Texas Longhorns Loss to Oklahoma Sooners Bringing Team 'Together'

The Texas Longhorns have no choice but to pick up their heads and focus on their season goals despite the loss to the Oklahoma Sooners.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Christian Jones didn't hesitate to admit how much Saturday's 34-30 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners is hurting the team right now. But as a veteran leader, he's setting the tone for how the Longhorns are preparing to move forward.

"It's hard, it's definitely hard," Jones said to reporters after the loss. " ... It's all hurting right now, the whole team. We do want to see them again. We just know we have to take it day by day. A loss like this does bring a team together closer."

"We're going to go back to Austin and come back home look at the film, fix our mistakes and just move on."

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) checks on wide receiver Jordan Whittington (13) after the Longhorns lose to the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl / © Jerome Miron, USA TODAY

The Longhorns have fallen to No. 9 in the AP Poll as a result of their first loss of the season. But with six games remaining and a spot in the Big 12 Championship still within reach, there's hardly any reason to suddenly sit back and settle for an Alamo Bowl berth for the billionth time. It remains a season that has the potential to be one of the best the program has had since 2009's National Championship loss.

Of course, the Longhorns will only be shooting themselves in the foot if they let the emotions of wanting a rematch with Oklahoma get in the way of the focus that'll be required for meetings with BYU, Kansas State and Texas Tech. While all six remaining games are essentially must-win contests for Texas' Big 12 title hopes, those three matchups currently stand out.

Still, the Longhorns will be hard-pressed to find a better reason to be motivated. Balancing the thought of the OU loss in the back of their minds as they take on the rest of their six opponents could be a mental recipe for success for a Texas team that will need to be sharp between the ears if there's any chance of winning the Big 12.

After their bye week, the Longhorns visit the Houston Cougars on Saturday, Oct. 21 at TDECU Stadium.