Texas Longhorns Dominate Texas Tech Red Raiders, Clinch Big 12 Championship Berth

The Texas Longhorns bid a bloody farewell to their longtime rival Texas Tech Red Raiders, and clinched a berth in the Big 12 title game along the way.

AUSTIN, TX -- Are the Texas Longhorns finally back? 

After a 57-7 blowout over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Austin - a win that sealed their Big 12 Championship game appearance in Arlinton next Saturday - it would certainly appear that way.

No, it was not a perfect performance from the Horns. In fact, far from it, with Texas having to settle for five field goals from kicker Brett Auburn. Not to mention an interception from Quinn Ewers. 

Ewers, in fact, was as quiet as you will ever see a QB in a 50-point blowout, completing 17-26 passes for 196 yards with a touchdown and the pick.

Rather, it was the defense, the running game - which rushed for 302 yards, including 121 from Jaydon Blue - and the special teams that owned the night for the Horns. 

However, despite those mistakes and unfinished drives, the Longhorns absolutely decimated their long-time rival Red Raiders in all three phases of the game, in what was perhaps their most complete team performance of the season.

And the statement could not have come at a better time.

Texas Longhorns DT Byron Murphy celebrates with T'Vondre Sweat :: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

On the same night that Oregon was attempting to make a statement to the College Football Playoff committee of their own, the Longhorns not only scored a blowout win, but they did it against the one common opponent that they and the Ducks had in common.

Will that be enough for the Horns to push past an Oregon team that is likely Pac-12 title game-bound? That is unclear. 

What it did do, however, was send a message to the committee that the Longhorns are a force to be reckoned with, and should not be overlooked in the next edition of the rankings - regardless of the Oregon finish.

They will also be eagerly looking on at the results of the Michigan vs. Ohio State on Saturday, and the Pac-12 and Big Ten Championships next week.

Before then, however, all the Longhorns can do is sit, and wait, and see who their opponent in Arlington will be next Saturday.

Kickoff at AT&T Stadium is set for 11 am CT.

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