Texas Longhorns

IRVING, Texas -- Though it’s essentially meaningless now that he’s on campus and a member of the Longhorns, Texas offensive line signee Rami Hammad still can’t get over the fact he was deemed a three-star prospect.

He won’t soon forget that. It’s been a driving force for the Irving, Texas, offensive guard for the past year, and he’s confident he’ll dispel any doubt about his talent by competing for a starting job immediately this summer and fall.

Thanks to the Bennie Wylie workout plan this spring, the 6-foot-5 lineman went from 335 pounds on signing day to 308 pounds today. He’s done everything he possible could to prepare for his arrival and his freshman debut.

Before he left for Austin, Hammad sat down with HornsNation to discuss is plans for 2013 and how far he’s already come.

HN: It seems like your goals for your freshman season are pretty obvious. How do you map them out?

Hammad: First things first. I’ve got to take care of academics and adapt to college life. I don’t think it’ll be that tough for me considering I don’t like to party or do anything wrong. My main goal is to play in Year 1. I don’t want to settle for anything else.

HN: Think back to a year ago. How would you have felt had you been told you’d end up a Longhorn?

Hammad: Man, I’d probably think you’re crazy. They never talked to me then, and it was pretty much last minute when I caught their attention. I like to earn my things, and I think I earned it. People doubted me throughout the way, even at my own high school. I’m really glad I proved myself.

HN: Why do you think it took so long for Texas to target you?

Hammad: I don’t know. I think they might’ve overlooked me. I wasn’t as solid-looking my junior year, and it was my first year on varsity. I really don’t know.

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HornsNation is counting down the top five moments of Texas’ 2012 season this week.

Play No. 5

The game: Geno Smith and West Virginia had been untouchable. The quarterback was a Heisman candidate who, through four games, had yet to throw an interception and had been sacked only four times. West Virginia was 4-0 coming into the game, and that put a scare into the traditional powers with the thought that the Mountaineers might be national title contenders. Texas represented their first big test of the season.

The play: Texas was trailing 21-14 but had momentum and had stuffed WVU for minus-4 yards on its two previous plays. Smith dropped backed to pass from the his own nine but never had time to get rid of the ball. Instead, defensive end Alex Okafor got into the backfield, sacked and, more importantly, stripped the ball from Smith. Bookend Jackson Jeffcoat fell on the ball in the end zone and Texas tied the game at 21 in the second quarter. The play electrified the largest home crowd in Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium history and the stadium shook as the 101,851 in attendance jumped in the stands.

The play was also a portent of thing to come. Okafor sacked and stripped Smith again in the fourth quarter. This time the defense was not able to fall on the ball and score. Instead, Chris Whaley's fumble recovery gave Texas the ball at the WVU 12. Lamentably, Texas’ offense failed to produce points in what proved to be the drive that determined Longhorns’ losing fate.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Longhorns, who in 2012 did not beat a team that finished in the BCS top 25, will get one final shot in the postseason, against No. 13 Oregon State. And given who Oregon State beat -- only one team ranked in the BCS top 25, No. 17 UCLA, and that was in week two -- it might be Texas' best chance to pull off a win. A look at the matchup in the Valero Alamo Bowl:

1. What’s your initial reaction to the matchup?
Texas just secured its ninth win. Seriously, Oregon State is pretty much like Cal last year, a decent team in a conference that only had two good teams. Now the same could be said for the Big 12. But Texas has too much talent and speed to lose this game.

2. Which team in the Big 12 does Oregon State most resemble?
It is fair to compare Oregon State to Baylor of the last three weeks. That’s because the Beavers overall have a much better defense than the Bears showed in the first nine weeks of the year. Baylor has a better pass offense and really a better overall offense with Lache Seastrunk. But Oregon State has the ability to spread the field, throws the ball well and has a decent run game to go with that attack.

3. What’s the most intriguing individual matchup?
Storm Woods vs. the Texas defense. Woods averages 75 yards a game and is a solid back in the Pac-12. Texas has turned solid backs into great backs this season. If the Texas defense cannot contain Woods, then quarterback Sean Mannion is going to have few problems moving the ball down the field with play action.

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Sean Adams and Carter Strickland from HornsNation recap Texas’ 33-7 win over Iowa State.

While Texas addresses issues at quarterback, the real question is can the Longhorns stop Seth Doege and the Red Raiders.