Texas vs. Oklahoma State Complete Game Preview

The Texas Longhorns will hit the road to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to face 5-4 Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys started the season off strong but have lost the previous three straight games, which is basically the opposite scenario for the Longhorns.

Both teams will be fighting for bowl eligibility in sub-freezing temperatures Saturday.

Will the Longhorns continue the momentum and become bowl eligible over the struggling Cowboys? Let's take a look.

When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla.

TV: Fox

Austin radio: KVET 98.1/1300

SiriusXM satellite radio: XM 202; Sirius 117; Internet 969; Spanish 550

Opening spread: Oklahoma State (-1), per OddsShark.com

Texas Keys to Victory

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Continue the Momentum

Texas has played a much better brand of football since the embarrassing shutout against Kansas State. The Longhorns appear to be playing with a sense of urgency with the bowl hopes still on the line.

This needs to continue against Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys started the season off with a close loss to the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles. The team continued to play well and went on a five-game winning streak. But the back-loaded schedule has cost Oklahoma State three consecutive losses.

The Longhorns have to continue to play with the idea of what remains on the line, especially on the road in one of the more hostile environments in the Big 12.

Run the Ball

The Longhorns ground game started off slow this season but has jelled together over the last two weeks. Running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray were only averaging 98.3 total rushing yards per game in the first eight games of the season. But the duo rushed for combined 384 yards against Texas Tech and West Virginia.

The offensive line is part of the reason for the progress of the running game. The O-line has continued to get better each week and has opened holes for the backs to do their jobs.

There's a chance of snow in Stillwater Saturday, which means this game would be the ideal time for Texas to continue pounding the rock. 

Oklahoma State Keys to Victory

Brett Deering/Getty Images

Get off to a Fast Start

Oklahoma State was once ranked as high as No. 15 in the AP poll but lost the last three games. The Cowboys need to bounce back from the three losses against a Texas team coming off of an upset victory over West Virginia.

The Longhorns have a little momentum heading into this game. The Cowboys need to stop that momentum early and get Texas on its heels.

Pressure Tyrone Swoopes

Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes has faced a lot of ups and downs in his first year starting for the Longhorns. The pieces around Swoopes appear to be getting better with each game, but one could say the quarterback is regressing.

Swoopes has not completed more than 13 passes over the last three games. Strong said his quarterback played like he had a defender in his face against West Virginia, even though there wasn't any pressure coming at him.

Oklahoma State needs to use Swoopes' regression to its advantage by putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

Texas Players to Watch

Eric Gay/Associated Press

DE Cedric Reed

Senior defensive end Cedric Reed has been frustrated this season. Reed entered his senior year ranked as the No. 1 defensive end prospect in the 2015 NFL draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper. But he has struggled to put up numbers comparable to his breakout junior season.

He took out his frustrations against the Mountaineers.

Reed picked up three sacks, four tackles for loss and 13 tackles against West Virginia. His performance earned him the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Athlon National Defensive Player of the Week.

Reed will likely continue to play with a sense of urgency considering he only has two games left to up his draft stock. 

RB Malcolm Brown

Brown has picked up 206 rushing yards over the last two games and will likely be heavily involved in the game plan against Oklahoma State. 

But his recent progress is only one reason why Brown is a player to watch. The other is because of his proven ability to produce in poor weather conditions. 

Brown rushed for 131 yards against Baylor last season in sub-freezing temperatures.

Expect to see Brown receive a lot of carries against the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State Players to Watch

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

ATH Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill is a threat to every opponent. The junior ranks first in the Big 12 and No. 10 nationally in all-purpose yards this season. Hill is utilized as a running back and a wide receiver, but his talent as a kickoff returner could be lethal for Texas.

The Longhorns special teams are one of the weaker links on the team. Texas ranks dead last in kickoff return defense and has allowed opponents to average 31.44 yards per return this season.

If Hill has the opportunity to return a kick, it could be a difference-maker in the game.

DE Emmanuel Ogbah

Redshirt sophomore defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah is having an outstanding season. The 6'4" Houston native ranks No. 4 nationally in tackles for loss and No. 5 in sacks.

In other words, Ogbah is a quarterback's nightmare.

The Longhorns offensive line has gradually progressed, but Ogbah could have a significant edge against Texas and will more than likely cause havoc for Swoopes.

What They're Saying

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Texas head coach Charlie Strong

"We can't get complacent. You're going to hear a lot about (the West Virginia) win, don't even worry about it, just brush it off. We've still got to stay the course. We still haven't finished our work. We still have work to get done. We need to continue to work, and I said that one of the worst things that can happen is all of a sudden we start thinking that we're better than what we are. Then you get complacent, you don't feel like we need to get better."

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, via OKState.com

"We're obviously playing a team that's completely different now, in our opinion, than in September. They've improved in a lot of different areas and so it'll be a real challenge for us, but the excitement in the players has been really good. We're looking forward to the preparation and to the game on Saturday."

Texas center Taylor Doyle

"This past weekend was a great win, but it's all about preparing this week for our next opponent. We've already celebrated the win. It's all about focusing on Oklahoma State and getting in the right position to be successful."

Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah

"Texas has a good run game and that’s how they beat West Virginia. West Virginia couldn’t tackle so that’s what we’re working on in practice. Just tackling drills and running to the ball."

Prediction

Erich Schlegel/Getty Images

A lot is on the line for Oklahoma State and Texas as both teams are fighting to become bowl eligible. The Cowboys will have home-field advantage and the crowd on their side, so it will be more important than ever for the Longhorns to take the crowd out of the game.

Even though the Cowboys opened as a slight favorite over the Longhorns, Texas has more momentum heading into this game. The Longhorns appear to be playing as a team for the first time this season, and that could be the game-changer Saturday.

If the weather report is accurate, this game has the possibility of being an utter mess. Playing football in snow is not something these teams are accustomed to, so proper preparation will be a key factor in who comes out on top.

If the Longhorns' momentum continues, Texas will become bowl eligible Saturday.

Texas 24, Oklahoma State 21

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's featured columnist covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.