Nightmare In Stillwater: Oklahoma State Suffers Horrific Loss To Texas

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Think back to when the Oklahoma State Cowboys played the Baylor Bears and senior quarterback Zac Robinson was nearly perfect.

Finishing 23 of 27, Robinson had become the most efficient passer in the Big XII.

Now fast forward time to just before kickoff of ESPN's second primetime game Saturday night. It's Halloween night in the excited town of Stillwater, Okla.

As the Cowboys approach their new traditional entrance to Boone Pickens Stadium, they were led (most of the way) by a man carrying a chainsaw. The Halloween-themed evening was filled with both black and orange.

Shirts reading "Nightmare In Stillwater" showing a tombstone on its back with an upside down Longhorn symbol, something every fan in Cowboy Nation hoped would come true.

The Cowboys dream of going to the Big XII Championship depended on this game, as well as making a statement that they truly were ready for "primetime."

Colt McCoy, however, had something else in mind. His undefeated Texas Longhorns reserved the actual idea of Stillwater's hopeful nightmare, and sent in right into the Cowboys face.

The Cowboys were in their own nightmare.

Robinson suffered more than any other, throwing a career-high five interceptions.

Now, Cowboy fans are starting to question if they are really ready to become a factor in the BCS.

Cowboy nation has witnessed their team beat everyone in their conference, except for the crown jewels, Texas and Oklahoma.

Those two teams seemed to have buried the Cowboys for decades, Oklahoma State has not beaten their bedlam rival Oklahoma since 2002, and haven't beat Texas (despite numerous opportunities) since 1997.

Yes, Oklahoma State has risen from the Big XII graveyard, but only to be stuck in third place.

Head coach Mike Gundy has built his team around speed and skill players to the best of his ability. But he has yet to bring in a group the likes of which could compete with either the Longhorns or Sooners.

Robinson and fellow seniors Keith Toston, Patrick Lavine, Andre Sexton, and Parrish Cox have never been capable of beating either of those teams in their four years at Oklahoma State.

Though a bowl game is certain and a shot at a ten win season is still within their grasp, the young nucleus must find some way to regain composure after being brutally embarrassed by a determined Texas team.

The Cowboys have put up a sign saying "CONTENDERS", but thus far, they have proved much less than that. Though they may not be on the "PRETENDER" level, they are not far from it. Four games remain in the season, and only one truly difficult test.

Norman, home of the Oklahoma Sooners, where under coach Bob Stoops, the Sooners have only lost two games.

Robinson has his chance to finally beat the Oklahoma Sooners, four years waiting, one last shot. Though a win over the depleted Sooners would not confirm the Cowboys as "CONTENDERS" it would certainly aim them in the right direction.

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