Name:Big 12 Championship Game
Title Sponsor:Dr Pepper
Date Game Played:December 2
Year Game Played:2023
Football Season:2023
Stadium:AT&T Stadium
City:Arlington, Texas
Visitor School:Oklahoma State University
Visitor Name Short:Oklahoma State
Visitor Nickname:Cowboys
Visitor Record:9–3
Visitor Rank Ap:19
Visitor Rank Coaches:19
Visitor Rank Cfp:18
Visitor Coach:Mike Gundy
Visitor 1Q:7
Visitor 2Q:7
Visitor 3Q:0
Visitor 4Q:7
Home School:University of Texas at Austin
Home Name Short:Texas
Home Nickname:Longhorns
Home Record:11–1
Home Rank Ap:7
Home Rank Coaches:7
Home Rank Cfp:7
Home Coach:Steve Sarkisian
Home 1Q:21
Home 2Q:14
Home 3Q:7
Home 4Q:7
Mvp:Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
Odds:Texas by 15.5
Referee:Derek Anderson
Halftime:Nelly
Attendance:84,523
Us Network:ABC
ESPN Radio
Us Announcers:ABC: Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)
ESPN Radio: Sean Kelley (play-by-play), Max Starks (analyst) and Mike Peasley (sideline reporter)
Intl Network:ESPN Brazil
Intl Announcers:Thiago Alves (play-by-play) and Deivis Chiodini (analyst)

The 2023 Big 12 Championship Game was a college football game played on December 2, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It was the 22nd edition of the Big 12 Championship Game, and determined the champion of the Big 12 Conference for the 2023 season. The game began at 11:12 a.m. CST and aired on ABC, garnering an average viewership of 7.89 million people. The game featured the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma State Cowboys, respectively ranked first and second in the conference standings heading into the game. Texas entered the game seeking its fourth Big 12 conference title, while Oklahoma State entered seeking its second.

The higher-ranked Longhorns were heavy favorites to win the game, with spreads favoring Texas by at least two touchdowns. Texas quickly accumulated a large lead over Oklahoma State in the first half, leading 21–7 at the end of the first quarter and 35–14 at the end of the second quarter. The 49 points scored by the two teams in the first half were the most in a single half of any Big 12 title game. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers threw four touchdown passes in the half, tying the record for the most touchdown passes thrown in a Big 12 championship game. The second half featured less scoring and the Longhorns ultimately won 49–21. Ewers's 452 passing yards set a Big 12 title game record; he was named Most Outstanding Player of the match. Following the game, Texas took the  3 spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, earning a playoff berth for the first time in the school's history. Oklahoma State fell to  20 and accepted an invitation to the 2023 Texas Bowl.

Overview

The Big 12 Championship Game matches the top two teams in the Big 12 Conferenceas determined by in-conference winning percentage and tiebreaker rules if necessaryto designate the conference's champion.[1] The game is held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as part of a contract between the conference and the stadium extending through 2030. AT&T Stadium was the site of the Big 12 Championship Game in 2009 and 2010 and has hosted the game since the reinstatement of the championship game in 2017.[2] [3]

The 2023 Big 12 Championship Game featured the Texas Longhorns, with an 8–1 conference record, representing the  1 seed, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys, with a 7–2 conference record, representing the  2 seed.[4] Accordingly, Texas was designated as the home team and Oklahoma State the away team.[5] This was the seventh Big 12 title game appearance for Texas and their first since 2018. They were 3–3 overall in previous appearances. This was the second Big 12 title game appearance for Oklahoma State, with their only previous one being in 2021. They were 0–1 in previous appearances.[6] Sportsbooks generally opened with two-touchdown spreads favoring Texas, marking one of the larger spreads among conference championship games in 2023;[7] Texas remained roughly 15-point favorites headed into the game.[8] Media outlets viewed the title matchup as consequential for the selection of Texas and Oklahoma State in bowl games and potentially influential for a possible College Football Playoff (CFP) bid for Texas, contingent on the outcome of other conference championship games.[9] [10] [11] [12] Tickets for seating for the game were sold out by November 29.[13]

On November 16, 2023, the Big 12 began a collaboration with professional wrestling promotion, WWE, which introduced custom-made championship title belt for the 2023 Big 12 Football Championship Most Outstanding Player, presented on-field at the conclusion of the game by The Undertaker. Additionally, a co-branded logo promoting both the Big 12 and WWE was featured throughout the venue and on the field.[14] [15]

Team selection

The Big 12 Conference approved a new tiebreaking procedure for the 2023 season in August 2023 following the addition of new member schools.[16] Towards the end of the conference season, a multi-way tie in conference records between the Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas State Wildcats, Oklahoma Sooners, and Oklahoma State Cowboys, all with two conference losses, prompted the conference to clarify ambiguous wording in its tiebreaking rules.[17] While use of head-to-head results to resolve ties appeared to only apply if all tied teams played each other,[18] the conference issued a clarification on November 15 indicating that not all tied teams needed to be common opponents for head-to-head results to apply. Although the original wording appeared to favor a potential championship game berth for Kansas State, the clarification gave Oklahoma State an edge given their wins over Kansas State and Oklahoma.[19]

