Can Texas Save BCS From Chaos?

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Alabama has punched its ticket to the BCS national title game next month, now we'll see if Texas is able to do the same.

All the third-ranked Longhorns need to do is beat Nebraska in tonight's Big 12 Championship Game at Cowboys Stadium to set up a classic Big 12 vs. SEC clash next month in Pasadena, Calif., for the national championship. A loss by Texas, which is ranked third in the latest BCS poll, threatens to send the BCS into pure chaos with TCU and Cincinnati waiting.

But if tonight's pregame atmosphere is any indication, the Longhorns should not suffer a letdown against the Cornhuskers. But if today's SEC Championship Game between Florida and Alabama showed us nothing else, this game won't be decided on atmosphere.

It will come down to what happens on the field, particularly when UT quarterback Colt McCoy and the offense faces off against Nebraska's defense, led by Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Ndamukong Suh. The Cornhuskers' defense has been flat out stingy this season, but they will certainly face their stiffest challenge against Texas' receiving trio of Jordan Shipley, James Kirkendoll and Malcolm Williams.

A strong showing by McCoy against a very good Nebraska defense will also likely earn him the coveted Heisman Trophy, although he does still have great competition going down to the wire.

FIRST QUARTER

Upon further review, the Cornhuskers take a 3-0 lead on a 45-yard Alex Henry field goal with 11:04 remaining in the quarter. The field goal was made possible after it appeared the Longhorns had stuffed Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead on fourth-and-1. But upon further review, the ball was given a new spot and first down. Nebraska moved the ball 13 yards on eight plays after Colt McCoy threw an interception on the opening series of the game.

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This can't be a good sign for the Longhorns national championship hopes and Colt McCoy's Heisman Trophy dreams that he has thrown two interceptions in the first three possessions in Texas territory. The result has been two Nebraska field goals by Henry to take a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter. The latest, a 52-yarder with 6:32 remaining.

In the meantime, this game is playing out exactly how Nebraska needs it to. The Cornhurskers are playing outstanding defense and the offense is moving the ball just enough to capitalize on UT turnovers.

SECOND QUARTER

So far McCoy and the Longhorns' offense seems out of synch. Certainly Nebraska and the intense pressure up front from Suh and Crick has something to do with that. But at some point McCoy has to settle down and move the football if Texas wants to avoid a huge upset.

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The Longhorns finally makes a move on an impressive 9-play 42-yard drive that ended with McCoy scoring from two yards out on a quarterback draw that put UT ahead 7-6 with 2:19 in the half. The Longhorns got the ball in excellent field position off the punt at the Nebraska 42, their first time on the other side of the 50 on the night.

HALFTIME

It certainly wasn't the first half we were expecting from McCoy and the UT offense, but it was the type of half that was possible against an aggressive Nebraska defense. Suh and Crick are getting great pressure on McCoy from their inside spots on the defensive line. Suh, who has to be close to locking up the Lombardi Award, has been a menace to McCoy all night, hitting and sacking the Heisman hopeful constantly.

It will be interesting to see what adjustments Greg Davis makes during halftime. Perhaps more shovel passes like the one to Tre Newton for 13 yards to slow the pressure. The Longhorns also have to go vertical a little more to stretch the defense. Eventually Davis is also going to have to learn that running straight at Crick and Suh is never a good idea.

THIRD QUARTER

The Cornhuskers' defense is playing about as well as you can ask, keeping constant pressure on McCoy and the UT offense. But the Nebraska offense is giving the defense no help. Lee has been terrible when he's needed to pass. Finally Pelini has brought in Cody Green with the Cornhuskers backed up on their 1.

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You would think a low-scoring game favors the Cornhuskers, but with the Cornhuskers and Zac Lee unable to get much going the Longhorns have secured a 10-6 lead late in the third quarter thanks to a 39-yard field goal by Hunter Lawrence.

Nebraska has just three first downs and a total of 69 yards through three quarters in a horrendous showing. Lee has completed just 4 of 15 passes for 28 yards and thrown three interceptions.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Nebraska offense continues to be bailed out. This time a spectacular punt return by Niles Paul put the ball on the Texas 10 yard line. The Cornhuskers offense actually lost a yard on the drive, but Henry converted a 28-yard field goal to pull Nebraska within 10-9.

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Could we be looking at the biggest upset of the college football season? Henry just converted a 42-yard field goal puts Nebraska up 12-10 with 1:44 to play in the game.