By Wendell Barnhouse

Big12Sports.com Correspondent

TULSA, Okla. – If the Big 12 places more than two teams in the NCAA tournament field that will be announced Monday, it will come down to Texas … and the weather.

The fifth-seeded Longhorns (29-25) will face second-seeded Oklahoma State in the final of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at noon Sunday on FOXSports1. The winner gets the Conference’s NCAA automatic bid.

Since the Championship started (37-17) Wednesday, the skies have been threatening but the only rain came after Oklahoma State wrapped up its victory over Oklahoma in Saturday’s second game. If the rain continues and wipes out the championship game, Big 12 rules dictate that the highest-seeded team earns the NCAA bid.

TCU, the regular-season champion, and Oklahoma State are expected to be among the top 16 seeds and host first-round NCAA regionals. Texas, which made it to the College World Series last season, appears to have finally found its mojo and is playing its best baseball.

"It's the type of attitude all of the guys on this team have,” said UT’s Tres Barrera, who had a two-run homer in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Baylor. “Since the fall, we've all worked hard and came together. This season could've easily caused us to crumble and be selfish and become individuals, but we stuck together through all of the downs and kept working hard. Hopefully, as you see now, it's paying off."

The NCAA’s Ratings Percentage Index has not been kind to the Big 12. That’s been a hot topic for coaches here as they believe the Conference has teams like Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech who are good enough to win an NCAA regional.

“I’ve said it repeatedly – nobody wants to give credit to how good the teams are in the Big 12,” Oklahoma State coach Josh Holliday said. “We know we’re playing a really good team (Texas). One four-team bracket here had three teams that went to the College World Series last year. No other conference can say that.

“The folks on the (NCAA baseball) committee are smart people. I hope they consider all factors and not simply some formula (RPI). If that formula is all we need then I don’t know why we need smart people on the committee.”

Baylor coach Steve Smith, whose team beat No. 1 seed TCU and then lost twice to Texas, admitted he’s a Longhorn fan Sudnay.

“I’ll be pulling for Texas because I’m pulling for the league to get another team in,” Baylor coach Steve Smith said. “I have thought the last five games we’ve played them they’ve looked like a complete team to me. They’re playing well right now and that’s what counts.”

Garrido said Saturday that senior Parker French would start against Oklahoma State. French threw 126 pitches Wednesday and would be working on three days rest. However, there were other reports that Kyle Johnston could be UT's starter.

Holliday said he would meet with pitching coach Rob Walton Saturday night to decide who would start the championship game. In 27 innings, Oklahoma State has allowed two runs.

“We have a number of fresh arms,” Holliday said. “One of the strengths of this year's team is how many different guys have started games for us. We have good options and we have to some relief pitching that can bounce back and be used effectively tomorrow. We'll sit down, watch some videos and catch up on Texas."

Texas set a Big 12 Championship record with three consecutive complete games.

“That’s impressive, no question,” Holliday said when informed of that statistic. “That’s how you draw it up.”

A coin flip decided the home team between the two 3-0 teams. Holliday called heads and won so the Cowboys will get last at bats. “I think I’m now 1-6 in coin flips this year,” he said.