On November 19, the Austin American-Statesman reported that Texas had clinched a spot in the championship following a win against Iowa State, but a Big 12 official clarified that Texas had not secured a berth in the game.[20] The conference later outlined some resulting championship game matchups based on the outcomes of conference games in the final week of the regular season, with multiple outcomes resulting in as many as four teams tied for spots in the game.[21] Texas clinched the  1 seed following their win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on November 24. The result also eliminated Kansas State from championship game contention.[22] [23] Oklahoma State clinched the  2 seed following their win against the BYU Cougars on November 25.[24]

Texas

See main article: 2023 Texas Longhorns football team. The Texas Longhorns finished their 2022 season with an 8–5 record, losing their final matchup against the Washington Huskies in the 2022 Alamo Bowl.[25] Early in 2023, Texas reached an agreement with the Big 12 to join the Southeastern Conference in 2024, making 2023 their final season in the Big 12.[26] The Longhorns were considered a possible playoff contender and heavy favorites for the Big 12 conference title entering the 2023 season, ranking first in the Big 12 preseason media poll for the first time since 2009 despite the departure of two players in the 2023 NFL draft accounting for 87 percent of Texas's 2022 rushing yardage.[27] [28] Texas began the season ranked  11 in the preseason AP Poll and  12 in the preseason Coaches Poll.[29] After winning their opening contest against Rice,[30] the Longhorns defeated then- 3 Alabama 34–24 at Bryant–Denny Stadium in a game described as a signature win for both the program and head coach Steve Sarkisian by media outlets.[31] [32] [33] [34] Texas rose to  4 in the AP Poll following the win and ultimately attained the  3 spot in the AP Poll and the  4 spot in the Coaches Poll after consecutive victories against Wyoming,[35] Baylor,[36] and then- 24 Kansas to close out-of-conference play and open conference play.[37] [38] [39] The Longhorns's placement in either poll was their highest since 2009.[40] The Longhorns also began a season with five consecutive wins for the first time since 2009.[41]

Texas was defeated by Oklahoma 34–30 in the Red River Rivalry on October 7.[42] The loss knocked Texas out of their position atop the Big 12 conference standings and resulted in the Longhorns dropping to  9 in the AP Poll and  11 in the Coaches Poll.[43] [44] Texas narrowly beat Houston in a game that saw starting quarterback Quinn Ewers suffer a shoulder injury.[45] Maalik Murphy assumed the quarterback role in Ewers's relief, starting at quarterback in a win against BYU and in a close overtime victory against then- 23 Kansas State.[46] The season's first CFP ranking placed the Longhorns at  7.[47] With Oklahoma losing to Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma entered November tied for first in the conference standings.[48] Ewers returned from injury to lead the Longhorns to a close 29–26 victory at TCU.[49] However, running back Jonathon Brooks sustained a season-ending injury during the game; Brooks was Texas's leading rusher and at the time the sixth leading rusher in the FBS.[50] An Oklahoma State loss to UCF and an earlier Oklahoma loss to Oklahoma State led to Texas leading the conference standings after the win against TCU.[51]

