Three times it made us believe we were in for a fourth-quarter game. All three times, the Longhorns spurted away. Texas displayed its potent run-pass combination. Balance like that will turn your post- game sockhop into a victory dance most every Saturday. OSU's offense was two dimensions short of two-dimensional.
Truth is, the last two years are an aberration.
The Cowboys were close to Texas in talent and coaching and made the most of it. But those days appear gone. Applewhite looks 14 but plays like 34. He's a sophomore, and we can keep calling him Opie Taylor or Richie Cunningham or any other character created by Ron Howard, but Applewhite already is the best quarterback in the Big 12, and look out Drew Brees, maybe beyond. He's a tremendous player.