Texas Football: 5 Biggest Obstacles Between the Longhorns and a Big 12 Title

The media has begun singing praise of what the Texas Longhorns may do this season, encapsulated in at least a shot at a Big 12 title, the program's first since outdoing Nebraska in 2009 en route to a BCS National Championship appearance.

The stage is obviously set. A potent offense, an experienced team, a veteran quarterback who still has some upside and a flurry of talented playmakers on either side of the football.

But there are still nine other teams, by default, standing in the way of Texas' conference title hopes, some posing a bigger threat than others.

Here are five of the biggest obstacles that may prevent the Longhorns from achieving one of their seasonal objectives.

Oklahoma

A fourth straight loss to Oklahoma in Dallas does not preclude the Longhorns from winning the Big 12, but beating the Sooners will definitely help their chances.

Getting over that hump, an effort that has failed repeatedly in the past few seasons, is the kind of momentum and confidence boost the Longhorns may need to see their objective all the way until the final game of the season.

In a similar light, exorcising the demons against Kansas State is another barrier to overcome. Texas last beat the Wildcats in 2004 and even then had to rally late to win 24-20.

For the guys currently on Texas' roster, very few, if any, have experienced a winning day at the Cotton Bowl, and a 2013 victory could go a very long way toward a Big 12 Title.

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State is one of the other favorites picked to win the Big 12 this season, and for good reason.

The Cowboys once again figure to boast one of the FBS' best offenses, and frankly, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. In the past three seasons, OSU holds a 33-6 record with a 22-4 mark in the Big 12. Furthermore, since posting a mediocre 7-6 record in 2007, Mike Gundy's program has put up five consecutive nine-win seasons.

Texas, on the other hand, is only starting to regain its swagger, but there is still much to prove to the general public as well as its fanbase.

The two teams are scheduled to clash November 16 in Austin in what could very well be a decisive match for the conference championship.

Offensive Collapse

What? No defensive collapse? What gives?

Well, in the Big 12, where the spread offense has been king, sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

In a year when the Longhorns return some of the best talent in the Big 12, they may not have to be as crisp defensively. If that indeed is the case, any shortcomings offensively could spell big trouble when competing against other potent offenses.

Interestingly enough, the season could easily come down to a couple of games where offense will be a huge requirement to win, namely against Oklahoma State and Baylor. If the Longhorns cannot match and exceed them point for point, it simply will not be enough.

The defensive improvements this year should be taken as icing on the cake.

Three Losses

Over the past decade, no team has won the Big 12 with more than two losses, and only three championship teams have gone undefeated in conference. So the Longhorns can afford to lose games, they just cannot make a habit of it. Three wins just will not cut it.

In a weaker Big 12, with several teams going into quarterback transition periods, the road to a championship has to be a little easier than usual. But since 2004, only two teams (2007 Oklahoma, 2010 Oklahoma) have claimed the Big 12 Title with a two-loss record.

Texas' Big 12 schedule looks like this:

• vs. Kansas State
• at Iowa State
• vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
• at TCU
• vs. Kansas
• at West Virginia
• vs. Oklahoma State
• vs. Texas Tech
• at Baylor

If the Longhorns lose to Oklahoma, then they can only afford one more loss, and it could come against TCU, Oklahoma State and possibly even Baylor if the Bears' offense is as effective as usual. By beating the Sooners, Texas buys itself some generous leeway if it trips up later down the road.

Wins

As simple as it sounds, Texas just needs to win.

Some pin the Longhorns as outright favorites, others have Oklahoma State atop the conference. To squash any doubters, Texas just needs wins.

If the 'Horns do challenge for a conference title, the attention will only increase late in the season, which is where dedication and focus will be of the utmost importance to win football games.

Winning cures everything.