Notes and References

  1. News: Laymance . Reid . Big 12 football title game scenarios and tiebreaker rules . November 27, 2023 . Houston Chronicle . Hearst Newspapers . November 23, 2023.
  2. Web site: Big 12 Conference and AT&T Stadium Extend Football Championship Agreement Through 2030 . Big 12 Conference . November 27, 2023 . July 12, 2023.
  3. News: Salerno . Cameron . Big 12 extends deal with AT&T Stadium to host conference football championship game through 2030 season . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . July 12, 2023.
  4. News: Jeyarajah . Shehan . 2023 Big 12 Championship Game: Texas vs. Oklahoma State set as Cowboys clinch with dramatic win over BYU . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . November 25, 2023.
  5. News: Gates . Billy . A win and the Longhorns are in the Big 12 title game, but what happens if they lose? . November 27, 2023 . KXAN . Nexstar Media . November 20, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  6. Web site: No. 7/7 Football preview: Big 12 Championship vs. No. 19/19 Oklahoma State . TexasSports.com . The University of Texas at Austin Athletics . November 27, 2023 . November 27, 2023.
  7. News: Santaromita . Dan . College football championship game odds, schedule: Oregon favored by more than a touchdown against Washington . subscription . November 27, 2023 . The Athletic . November 27, 2023.
  8. News: Huff . Cole . Texas vs. Oklahoma State line, prediction, odds: Longhorns enter Big 12 Championship Game with College Football Playoff hopes . December 3, 2023 . The Athletic . December 1, 2023.
  9. News: Chute . Nate . The CFP or Cotton or Fiesta Bowl? Projections for Texas before Big 12 championship . November 28, 2023 . Austin American-Statesman . limited. November 27, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  10. News: Cowlishaw . Tim . The case for, and against, a one-loss Texas Longhorns making the College Football Playoff . November 28, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . November 27, 2023 . Dallas, Texas.
  11. News: Sardis . Nick . Oklahoma State football bowl projections 2023: Cowboys in mix for Pop-Tarts, Texas bowls . limited . November 28, 2023 . The Oklahoman . November 27, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  12. News: Oglesby . Tyler . College Football Playoff hopes are still achievable for Texas . November 28, 2023 . Longhorns Wire . USA Today . November 26, 2023.
  13. News: Eubank . Britny . The Big 12 Championship game is officially sold out . November 28, 2023 . KHOU . November 28, 2023 . Arlington, Texas . Houston, Texas.
  14. News: Rittenberg . Adam . Big 12, WWE pairing hands title belt to conference championship MVP . December 3, 2023 . ESPN . November 16, 2023.
  15. News: Nivison . Austin . WATCH: WWE legend The Undertaker presents Texas QB Quinn Ewers with Big 12 championship MVP belt . December 3, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . December 2, 2023.
  16. News: McKessy . Jack . Who is playing in the Big 12 Championship game? A timeline of league's tiebreaker confusion . November 27, 2023 . USA Today . November 19, 2023.
  17. News: Big 12 to clarify confusing football title game tiebreakers on Wednesday, report says . November 27, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . November 15, 2023.
  18. News: Unruh . Jacob . Big 12 football tiebreaker clarification would benefit Oklahoma State . limited . November 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman . November 14, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  19. News: Robinett . Kellis . Big 12 makes statement on tiebreaker rules that could hurt Kansas State in title race . November 27, 2023 . The Wichita Eagle . November 15, 2023 . Wichita, Kansas.
  20. News: Has Texas clinched a Big 12 title game berth? Confusion remains after win vs. Iowa State . November 27, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . November 19, 2023 . Dallas, Texas.
  21. Web site: 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Clinching Scenarios Update . Big 12 Conference . November 27, 2023 . November 19, 2023.
  22. Web site: Texas Clinches #1 Seed in the 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship . Big 12 Conference . November 27, 2023 . November 24, 2023.
  23. News: Wilson . Dave . Texas crushes Texas Tech to earn spot in Big 12 title game . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . November 25, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  24. News: OSU Clinches Big 12 Title Game Berth After Double-OT Win Over BYU . November 27, 2023 . KFOR . Nexstar Media . November 26, 2023 . November 25, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  25. News: Tijerina . Richard . Run out of San Antonio: Our takeaways from Texas football's Alamo Bowl loss to Washington . limited . November 27, 2023 . Austin American-Statesman . December 30, 2022. December 29, 2022 . Austin, Texas.
  26. News: Silverstein . Adam . Texas, Oklahoma leaving Big 12 early, joining SEC in 2024 season after reaching exit agreement . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . February 9, 2023.
