Rivals.com College Football - Texas has simple task: Beat Nebraska

December 4, 2009

Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

This time a year ago, the Texas Longhorns could blame the system, Big 12 Conference tiebreaker rules and BCS voters for their exclusion from the national championship game.

If they don't make it this season, the Longhorns can only blame themselves.

Well, maybe history, too.

The third-ranked Longhorns (12-0) will play for the national title next month if they can defeat Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.

With Heisman-contending quarterback Colt McCoy directing the nation's No. 3 scoring offense and a defense that ranks first in the country against the run, the Longhorns would appear too powerful for Nebraska (9-3) - which has managed 20 or fewer points in half its games this season.

But the Big 12 championship game has a history of stunning upsets.

Four times in the league's 15-year history, a Big 12 team's national title aspirations ended in the conference championship game. It first happened in 1996, in the initial Big 12 championship game, when Texas upset No. 3 Nebraska 37-27.

Huskers senior safety Matt O'Hanlon, who grew up in Bellevue, Neb., remembers that game too well.

"I grew up with the whole Nebraska tradition. I was immersed in it," he said. "I remember that game. I was about in the third or fourth grade. Me and my dad were fishing and were listening on the radio. I was so upset.



Ndamukong Suh and Nebraska could join a deep history of Big 12 title game upset winners.

"It'll be nice to get some revenge and maybe spoil their national championship chances."

In 1998, Kansas State's title hopes ended with a double-overtime loss to Texas A&M. In 2001, the Longhorns' chances ended with an upset loss to Colorado. And in 2007, Missouri was ranked No. 1 in the BCS standings but fell to Oklahoma and didn't even go to a BCS bowl.

Last season, the Longhorns didn't even get that close. After finishing in a three-way tie with Oklahoma and Texas Tech in the South Division standings, Texas had to watch the Sooners play for the Big 12 championship even though the Longhorns had beaten them.

The fifth tiebreaker in the event of a three-way tie is that the highest-ranked team in the BCS standings advances to the title game. The BCS standings had OU higher than Texas.

"You know how hard you worked and prepared and all the things you went through as a team, and it's taken away from you. It's really tough," McCoy said. "Last year, we didn't take care of business one week of the year. This year, we have. There are so many goals out there for us to attain."

Of course, attaining those goals requires beating Nebraska. Since the inception of Big 12 play, Texas is 7-1 against the Huskers, but five of those wins were by four or fewer points.

Besides, the Longhorns appeared vulnerable in a 49-39 Thanksgiving night victory over Texas A&M, which rolled up 532 yards of offense. But can Nebraska capitalize with an offense that is ranked 11th in the Big 12?

Even the Huskers seem to wonder.

"We're a completely different team than A&M," Nebraska center Jacob Hickman said. "We can't use that too much as a jumping point. Every time you see a team get points on them, it shows you it's possible to score on a team. But we really can't compare the two. We're more of a running team."

Statistically, Texas' defense is the best in the nation against the run. Maybe that's why Texas coach Mack Brown was unfazed by A&M's offensive outburst against the Longhorns.

"I think we felt too good about ourselves," Brown said. "We missed 13 tackles and had a lot of communication issues. We probably tried to do too much in a short week [of preparation]. I think that lack of performance will get our attention this weekend."

There was no lack of performance by McCoy, who passed for 304 yards and rushed for a career-high 175 against A&M. And that surely has the attention of the Nebraska defense, which includes four All-Big 12 honorees - tackles Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick, safety Larry Asante and cornerback Prince Amukamara.

Texas has scored more than 30 points in 11 of its 12 games. Meanwhile, Nebraska's defense has allowed just one opponent - Texas Tech - to score more than 20 points.



	Colt McCoy could wrap up the Heisman with a big day.

McCoy likely can clinch the Heisman Trophy with a strong showing, but the Huskers are quite literally ready to face him.

"What you want to do is be in his face, have your presence in front of him," Suh said. "If you give him time, he's going to make good decisions. If you can force him to make decisions quicker, I think that's where you can disrupt him. As a defensive line, we want to get in the backfield and make him make those decisions a lot faster than he wants to."

Added O'Hanlon: "We definitely have to limit their playmaking ability. They have a lot of guys that can break for 50-yard touchdowns. We have to be good tacklers."

If the Huskers can put consistent pressure on McCoy and prevent big plays, maybe they can thwart Texas' national championship aspirations again. After all, McCoy struggled against Oklahoma, which, like the Huskers, has a strong defensive line and pass rush.

McCoy played that game with a respiratory infection. In six games since then, he has completed 73.7 percent of his passes for 1,791 yards and 16 touchdowns, with two interceptions.

"I feel like the turning point was after the OU game," McCoy said. "We had to bond and come together as a unit and as a team. From that point on, we started the season over. We said we're capable of being one of the best offenses in the country.

"There is still a lot of room for improvement. Nebraska has a really stout defense and they don't give up many big plays. It's a challenge for us. We'll work hard and be ready."

Who gets the edge?

