Can Oklahoma State stay level-headed going into Austin?

Oklahoma State vs. Texas is always a big game. With a lot of OSU players from Texas, how can the team stay level-headed going into this weekend?

STILLWATER -- The first conference game of the season is always a big deal, it doesn't matter who you play. Unless it's being played against No. 12 Texas in Austin on prime time at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Maria Taylor on the call, then it's an even bigger game.

There are plenty of other factors going into this game make it a big deal. For example, Oklahoma State enters this game having won five-straight against the Longhorns in Austin. Or the fact that the Cowboys have won six out of the last nine match ups. Or the fact that the majority of OSU players are from Texas and as Mike Gundy put it on Monday, not one of them were offered by Texas.

So, as you can see, a lot goes into this game. So, for guys like Spencer Sanders or A.J. Green, how do they overlook the fact that it's Texas, the conference opener and everything else that goes into this game?

“Just because it’s Texas, doesn’t mean that we’re going to change the way we’re going to practice or anything,” said Spencer Sanders. “We’re going to practice just as hard as we’ve been, we’re going to do what we’ve been doing and we’re just going to play as a team and execute it. It doesn’t change anything just because we’re playing Texas, we look the same at them as we look at McNeese.”

For corner A.J. Green, it seems even more simple: Just use your experience.

“Me, going in with experience, I just try to tell the younger guys to ‘not get lost in the moment, this is the same game you’ve been playing since you were younger,’” said A.J. Green. “I just go out there and play football. Play disciplined, no unwanted penalties or mistakes and just go out there and compete."

I'm not going to downplay anything, this is a tough Texas team. Probably one of the tougher Texas teams that Oklahoma State will have faced in a while. But with the way the offense is clicking with the leading rusher and receiver in the nation, and the way the defense pulled it together in the second half against Tulsa, I certainly like the Pokes' chances.

Oh, and I also asked with Spencer growing up just a few hours north of Austin, did he ever dream while growing up of playing for the Longhorns and his answer was short and to the point: "No, never. I did not."