Texas Longhorns

Texas feels good after beating Oklahoma, but 'still at 2-4'

Published Oct. 20, 2015 12:57 p.m. ET

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- If the Texas Longhorns are still giddy after their big win over Oklahoma that many called a program changer, junior defensive tackle Paul Boyette is happy to spoil the fun.

"We played our butts off against Oklahoma," Boyette said Monday. "But we're still sitting here at 2-4."

Boyette delivered a stark reminder that probably needs repeating to the young team that pulled off a shocking upset after getting blown out by TCU just a week earlier.

The Longhorns (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) had a week off to soak up the win, strut around the neighborhood and even start talking about reaching a bowl game.

But the reality is the Longhorns are still a long way from even a .500 record halfway through the season. Add a mention that the next opponent, Kansas State, just got blown out 55-0 at home by Oklahoma and coach Charlie Strong will be fighting to prevent a dangerous level of self-satisfaction from settling in.

Strong himself fielded only a handful of questions about Kansas State at his weekly news conference, which was dominated by the theme of whether his program had finally turned things around.

"So much has happened. We had never lost our team. It wasn't like the earth was falling," said Strong, who was tossed in the air in celebration by his players after the victory. "Now that it has happened for them, you just hope the confidence continues to build on and on."

But Strong can also tell his players to look in the mirror to size up what's coming next.

Kansas State (3-3, 0-3) has lost three in a row. Before the blowout by Oklahoma, the Wildcats had dropped excruciating late losses to Oklahoma State and TCU.

Like Texas did with Oklahoma, the Wildcats will be eyeing the Longhorns as a chance to turn their season around.

Strong watched only a few plays of Saturday's game, chalked it up as a bad day for Kansas State and paid no more attention.

"I know that's not who that football team is," Strong said. "The same thing happened to us. We were able to bounce back. Be ready for a team that comes ready to play, a team that's mentally and physically tough."

Texas players remember a 23-0 loss at Kansas State last year, arguably the low point for the Texas offense in Strong's two seasons. And they remember the beating they took from their own fans after getting blown out two weeks ago by TCU.

Kansas State will be going through the same thing.

"They're going to hear it all week," Texas senior wide receiver Marcus Johnson said. "They'll be a different team."