Joseph Ossai
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020, file photo, Texas' Sam Ehlinger (11) looks to pass against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas. Ehlinger is the last of the Longhorns' 2020 season captains still standing. The others have either opted out of playing the Alamo Bowl against Colorado or will miss the game for an injury. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Alamo Bowl pits Colorado's Broussard vs depleted Texas D

By The Associated Press Dec. 28, 2020 06:05 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020, file photo, Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson (6) runs 75-yards to score a touchdown on the first play of an NCAA college football game against California in Corvallis, Ore. Jefferson was selected as the PAC-12 offensive player of the year along with Colorado running back Jarek Broussard. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman, File)
Ehlinger last captain standing for Texas vs Buffs in bowl

By Jim Vertuno Dec. 28, 2020 04:26 PM EST

Texas outside linebacker Joseph Ossai carries during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. Ossai was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Texas at Oklahoma State 10/31/2020

Dec. 28, 2020 12:03 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020, file photo, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) tosses the ball during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Norman, Okla. Rattler, a redshirt freshman, was an All Big 12 first-team pick and shared newcomer of the year honors with West Virginia senior linebacker Tony Fields II, a transfer from Arizona. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
AP All-Big 12: Iowa State players and coach win top awards

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 24, 2020 12:09 PM EST

Colorado running back Jarek Broussard (23) runs for a first down against Colorado during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
No. 20 Texas meets ex-Big 12 foe Colorado in Alamo Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 05:06 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020, file photo, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy (15) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Ames, Iowa. No. 15 Iowa State would reach the Big 12 championship game for the first time if can win at No. 20 Texas on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 15 Iowa St can nab title game shot against No. 20 Texas

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2020 10:14 AM EST

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Derek Kerstetter (68) and offensive lineman Denzel Okafor (78) in front of Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (20) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sam Ehlinger gets last shot against West Virginia at home

By John Raby Nov. 05, 2020 06:00 PM EST

West Virginia quarterback Jarret Doege (2) makes a pass against Kansas State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Morgantown, W.Va. (William Wotring/The Dominion-Post via AP)
Texas-West Virginia a Big 12 matchup of defensive playmakers

By The Associated Press Nov. 05, 2020 05:57 PM EST

Texas defensive back Chris Adimora (1) moves in to tackle Oklahoma State running back LD Brown (0) in overtime of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Ehlinger's TD pass helps Texas beat No. 6 Oklahoma St. in OT

By Cliff Brunt Oct. 31, 2020 08:30 PM EDT

Texas running back Keaontay Ingram, left, dives into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Lacy (89) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma at Texas Tech 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 05:49 PM EDT

Texas wide receiver Jake Smith (7) is hit by TCU safety Ar'Darius Washington (24) as he makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
TCU at Texas 10/3/2020

Oct. 03, 2020 01:15 PM EDT

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger passes downfield under pressure from defensive lineman Eli Howard during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday Sept. 26, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mark Rogers)
No. 9 Texas hosts TCU as Big 12's highest-ranked team

By The Associated Press Oct. 01, 2020 02:35 PM EDT

Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman (10) warms up prior to an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger lost his top receiving targets from a year ago but has found plenty of options so far in 2020. The No. 8 Longhorns spread around seven touchdowns to seven different receivers in their first game. Now they go on the road to open Big 12 play against Texas Tech. Bowman was one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the country in 2018 only to have part of that season and much of 2019 wiped out by injuries. He's back and threw for 430 yards against Houston Baptist. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Ehlinger has plenty of passing options at No. 8 Texas

By Jim Vertuno Sep. 24, 2020 01:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 file photo, Texas linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) and defensive lineman Peter Mpagi (45) rush LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during an NCAA football game in Austin, Texas. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)
No. 14 Texas eager to get to kickoff with opener vs UTEP

By Jim Vertuno Sep. 10, 2020 02:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 file photo, Texas's Jordan Whittington (21) runs against Louisiana Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas. Oklahoma State, TCU and Baylor have already had their first games delayed by a week or postponed indefinitely because of virus outbreaks. And until Texas and UTEP players pass their final Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 COVID-19 tests, their game will remain a question mark. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Texas faces UTEP in tuneup before chasing Big 12 title

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2020 02:01 PM EDT

FILE - Texas linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) hits Utah wide receiver Derrick Vickers (8) during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Ossai should have a big season in a new position. A linebacker in Texas' old 3-4 scheme, Ossai led Texas in tackles, then switched to a rush end position in the Alamo Bowl and delivered three sacks in a dominant win over Utah.(AP Photo/Austin Gay, File)
Texas chases Big 12 title with Ehlinger and rebuilt staff

By Jim Vertuno Sep. 01, 2020 01:29 PM EDT

Texas running back Roschon Johnson (2) has his face mask grabbed by Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Ehlinger leads Texas' Alamo Bowl romp over No. 12 Utah 38-10

By Jim Vertuno Dec. 31, 2019 10:50 PM EST

Texas running back Keaontay Ingram (26) stiff-arms Kansas cornerback Hasan Defense (13) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
No. 15 Texas beats Kansas 50-48 on last-second FG

By Jim Vertuno Oct. 19, 2019 11:24 PM EDT

Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard (30) attempts to avoid a tackle by Tulsa linebacker Cooper Edmiston (42) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Tulsa, Okla. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Texas and Oklahoma State duel for early Big 12 lead

By The Associated Press Sep. 19, 2019 02:32 PM EDT