Austin, Texas ? Cedric Benson knew he was in trouble even as the words tumbled out of his mouth.

In a national radio interview last month, the Texas tailback was asked if he’d rather beat Oklahoma or win the Heisman Trophy. His answer: win the Heisman.

Uh, oh. The Heisman? How about beating a team that has dominated Texas for four years? How about gaining some meaningful yards against the Sooners first?

“I knew at the time when I answered it would stir things up,” said Benson, the nation’s leading rusher at 186.5 yards a game. “But I don’t think it’s any big deal now.”

Actually, the Oklahoma-Heisman scenario probably isn’t an either-or situation.

If Benson has a big game, and No. 5 Texas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) beats the second-ranked Sooners (4-0, 1-0) in the Red River Shootout on Saturday, he becomes one of the top contenders for the trophy.

A fifth-straight Texas loss in the rivalry could cost him an invitation to the Downtown Athletic Club.

“I’ve heard a few people say I have to win this game to win the Heisman,” Benson said. “They probably said it to get me going. They might go hand in hand. I have no idea.”

Benson has been a non-factor against the Sooners the past three years, totaling just 75 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries.

During the radio interview, he tried to justify his unpopular answer by saying that he had dreamed of winning the Heisman since he was a little kid. He would take a win over the Sooners if he could play offense and defense and make every play on special teams.

Hardly anyone paid attention to that part.

The Heisman answer created a tempest among Longhorns fans. Many were angry that he valued an individual award over a team goal.

Others appreciated his honesty.

Benson now says his ultimate goal is to win a team award — the national championship.

“That would be awesome,” Benson said. “That’s what all our work is for.”

So again, that means beating the Sooners.

Saturday’s winner becomes the favorite to win the Big 12 Conference and a Bowl Championship Series berth. It also means an early angle on the national title game if UT can remain undefeated.

Any contribution from Benson would be appreciated.

As a freshman in 2001, he didn’t play against the Sooners because coach Mack Brown said he wasn’t good enough in pass protection. Benson started every game after that and became the first freshman in Texas history to rush for 1,000 yards.

The Sooners shut him down in 2002, and last season’s 65-13 rout got out of hand so quickly that Texas had no reason to give him the ball.

This year could be different. Benson now is better than ever.

“He looks as good as I’ve ever seen,” Brown said. “He looks faster to me.”