  27. News: Khan . Sam Jr. . Texas football left no doubt against Texas Tech: Longhorns must be taken seriously again . subscription . November 28, 2023 . The Athletic . November 25, 2023.
  28. News: Moyle . Nick . Texas coach Steve Sarkisian keeping an 'open mind' about RB competition . November 27, 2023 . Houston Chronicle . Hearst Newspapers . July 17, 2023 . Austin, Texas . Houston, Texas.
  29. News: Borba . Kevin . Texas football comes in at No. 11 in preseason AP Poll . November 27, 2023 . Longhorns Wire . USA Today Sports . August 15, 2023.
  30. News: Gates . Billy . Stout defense lifts No. 11 Texas Longhorns to 37-10 win over Rice in season opener . November 27, 2023 . KXAN . Nexstar Media . September 2, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  31. News: Mandel . Stewart . Smith . Kennington III . Wasserman . Ari . Khan . Sam Jr. . Brown . Matt . Brugler . Dane . Baumgardner . Nick . Emerson . Seth . Kamrani . Christopher . Williams . Justin . How Texas, Quinn Ewers defeated Alabama in top-25 showdown . subscription . November 27, 2023 . The Athletic . September 10, 2023.
  32. News: Smith . Corey . 5 takeaways from Texas’ win at Alabama: Longhorns’ defense steps up in key situations . November 27, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . September 9, 2023 . Dallas, Texas.
  33. News: Judd . Brandon . ‘SEC ain’t ready for us’: How the college football world reacted to Texas beating Alabama . November 27, 2023 . Deseret News . September 9, 2023 . Salt Lake City, Utah.
  34. News: Huang . Christina . Longhorns Extra Points: No. 11 Texas 34, No. 3 Alabama 24 . November 27, 2023 . Houston Chronicle . Hearst Newspapers . September 10, 2023 . Houston, Texas.
  35. News: Worthy TD sparks No. 4 Texas as Longhorns pull away late from Wyoming 31-10 . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Internet Ventures . September 17, 2023.
  36. News: Vertuno . Jim . Brooks and defense lead No. 3 Texas into final Big 12 season with dominant 38-6 win at Baylor . November 27, 2023 . Associated Press . September 23, 2023 . Waco, Texas.
  37. News: Griffin . Cami . Texas climbs into the top five of updated AP Poll after Week 2 . November 27, 2023 . Longhorns Wire . USA Today Sports . September 10, 2023.
  38. News: Vertuno . Jim . Jonathon Brooks and No. 3 Texas beats No. 24 Kansas 40-14 with Jayhawks QB Jalon Daniels out . November 27, 2023 . Associated Press . September 30, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  39. News: Gates . Billy . Texas holds at No. 3 in AP Top 25, inches toward No. 2 Michigan . November 27, 2023 . KXAN . Nexstar Media . October 2, 2023. October 1, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  40. Web site: Football rises to No. 3 in AP Top 25 . TexasSports.com . University of Texas at Austin . November 27, 2023 . Austin, Texas . September 17, 2023.
  41. News: Vieth . Evan . Early offensive mistakes plague Longhorns one week before Red River Rivalry . November 27, 2023 . The Daily Texan . September 30, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  42. News: Hawkins . Stephen . Boomer Sooner: Gabriel tosses late TD pass as No. 12 Oklahoma beats No. 3 Texas in Red River rivalry . November 27, 2023 . Associated Press . October 7, 2023 . Dallas, Texas.
  43. News: Bromberg . Nick . Beyond Oklahoma and Texas, the Big 12 is looking like a muddled mess . November 27, 2023 . Yahoo! Sports . October 24, 2023.
  44. News: Al-Khateeb . Zac . Texas football rankings: Where did Longhorns fall in top 25 after loss to Oklahoma? . limited . November 27, 2023 . Austin American-Statesman . October 8, 2023. October 7, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  45. News: CJ Baxter scores late TD and No. 8 Texas derails Houston's last-chance drive for a 31-24 win . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Internet Ventures . October 21, 2023 . Houston, Texas.
  46. News: Oglesby . Tyler . Maalik Murphy struggles in Texas' 33-30 win over Kansas State . November 27, 2023 . Longhorns Wire . USA Today Sports . November 4, 2023.
  47. News: Gross . Noah . Longhorns No. 7 in first college football playoff rankings . November 27, 2023 . KXAN . Nexstar Media . October 31, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  48. News: Hawkins . Stephen . Big 12 all tied up going into November, with Red River rivals among 5-way tie for league lead . November 27, 2023 . Associated Press . November 2, 2023.
  49. News: QB Ewers back for No. 7 Texas, which also gets big games from Brooks and Worthy in 29-26 win at TCU . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Internet Ventures . November 11, 2023 . Fort Worth, Texas.
  50. News: Huang . Christina . No. 7 Longhorns lose top rusher Jonathon Brooks for rest of season . November 27, 2023 . Houston Chronicle . Hearst Newspapers . November 12, 2023 . Houston, Texas.
  51. News: Wright . Scott . Big 12 power rankings: OU football jumps back ahead of Oklahoma State in poll . limited . November 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman . November 15, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  52. News: No. 7 Texas stays alone atop Big 12 after pulling away from Iowa State for a 26-16 win . November 28, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Internet Ventures . November 18, 2023.
