Take a Chance ... or be Young?

Texas heads toward OU on a high note, but with a decision to make

Backup QB Vince Young was Texas' leading rushing against Kansas State. AP

AUSTIN, Texas -- They waited until there was absolutely no chance they could still lose the game.

But then as the final 25 seconds ticked down on their Longhorns' hard-fought 24-20 victory over Kansas State, the 83,643 burnt orange-clad spectators at Royal-Memorial Stadium began the chant.

"Beat OU! Beat OU!"

After watching the way No. 13 Texas rallied to beat the 16th-ranked Wildcats on Saturday, it's clear the Longhorns will be bringing a different kind of offense to Dallas next week than in any of their three previous, unsuccessful Red River Shootout meetings with Oklahoma.

The question is, which one?

Will they take a Chance and continue their two-quarterback rotation?

Or will they hand over the reins to their rising Young star?

"It's the same [offense]," said fourth-year Texas receiver Roy Williams. "Just a lot more quarterback runs."

He's got that right.

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Freshman sensation Vince Young, who replaced starter Chance Mock midway through the third quarter and, with the exception of missing a few plays after tweaking his ankle, stayed the rest of the way, ran 17 times against the Wildcats, gaining 80 yards.

Without looking it up, here's wondering whether Chris Simms ran 17 times in his career, sacks not included.

Young's impressive mobility -- and, as he unveiled in a big way Saturday, uncanny composure -- may be just the ingredient Texas has been missing in its thus-far unsuccessful attempts to crack Bob Stoops' speedy defense.

"I think Vince helped us out a lot," said running back Cedric Benson. "The defense has to be very leery of his attacking ability. When he was in the game, it seemed like the defense played a little loose."

While Young had gotten a few chances to show off his ability in the Longhorns' first four games, they were usually in garbage time. Not having to lead his team back after it had fallen behind late against a top 20 team, which he did, engineering a 10-play, 88-yard drive that included a picture perfect 52-yard bomb to Tony Jeffery and culminated in his 1-yard sneak on fourth and goal.

"[Kansas State's defense] was running over us. We couldn't block them," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "That's why we took Chance out and put Vince in, because he's more mobile."

Of course, Brown declined to discuss what his plans might be for next week.

"I told them they need to enjoy this tonight and not talk about OU," said Brown. "We can start talking about OU after we watch tape tomorrow, which is the way it should be."

Criticized in recent years for their conservative, simplistic game plans, the new-look 'Horns were anything but conventional Saturday, as witnessed by their game plan, which utilized an endless dose of quarterback sprints, option keepers and misdirection.

However, it didn't necessarily translate into a more powerful offense. Williams, who may well be the first selection in next April's NFL Draft, was a virtual non-factor, catching three balls for 22 yards, though he did drop a wide-open pass the one time Texas threw down field to him. And Benson continues to struggle, gaining just 54 yards on 17 carries. The Longhorns' offensive line remains a work in progress.

What Texas doesn't have to worry about, however, is its defense, which pressured standout K-State QB Ell Roberson into 5-of-18 passing and two interceptions, blocked a punt for a touchdown and forced a Roberson fumble to set up the winning drive.

Defensively, the Longhorns actually match up quite well with the Sooners. They're a tad soft against the run (K-State's Darren Sproles managed 128 yards on 24 carries, Roberson 87 on 17), but Oklahoma has turned into more of a passing team, which is good news when you have cornerbacks like Nathan Vasher and Cedric Griffin.

The bad news is, their offense, even with Young, remains a question mark.

Not that they feel that way.

"I don't think this team realized how good we are," said Benson. "I think we are one of the top three teams in the country, I really do."

Interesting. Now where have we heard that before?

Oh yeah, each of the past three years.

If there is indeed something different about this one, it's that A) The Longhorns have actually been legitimately tested, twice, going into the Oklahoma game, B) The expectations surrounding this team aren't quite as high as in the past and C) Young alone would give any team reason enough to hope.

Now, Brown just needs to figure out what he wants to do with him.

"It's hard," said Williams, "to defend an offense that uses three wide receivers, with a back, and a quarterback who makes plays with his feet."

Hint, hint Sooners.

Stewart Mandel covers college sports for SI.com.