Strength-on-Strength as Texas Meets Nebraska for Big 12 Title

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The mere thought of plugging every possible hole Texas can exploit has been overwhelming for every defense this season.

Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and his Cornhuskers teammates have had similar anxieties this week as they prepare to meet Heisman trophy candidate Colt McCoy and the third-ranked Longhorns in Saturday night's Big 12 Championship Game.

"Everything. They do everything well," Suh said when asked to analyze what Texas does well offensively. "They're a very well-balanced offense. They obviously like to pass the ball a little bit more having great receivers, (Jordan) Shipley being one of the standout receivers in that corps. I don't really see a problem in their offense. They can pretty much do anything.

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"Obviously they have a mobile quarterback who can hurt you. It's going to be a big challenge, something I feel that this defense is definitely up for."

If there is a defense around that might have a chance of stopping Texas and derailing its BCS national title game hopes, it is the 21st-ranked Cornhuskers and their hard-hitting defense. In a classic matchup of strength on strength, all attention will be focused on Nebraska's defense and the Longhorns' offense. Both units rank among the best in the nation.

"It's going to be a great challenge. I'm looking forward to it," said Nebraska safety Larry Asante, who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team Defense along with three of his teammates this week. "They have a potent offense. They can hit you in all kinds of ways, through the run game, through the passing game, quarterback draws. They can do it all. They have a great offense. I just can't wait. It's going to be a great challenge."

And that will certainly cut both ways with the Longhorns facing their stiffest defensive challenge since meeting Oklahoma on Oct. 17 when they managed three field goals and a touchdown in a 16-13 victory in the Red River Rivalry.

Texas is facing a similarly strong Nebraska unit, led up front by arguably the best defensive tackle tandem in the country with Jared Crick and Suh, who was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and is a Lombardi Award finalist. In the secondary, All-Big 12 cornerback Prince Amukamara and Asante should make it difficult for a talented group of Texas receivers.

With the 9-3 Cornhuskers offense still struggling through inconsistency, the defense held it together enough to earn them their first North division title since 2006. Only one opponent has scored more than 21 points on Nebraska this season while seven opponents have been held to 10 or fewer points to restore some of the luster to the Blackshirts.

Nebraska's defense enters the game at Cowboys Stadium ranked third in the country in scoring defense (11.1 points) and 11th in total defense (291.4 yards), while ranking in the top 25 in every other major defensive category.

It's a remarkable transition in the second year of Bo Pelini after the Cornhuskers defense had fallen way off under Bill Callahan.

"I'm proud of how far we have come on defense," said Pelini, whose defensive reputation is largely responsible for the Cornhuskers landing four players on the All-Big 12 First Team unit. "We've come a long way in a relatively short period of time. It's nice to see that our guys were recognized for it. It's been a lot of hard work and perseverance by that group, by the whole group; I'm talking about everybody on defense, not just the guys that got recognized with first-team honors.

"We've come a long way."

Texas coach Mack Brown couldn't agree more.

"It'll be a true test," said Brown, whose team is looking to preserve its unblemished 12-0 record and return to the national title game for the first time since 2005. "Our offense has looked great for the last two weeks. They haven't played anybody in the last two weeks near as good as this bunch.

"This bunch looks as good as Oklahoma's defense."

Pelini understands that looking the part and playing the part are two different things. The Longhorns have a strong offensive line and perhaps the best quarterback in the country in McCoy. Texas' running game is still inconsistent, but with McCoy making plays downfield with his arm and picking up key yards on designed draw plays, the Longhorns' offense presents maximum pressure for any defense.

McCoy is coming off a monster game on Thanksgiving night in which he ran for 175 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries while completing 24-of-40 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas past Texas A&M on the road, 49-39. Another similar performance by McCoy against a tough Huskers defense will put the Longhorns in the national championship game and all but secure him the Heisman Trophy.

"He's real good. He has all the tools," said Pelini, whose team could earn a BCS berth with a win Saturday or drop as far as the Holiday Bowl with a loss. "He's a very smart player, first of all. He's well-coached. He can make all the throws.

"Obviously, as he showed last week and throughout the year, but especially last week, he can hurt you with his feet. He can do it all. He's a good football player. He just runs their system really well."

But that isn't to suggest the Cornhuskers feel they have no answer. With the ability to apply pressure up front and defend in the secondary, they believe they make things hard on McCoy and Co.

"He's one of the best out there," Suh said. "Obviously he's up for the Heisman and is doing everything to deserve that and continues to do that, stays consistent. That's one of the biggest things, he doesn't really falter. You've just got to hopefully catch him on a bad day and get in his face to disrupt him."

And with that and a few other things going their way, the Cornhuskers seem confident they can shock the BCS and earn a premier bowl appearance themselves.

"I believe we have to play mistake-free defense, and offense has to play mistake-free offense, too," Asante said. "Special teams too, we have to put it all together as a team and we have to play our best football all year to beat these guys."