  53. News: One blowout later, still No. 7: Texas doesn't make a move in College Football Playoff poll . limited . November 28, 2023 . Austin American-Statesman . November 28, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  54. News: Apodaca . All-Big 12 football awards: Texas leads in first-team nods; OSU’s Ollie Gordon named OPOY . November 29, 2023 . The Dallas Morning News . November 29, 2023.
  55. News: Sallee . Barrett . Big 12 predicted order of finish for 2023: Texas back atop preseason poll for first time since 2009 . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . July 10, 2023.
  56. Web site: Becton . Stan . Georgia, Michigan and Ohio State lead preseason AP top 25 rankings . NCAA . November 27, 2023 . August 14, 2023.
  57. News: Jeyarajah . Shehan . Coaches Poll top 25: Michigan ahead of Alabama, Ohio State in preseason college football rankings . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . August 7, 2023.
  58. News: Williams . Justin . How Oklahoma State’s on-field adjustment — and Mike Gundy’s change — transformed Cowboys . subscription . November 27, 2023 . The Athletic . November 21, 2023.
  59. News: Collins' late fourth-quarter TD helps Oklahoma State pull away to beat Central Arkansas 27-13 . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . Associated Press . CBS Interactive . September 2, 2023.
  60. News: Oklahoma State stymies Arizona State defensively for 27-15 win . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Enterprises . September 10, 2023.
  61. News: Webb rushes for 151 yards, 2 TDs as South Alabama stuns Oklahoma State 33-7 . November 27, 2023 . KOCO . Associated Press . Hearst Television . September 17, 2023 . Stillwater, Oklahoma . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  62. News: Walker . Jon . Walk the Talk: Oklahoma State hits historic speed bump on traditionally easy road to Big 12 play with South Alabama loss . November 27, 2023 . Stillwater News Press . September 17, 2023 . Stillwater, Oklahoma.
  63. News: Logue . Andrew . Becht guides Iowa State over Oklahoma State 34-27 in Big 12 opener . November 27, 2023 . Associated Press . September 23, 2023.
  64. News: Cincinnati looks to shut down Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II . November 27, 2023 . CBS Sports . CBS Interactive . October 25, 2023.
  65. News: Gordon gains more than 100 yards rushing, receiving; Oklahoma State tops No. 23 Kansas 39-32 . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press . October 14, 2023.
  66. News: Gordon runs for 137 yards, 2 TDs as Oklahoma St. tops No. 10 Oklahoma to win last scheduled Bedlam . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Internet Ventures . November 4, 2023.
  67. News: Aber . Ryan . Where OU, Oklahoma State rank in first College Football Playoff poll: See full list . limited . November 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman . October 31, 2023 . Norman, Oklahoma . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  68. Web site: Cowboys Rise to No. 15 in CFP Rankings . OkState.com . Oklahoma State University . November 27, 2023 . November 7, 2023.
  69. News: Walker . Jon . Oklahoma State has win streak snapped in turnover-filled rout at UCF . November 27, 2023 . Stillwater News Press . November 11, 2023 . Stillwater, Oklahoma.
  70. News: Gordon rushes for 164 yards and 3 TDs, leads No. 24 Oklahoma St. past Houston 43-30 . November 27, 2023 . ESPN . Associated Press . ESPN Internet Ventures . November 18, 2023.
  71. Web site: Ollie Gordon II's 5 TDs lead No. 21 Oklahoma State past BYU in 2OT, into Big 12 title game . ESPN . November 25, 2023 . en . November 25, 2023.
  72. News: Sardis . Nick . Here's where Oklahoma State football ranks in AP Top 25, coaches poll after win over BYU . limited . November 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman . November 26, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  73. Web site: Cowboys Land at No. 18 in Fifth CFP Rankings . OkState.com . Oklahoma State University . November 28, 2023 . Stillwater, Oklahoma . November 28, 2023.
  74. News: Gates . Billy . Like Texas’ Jonathon Brooks, OKST’s Ollie Gordon II emerged from relative unknown to star in 2023 . November 27, 2023 . KXAN . Nexstar Media . November 27, 2023.
  75. News: Wright . Scott . Ollie Gordon II's 'Doak-worthy' TD gives Oklahoma State football shot at Big 12 title . limited . November 27, 2023 . The Oklahoman . November 27, 2023.
  76. News: Suggs . David . Texas vs. Oklahoma State final score, results: Ewers leads Texas to 49-21 rout of Cowboys . December 2, 2023 . The Sporting News . December 2, 2023.
  77. News: Blackwood . Stacey . SEC Championship dominates college football TV ratings on championship weekend . December 12, 2023 . Yahoo! Sports . December 6, 2023.
  78. News: Curtright . Austin . Texas vs. Oklahoma State in Big 12 Championship: Score, highlights as Longhorns win 49-21 . December 2, 2023 . Austin American-Statesman . December 2, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  79. News: Wright . Scott . Oklahoma State football vs. Texas: 5 takeaways from Cowboys' loss in Big 12 championship . December 3, 2023 . The Oklahoman . December 3, 2023. December 2, 2023 . Arlington, Texas. Arlington, Texas.
