If even after a game the losing coach called "one of the epic ones" it remains too early to proclaim Texas is back - a punch line to critics; a non-starter even with true believers - it's safe to say the Longhorns are in the neighborhood.
Texas still has much to do before it wakes up Darrell Royal, no matter how impressive its 48-45 last-minute win over Oklahoma before 92,300 at the Cotton Bowl.
But the 19th-ranked Longhorns have elevated themselves into the national conversation for the first time in too long.
And as far as entertainment goes, Saturday was as good as it gets.