Texas turnaround?

Oklahoma’s loss Saturday at Texas Tech did more than knock the 10th-ranked Sooners out of the national championship picture. It kept Texas in contention for the Big 12 South title and a possible BCS game.

The No. 13 Longhorns had an 0-2 conference record for the first time since 1956 after their 28-21 loss to Oklahoma on Oct. 6. They have since won five games in a row.

If Texas wins Friday at Texas A&M, and Oklahoma loses Saturday to Oklahoma State, the Longhorns are the Big 12 South champions. That would put them in the Big 12 championship game, where another victory would guarantee a BCS game.

Still, Mack Brown doesn’t want his team looking past Texas A&M, which won last year’s grudge match.

“We need to be focused on this game, and not worry about anything around it,” Brown said. “After a couple of mishaps early, this team has been fighting every day to get back in the mix, and done that because they paid attention and did not look around.”

Bob Stoops has to get Oklahoma over its disappointment and ready for its rivalry game.

All tied up

There will be a three-way tie for the South Division lead if Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma and Texas loses to Texas A&M this weekend.

If so, who goes to the Big 12 championship game?

The first tiebreaker is head-to-head, and the three teams would be 1-1 against each other. The second tiebreaker? Division record, and all would be 3-2.

Next, it would be the teams’ head-to-head record against the next-place team in the South Division. Yet another tie, since Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas would have all split their games against Texas Tech and Texas A&M, the teams that would be tied for fourth. They all beat last-place Baylor.

Now we’re down to common opponents from the North, but they have none.

The final determination is the highest-ranked team in the BCS standings. Currently, Oklahoma is 10th, Texas is 13th and Oklahoma State isn’t in the top 25.

Extra points

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is appealing the $10,000 fine imposed by the Big 12 against him after his harsh criticism of referees following a loss at Texas. Leach may not have to pay the fine anyway. A group of Red Raider alumni have launched an “I Like Mike” drive to raise money to pay the coach’s fine. … Kansas State has played all its Big 12 games, but isn’t finished with the regular season. The Wildcats play Saturday against Fresno State. Coach Ron Prince said that game was moved to late November when K-State had the chance to add Auburn to its schedule as the opener. That also created an open date before playing at Texas, a game they won 41-21.