ESPN Big 12 Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy expected to be playing in the Big 12 championship game next week. It didn't make his team's disappointment at being nosed out by Oklahoma any easier to swallow.

"Today was a really tough day, waiting around to find out we didn't make the Big 12 championship game," McCoy said. "That was very disappointing because we had finished the season so strong and done so well against the two teams that are playing in the game."

McCoy and the rest of the Texas team learned their fate late Sunday afternoon from coach Mack Brown. That meeting helped unify the team, McCoy said.

"We had a great team meeting and coach Brown pushed all of the positives with us, like he always does," McCoy said. "He told us that it was okay to be disappointed but after the meeting it was time to move forward and be prepared to get ready for a big bowl game."

Most observers think the Longhorns are a lock to end up in a BCS bowl. But McCoy still isn't giving up hope that his team might play for the national championship.

"There is a lot left out there to play for and crazy things happen all the time in college football so who knows where we'll end up," McCoy said. "We'll stay focused and be ready to finish this season strong, especially for our seniors. Once we know where we're going, we'll get ourselves prepared to play our best game of the season."

The 11-1 Longhorns have confounded pundits who expected them to contend for the middle of the pack in the South Division.

Instead, the Longhorns raced for eight straight victories and a brief No. 1 ranking before they were stunned at Lubbock on a dramatic touchdown pass against Texas Tech from Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree with one second left.

The Longhorns are only the second team in Big 12 history to beat both division finalists in the same season, beating Missouri and Oklahoma earlier this year. The 2006 Texas team beat Nebraska and Oklahoma, but didn't make the championship game.

"It's very unfortunate that two teams we beat are playing for the Big 12 championship game, but that's the way it works," senior wide receiver Quan Cosby said. "We still have a lot to play for. We're going to relax and take care of schoolwoork, but then get right back to work and be hungry to play in a great game."

Defensive end Brian Orakpo was hurt for much of that game, but said he has been proud of what his team has battled through this season.

"There were a lot of people saying that we weren't going to be that good. A lot of people doubted us," Orakpo said. "But, we've played great this season. We were consistent each and every week. We worked hard, played hard and acted right during the year. The word I would use to describe it is phenomenal.

"There aren't a lot of people that can say they were 11-1 during a college football season, especially considering that we beat both of our rivals. It is a great accomplishment for this team and it shows how much hard work we put into this season."

Orakpo, a finalist for the Lombardi Award, said the Longhorns still have much to play for.

"We'll get a chance to play in a great bowl game," Orakpo said. "I've just been telling the guys to keep their heads up. We have a lot to play for. We'll use this as motivation. We still want to prove to everyone that we're the best team in the country. It's really important to us that we play well in the bowl game because we want to finish this season off right."