Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard, left, celebrates with teammate Lorenzo Joe after Heard scored a touchdown during the Longhorns' loss to Cal. [AP photo]

AUSTIN, Texas — About halfway through Jerrod Heard's 45-yard touchdown run in the final 80 seconds of the game last Saturday, a familiar feeling swept through the University of Texas' Royal-Memorial Stadium.

Hope. Quarterback hope. Heard, a redshirt freshman, had rallied the Longhorns from a 21-point deficit, and not even a missed extra point, which allowed California to escape with a 45-44 victory, squelched Texas enthusiasm. Maybe, at long last, the ‘Horns could again be good at quarterback.

All Big 12 eyes will be on Royal-Memorial on Saturday, when the Longhorns host Oklahoma State in a game that's not just big for the Cowboys. It's big for the entire conference. Has Texas finally found a quarterback?

OSU coaches certainly are selling such a notion. Defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer is painting Heard as the second coming of Vince Young.