  80. News: Fischer . Bryan . Texas caps long goodbye to Big 12 by routing Oklahoma State, 49-21, for title . December 3, 2023 . Fox Sports . December 2, 2023 . Arlington, Texas.
  81. News: Livengood . Paul . Nelly rocks the stage at Big 12 Championship halftime show . December 3, 2023 . WFAA . December 2, 2023 . Dallas, Texas.
  82. News: Ortega . Hannah . 'It's gettin' hot in here': Nelly to headline Big 12 Championship's first halftime show . December 3, 2023 . Austin American-Statesman . December 2, 2023. December 1, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  83. News: Bromberg . Nick . Quinn Ewers shines as No. 7 Texas makes its playoff case in Big 12 title game win over No. 19 Oklahoma State . December 3, 2023 . Yahoo! Sports . December 2, 2023.
  84. News: No. 7 Texas Wins 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship 49-21 . December 3, 2023 . Big 12 Conference . Associated Press . December 2, 2023 . Arlington, Texas.
  85. News: Vannini . Chris . Quinn Ewers keeps Texas’ CFP hopes alive with record showing in Big 12 title game . December 3, 2023 . The Athletic . December 2, 2023.
  86. News: Gates . Billy . Texas blasts Oklahoma State 49-21 to win Big 12 title, Longhorns await CFP fate . December 3, 2023 . KXAN . Nexstar Media Group . December 2, 2023 . Austin, Texas.
  87. News: Davis . Danny . Texas makes College Football Playoff case by smashing Oklahoma State in Big 12 title game . December 3, 2023 . USA Today . December 2, 2023 . Arlington, Texas.
  88. News: Wilson . Dave . Texas bows out of Big 12 with first conference title since 2009 . December 3, 2023 . ESPN . ESPN Internet Ventures . December 2, 2023 . Arlington, Texas.
  89. News: Jeyarajah . Shehan . Texas vs. Oklahoma State score: Longhorns cruise to Big 12 title, make emphatic College Football Playoff case . December 3, 2023 . CBS Sports . December 2, 2023 . Arlington, Texas.
  90. Web site: No. 7/7/7 Texas Longhorns 49 (12-1, 8-1 Big 12) vs No. 18/19/19 Oklahoma State Cowboys 21 (9-4, 7-2 Big 12) . University of Texas at Austin Athletics . Texas Football 2023 Postgame Notes . December 3, 2023 . Austin, Texas . December 2, 2023.
  91. News: Curtright . Austin . Texas college football rankings: Where do Longhorns rank in Coaches Poll, AP Top 25? . December 3, 2023 . USA Today . December 3, 2023.
  92. News: CFP: Michigan, Washington, Texas, Alabama to vie for title . December 3, 2023 . ESPN . ESPN Internet Ventures . December 3, 2023.
  93. News: South . Hank . CFP Selection Committee chair explains why Texas finished No. 3 in rankings . December 3, 2023 . Horns247 . December 3, 2023.
  94. Web site: Postgame notes - Big 12 Championship Game vs Texas . Oklahoma State University Athletics . December 3, 2023 . Stillwater, Oklahoma . December 2, 2023.
  95. News: Sardis . Nick . Where Oklahoma State football ranks in AP, coaches poll & CFP rankings after loss to Texas . December 3, 2023 . The Oklahoman . December 3, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  96. News: Flores . Elizabeth . McKessy . Jack . Alamo Bowl: Oklahoma Sooners bowl game plans and opponent are finally set . December 3, 2023 . USA Today . December 3, 2023. December 2, 2023.
  97. News: Wright . Scott . What bowl game is Oklahoma State football going to? Latest updates, projection for Cowboys . December 3, 2023 . The Oklahoman . December 3, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  98. News: Wright . Scott . Oklahoma State football to face Texas A&M at Texas Bowl in Houston in 2019 rematch . December 3, 2023 . The Oklahoman . December 3, 2023 . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  99. Web site: Rangel . Lauren . 2024-01-19 . OSU frat members arrested, charged in dead longhorn incident . 2024-02-22 . FOX 7 Austin . en-US.
  100. News: Ruhl . Dean . Is a second Bedlam possible this season? | Examining each of Oklahoma State's Big 12 title game scenarios |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/is-a-second-bedlam-possible-this-season-examining-each-of-oklahoma-states-big-12-title/article_60bedc3c-7e8b-11ee-824b-b7392c79f9ec.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa World |date=November 9, 2023 |location=Tulsa, Oklahoma}}[51] Texas subsequently won against Iowa State and clinched a spot in the conference title game following their 57–7 defeat of Texas Tech on November 24.[52] Texas entered the championship game ranked  7 in both the AP and Coaches polls. The Longhorns also entered the game as the  7 team in the CFP ranking, having held that position each week since the release of the first CFP ranking in 2023.[53] The Texas defense ranked first across the FBS in preventing third down conversions and scores from within the red zone. Eight Longhorns players were named to the all-Big 12 first team and three were named to the all-Big 12 second team; four players earned all-conference distinctions, including T'Vondre Sweat as Defensive Player of the Year.[54]

