Texas (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (2-1, 0-0 Big 12)

Kickoff: Saturday, 7:50 p.m. ET (FOX)

Spread: Texas by 2

Watchability: If this is anything close to last week's primetime Big 12 game (K-State's win over Oklahoma), it's appointment television. That game told us a lot about the Big 12 race, and this should as well. Is Texas legit? Was Oklahoma State's loss at Arizona simply because of turnovers and the absence of defensive coordinator Bill Young? Or have the Cowboys taken a step back? Add in the storyline that Mike Gundy likely isn't going to say who he's starting at quarterback, and this game is well worth tuning in.

Shining stars: Texas: Malcolm Brown established himself as the workhorse running back against Ole Miss, running for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries a week after he was oddly given only two carries against New Mexico. Brown ran for 135 yards and two TDs against Texas last season. Oklahoma State: QB J.W. Walsh. Yes, Gundy is saying there's a chance injured QB Wes Lunt plays, but it's likely gamesmanship. And it's not like Walsh isn't a worthy starter. He was fantastic against Louisana, throwing for 347 yards and four touchdowns and running for 73 yards and a score. The Longhorns did see a similar QB in their last game against Ole Miss in dual-threat QB Bo Wallace.

Who could steal the show: Texas: QB David Ash. It's weird to feature a Texas quarterback here, as that's been an area of weakness since Colt McCoy left. The Longhorns might have finally found their man in Ash, who had the best game of his career against Ole Miss, going 19 of 23 for 326 yards and four touchdowns. The UT offense has also found a formula that works, using the run to set up a downfield passing attack. Oklahoma State: RB Joseph Randle is back in the coaching staff's good graces after some fumbling issues in the first couple games. If Walsh starts, the Cowboys could feature the run more than they typically do. Last season, OSU averaged 7.5 yards per carry against UT's defense, which was focused on stopping the passing game.

You going? Ranking the road trip: This is essentially the home opener for the Cowboys, who outscored their first two opponents at Boone Pickens Stadium 149-24. The only home game on the schedule that even comes close to matching this one is a Nov. 10 game against West Virginia.

Magic number for Texas: 2. Last season, one big reason Oklahoma State won this game was a plus-2 turnover margin. It was Ash's first start and he threw two interceptions. The turnover battle is huge in the Big 12 and that could be the difference.

Magic number for Oklahoma State: 167. That's the number of yards the Cowboys were penalized against Arizona. They need to clean it up to beat Texas.

This game comes down to: The Texas defense. The Longhorns should be able to put up some points on Oklahoma State's defense. The hype surrounding the Longhorns centers mostly on their defense. It's time for them to prove themselves if they want to get back to contending for championships.

Prediction: Texas 31. Oklahoma State 28

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).