In 2008, their only loss was by 6 points to Texas Tech who scored with 1 second left to win the game on Halloween night.

The series with the Texas Tech Red Raiders began in 1928, and entering the game, the Longhorns' record was 43–15–0.

[28] Since 1929 the game has been held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, typically in mid-October with the State Fair of Texas occurring adjacent to the stadium.

OU QB Sam Bradford was injured and out for the season due to a result of a hit by CB Aaron Williams early in the game.

However, Colt McCoy threw an interception a few plays later, but made a touchdown-saving tackle on the return.

A few plays later, safety Earl Thomas intercepted Landry Jones to seal the game for the Longhorns.

In what was supposed to be a match-up between the Big 12's two best teams on Halloween night in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Texas dominated.

[26] On Baylor's first drive, they moved the ball into the red zone, but CB Aaron Williams intercepted a pass in the endzone and the game would be dominated by the Horns from there.

[30] In Colt McCoy's last home game, the Horns routed the reeling Kansas Jayhawks, riding a five-game losing streak.

Colt McCoy passed for 396 yards and 4 TDs, and in victory became the winningest QB in college football history.

The last time Texas played at the Rose Bowl, Texas won the BCS National Championship in the 2006 Rose Bowl by defeating USC 41–38 with Vince Young scoring an 8-yard run touchdown with 19 seconds left in the game.

The previous year, Texas won the Rose Bowl game 38–37 over Michigan when Dusty Mangum kicked a field goal as time expired.

Texas QB Colt McCoy went down early and was replaced by true freshman Garrett Gilbert, who threw four interceptions.