Texas rush offense vs. Nebraska rush defense:
The Longhorns exploded for 293 rushing yards last week against Texas A&M as QB Colt McCoy and RB Tre' Newton gained more than 100 yards each. But that's the exception to the rule. Texas has struggled to run consistently, although the running game has been boosted by Newton's return from injury. Nebraska, with DTs Ndamakong Suh and Jared Crick wreaking havoc inside, allows just more than 100 rushing yards per game. The Huskers have limited five teams to fewer than 100 rushing yards. Only two players -Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams and Colorado's Rodney Stewart - gained 100 yards against the Huskers.
Edge: Nebraska.

Texas pass offense vs. Nebraska pass defense:
McCoy has passed for more than 300 yards in three of the past four games, and he has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions in the past six games. Overall, McCoy ranks fifth in the nation with 3,328 passing yards, and he has 27 touchdown passes. Biletnikoff Award finalist Jordan Shipley, who has 99 catches, heads a talented receiving corps that has six players with at least 25 catches. But protection can be a problem. Texas has allowed 21 sacks. That's a concern against Nebraska, which has dropped opposing quarterbacks 33 times. Suh and Crick have combined for 16.5 sacks. The Huskers, who have a physical style of play in the secondary, have allowed just seven touchdown passes while grabbing 16 interceptions. S Matt O'Hanlon leads with five interceptions. Nebraska has 11 interceptions in the past five games, but all 11 came off quarterbacks who did not begin the season as their team's starter.
Edge: Texas

Nebraska rush offense vs. Texas rush defense:
The Huskers' running game has had good days (207 yards vs. Virginia Tech) and bad days (101 vs. Kansas State). But as long as they have a healthy Roy Helu, who has rushed for 1,111 yards, the Huskers' ground game must be respected. The recent emergence of true freshman Rex Burkhead, who gained 100 yards in last week's victory over Colorado, provides a second threat. Texas is allowing an average of 61.8 rushing yards per game to rank first in the nation in run defense. Only three teams have managed more than 100 rushing yards against Texas, but Texas A&M had 190 last week. LB Roddrick Muckelroy leads the Longhorns with 89 tackles. Texas limited UTEP's Donald Buckham, the nation's third-leading rusher, to 46 yards.
Edge: Texas

Nebraska pass offense vs. Texas pass defense:
The Huskers' passing game has had some issues. QB Zac Lee has thrown for 1,931 yards, but three of his four most productive games were against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference; Iowa State is the other opponent. WR Niles Paul leads the Huskers with 35 receptions. The Huskers are solid in pass protection. Meanwhile, Texas' secondary appeared vulnerable in allowing Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson to pass for 342 yards and four touchdowns. That was the third consecutive game Texas has allowed at least 240 yards. But the Longhorns have 21 interceptions - the nation's second-highest total. SS Earl Thomas' eight interceptions are tied for second in the nation. The Longhorns are third in the country with 38 sacks.
Edge: Texas

Texas special teams vs. Nebraska special teams
The Longhorns' return teams are excellent. Texas has scored five touchdowns on kickoff and punt returns, with three players - Shipley, D.J. Monroe and Marquise Goodwin. But the coverage teams need to improve. K Hunter Lawrence has converted 20-of-23 field goal attempts, while P Justin Tucker averages just less than 40 yards and has killed 13 inside the 20. Nebraska's Alex Henery can top that. As a punter, he averages 42.3 yards and has killed 26 inside the 20. He also has converted 16-of-20 field goals, with a long of 46 yards. The Huskers' coverage teams are solid, and Paul is dangerous on returns. He scored on a punt return against Colorado.
Edge: Texas

Texas coaching staff vs. Nebraska coaching staff
Huskers coach Bo Pelini was part of a national championship as a defensive coordinator at LSU. But then, so was Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. In just two seasons, Pelini has turned around a Nebraska program that managed just five victories the season before his arrival. One more win will clinch back-to-back seasons of double-digit victories. Under coach Mack Brown, Texas has posted double-digit victory totals in each of the past nine seasons. The Longhorns won a national championship in 2005.
Edge: Texas

X-factor:
The Big 12 championship game has a history of monumental upsets. It's where national championship aspirations often have gone to die. From that standpoint, all the pressure is on Texas in this game.

Texas will win if:
The Longhorns' top priority is stopping Nebraska's running game and forcing Lee into obvious passing situations. Second, protecting McCoy is vital. Finally, don't turn the ball over. The Longhorns have superior talent, but turnovers are an equalizer.

Nebraska will win if:
Nebraska's defense has to control the line of scrimmage. If the Huskers have an advantage, it's with their defensive line against Texas' offensive line. Pressuring McCoy will be vital. The Huskers cannot give up big plays or give Texas short fields. In addition, they must have success in the running game.

EXPERT PICKS
Olin Buchanan: Texas 27, Nebraska 13
Tom Dienhart: Texas 30, Nebraska 10
David Fox: Texas 28, Nebraska 10
Mike Huguenin: Texas 24, Nebraska 13
Jason King: Texas 31, Nebraska 13
Steve Megargee: Texas 24, Nebraska 10

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.

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