    Oklahoma State

    See main article: 2023 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team. The Oklahoma State Cowboys finished their 2022 season with a 7–6 record. Both the 2022 and 2023 seasons were preceded by numerous players transferring out of the program, casting doubt on the team's success. The Cowboys were ranked seventh in the Big 12 preseason media poll and were unranked in both the preseason AP and Coaches top-25 polls.[55] [56] The Cowboys received 12 votes in the preseason Coaches Poll.[57] Oklahoma State's offensive line and wide receiver personnel suffered numerous injuries in the first three games of the season. Three different quarterbacks took snaps during those games.[58] Oklahoma State won their first two out-of-conference games against Central Arkansas and Arizona State.[59] [60] However, the Cowboys lost 7–33 in an upset to South Alabama the following week. The game marked the Cowboys's first non-conference loss since 2016 and only the third non-conference loss under the tenure of head coach Mike Gundy.[61] The blowout loss was characterized by Oklahoma State's inability to run the ball or defend against the run.[62]

    Following the surprising loss, Gundy instated a run-first pistol offense in contrast to the run-pass option offense utilized by Gundy in previous years. Alan Bowman and Ollie Gordon II were selected as the Cowboys's starting quarterback and running back, respectively. Although Oklahoma State lost 27–34 to Iowa State to open Big 12 Conference play, the Cowboys saw improved offensive production with 409 yards of total offense and nearly overcame a 14-point deficit in the game's final three minutes.[63] Gordon had a breakout game against the Cyclones, rushing for 121 yards.[64] The Cowboys followed the loss to the Cyclones with five consecutive wins against Big 12 opponents. Four of Oklahoma State's wins in the streak were as underdogs, including a 39–32 win against then- 23 Kansas and a 27–24 win against then- 9 Oklahoma in the final scheduled edition of the Bedlam Series.[65] [66] The Cowboys were ranked  22 in the season's inaugural CFP ranking entering the rivalry game against the Sooners and climbed to  15 following the upset victory.[67] [68]

    Oklahoma State's winning streak ended with a 3–45 loss to the UCF Knights in a game that included four turnovers, including three in the first half.[69] The Cowboys defeated the Houston Cougars 43–30 the following week after trailing 9–23 in the second quarter.[70] Oklahoma State clinched a spot in the conference championship game following their double-overtime defeat of BYU on November 25.[71] They last won the Big 12 in 2011, and their last appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game was in 2021. Oklahoma State entered the championship game ranked  19 in both the AP and Coaches polls and  18 in the CFP ranking.[72] [73] Gordon led the FBS with 1,580 rushing yards, having rushed for more than 100 yards in all but one Big 12 conference game.[74] [75] Cowboys linebacker Nickolas Martin led the Big 12 in tackles with 120. Two Cowboys players were named to the all-Big 12 first team and three were named to the all-Big 12 second team; Gordon II was awarded Offensive Player of the Year and Gundy was named Coach of the Year.

    Game summary

    The 22nd edition of the Big 12 Championship Game was held on December 2, 2023, and featured 84,523 people in attendance, a Big 12 title game record. The game was broadcast on ABC,[76] drawing an average of 7.89 million television viewers.[77]

    First half

    Texas won the pregame coin toss to determine starting possession and elected to receive the second half kickoff, resulting in Texas kicking off to Oklahoma State to begin the game at 11:12 a.m. CST.[78] The Cowboys's opening drive ended with a three-and-out following three consecutive incomplete passes by Cowboys quarterback Alan Bowman. A kicking interference penalty on the subsequent punt was followed by a 39-yard scoring drive by the Longhorns, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from quartrback Quinn Ewers to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. After forcing a second non-scoring drive from Oklahoma State, Texas took a 14–0 lead on a drive that included a 54-yard reception by wide receiver Xavier Worthy and a 24-yard touchdown reception by tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders on a reverse flea flicker. A defensive pass interference penalty on the ensuing Cowboys drive and a 34-yard pass to Oklahoma State wide receiver Rashod Owens set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brennan Presley to narrow Texas's lead to seven points. Texas subsequently completed another scoring drive, with Ewers recording his third touchdown with a 2-yard pass to defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. A Fox Sports article named the touchdown pass the play of the game. The Cowboys had the ball to end the first quarter, with the Longhorns leading 21–7 at the quarter's end.

    Longhorns defensive back Kitan Crawford intercepted a pass into triple coverage by Bowman at the Longhorns's 5-yard line on the first play of the second quarter. The Longhorns would take advantage of the turnover, completing a 7-play and 95-yard drive that included a 62-yard gain off of a pass to Mitchell and a 10-yard touchdown run by running back CJ Baxter to widen Texas's lead back to three touchdowns. The Longhorns forced another three-and-out and regained possession, but linebacker Nickolas Martin intercepted Ewers in Texas territory, ending Texas's only non-scoring drive of the first half.[79] The 27-yard interception return gave the Cowboys a short field, setting up a 7-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Rashod Owens. Texas reclaimed their three-touchdown lead with an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Jaydon Blue on the subsequent drive, giving Ewers four touchdown passes. On Oklahoma State's ensuing drive, Texas recovered a fumble by wide receiver Leon Johnson III at the Oklahoma State 47-yard line after catching a pass. Despite advancing to the Oklahoma State 25-yard line, a Texas delay of game moved the Longhorns back five yards and preceded a missed field goal by Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn, ending a streak of 19 successful field goals.[80] The Cowboys had the final drive of the first half, but advanced only 12 yards before kneeling to close out the half. Texas led 35–14 at the end of the second quarter. The combined 49 points were the most scored in a half of a Big 12 Championship Game, ahead of the previous record of 46 set in the 2001 Big 12 Championship Game.

    Halftime show

    Nelly performed at the title game halftime show, the first in the title game's history.[81] [82]

    Second half

    With a sizable lead, Texas's gameplay in the second half was mostly predicated on running out the clock.[83] Texas received the opening kickoff of the second half. Longhorns defensive back Derek Williams Jr. was ejected from the game for targeting on the kickoff return. Both Texas and Oklahoma State's first drives of the second half ended in punts, with Texas's being their only punt of the game. The first score of the second half was off of a 57-yard rush along the sideline by Longhorns running back Keilan Robinson in the third quarter. Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy injured his ankle early in the fourth quarter, putting him out of the game. Texas scored their final points of the game with an 11-yard touchdown run by Robinson at the end of a 15-play and 7-minute drive in the fourth quarter, giving the Longhorns a 49–14 lead. The Cowboys scored on their final, 89-yard drive on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Bowman to Owens to bring the score to 49–21. Oklahoma State did not subsequently attempt an onside kick, leaving Texas with the ball to end the game with snaps taken by backup quarterbacks Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning on the game's last drive.

    With the win, Texas clinched the Big 12 championship title for the first time since 2009 and their fourth time overall.[84] The Longhorns accumulated 662 yards of total offense compared to 281 from the Cowboys, and had an over 40-minute time of possession. The Longhorns were the only team from a Power Five conference in 20 years to gain 400 yards and 35 points in a single half of a conference title game. Ewers was named the Big 12 Championship's Most Outstanding Player. His 452 passing yardsa career high[85] set a Big 12 Championship Game record-high previously held by Sam Bradford.[86] His four touchdownsall in the first halfwere tied with Baker Mayfield and Ell Roberson for the most in a Big 12 title game.[87] Longhorns wide receivers Ja'Tavion Sanders and Adonai Mitchell recorded over 100 yards receiving apiece.[88] Cowboys wide receivers Owens and Presley accounted for 178 of Oklahoma State's 281 yards.[89] Ollie Gordon II was held to only 34 yards on 13 carries.

    Scoring summary

    Statistics

    Team statistics

    Team statistical comparison
    StatisticOklahoma StateTexas
    First downs13 33
    First downs rushing2 12
    First downs passing10 20
    First downs penalty1 1
    Third down efficiency3–10 10–16
    Fourth down efficiency1–1 2–2
    Total plays–net yards56–281 87–662
    Rushing attempts–net yards18–31 40–198
    Yards per rush1.7 5.0
    Yards passing250 464
    Pass completions–attempts22–38 36–47
    Interceptions thrown1 1
    Punt returns–total yards1–8 0–0
    Kickoff returns–total yards5–89 2–34
    Punts–total yardage5–214 1–51
    Fumbles–lost1–1 0–0
    Penalties–yards3–24 7–67
    Time of possession19:54 40:06

    Individual statistics

    Oklahoma State statistics
    Cowboys passing
    22–38 250 3–1
    Cowboys rushing
    13 34 0
    Sesi Vailahi 2 7 0
    Alan Bowman 1 −2 0
    (Team) 2 –8 0
    Cowboys receiving
    9 93 1
    Rashod Owens 4 85 2
    Ollie Gordon II 4 54 0
    Sesi Vailahi 2 12 0
    Leon Johnson III 2 7 0
    Jaden Bray 1 –1 0
    Texas statistics
    Longhorns passing
    35–46 452 4–1
    1–1 12 0–0
    Longhorns rushing
    4 75 2
    13 43 1
    10 33 0
    Savion Red 5 19 0
    1 12 0
    Quintrevion Wisner 3 11 0
    Quinn Ewers 3 6 0
    (Team) 1 –1 0
    Longhorns receiving
    6 109 1
    Ja'Tavion Sanders 8 105 1
    6 86 0
    4 48 0
    Jaydon Blue 3 38 1
    CJ Baxter 4 33 0
    Keilan Robinson 2 20 0
    1 12 0
    Gunnar Helm 1 11 0
    1 2 1

    Postgame effects

    Texas's win in the 2023 Big 12 Championship Game brought the team to a 12–1 record, marking their best season record since 2009.[90] Media outlets considered Texas to have remained in playoff contention with the championship victory. Although no team outside of the top six in the penultimate CFP rankings had earned a playoff berth in prior years, the unprecedented number of teams with one or fewer losses and Alabama's defeat of top-ranked Georgia in the 2023 SEC Championship Game appeared to sustain Texas's playoff bid. The Longhorns climbed to the  3 in the AP Poll and rose to a tie with Alabama at  4 in the Coaches Poll after their championship victory.[91] The final CFP ranking on December 3 granted Texas the  3 seed in the 2023–24 College Football Playoff, placing the Longhorns in a semifinal match against Washington in the 2024 Sugar Bowl.[92] Boo Corrigan, chair of the CFP Selection Committee, cited the Big 12 Championship Game result as part of the committee's rationale for placing Texas in the playoff.[93]

    Oklahoma State dropped to a 9–4 record for the season.[94] The Cowboys fell to  20 in the final CFP ranking,  21 in the Coaches Poll, and  22 in the AP Poll.[95] With the higher-ranked Oklahoma Sooners remaining outside the top-11 in the final CFP ranking and therefore missing out on a New Year's Six bowl game,[96] [97] Oklahoma State was granted a berth in the 2023 Texas Bowl to face Texas A&M following the championship loss, marking the 18th bowl game of Gundy's head coaching tenure.[98]

    A dead longhorn was found on the lawn of an Oklahoma State fraternity one day before the game, prompting concern from UT students at the time of the discover. Four OSU students were later arrested for the crime.[99]

    See also

    References

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