Hook 'em Horns

An Arlington upset-special is on the agenda when 9-3 Nebraska clashes with Colt McCoy and the undefeated Texas Longhorns Saturday night. The Huskers hope to squander the third ranked Texas’ national title hopes in tonight’s Big 12 Championship game on the road. The conference has a heartbreaking history of stunning upsets. Eight years ago, the Longhorns’ chances of a title ended with a loss to Colorado. Last season, Texas watched Oklahoma play for the Big 12 championship even though the Longhorns beat the Sooners during the regular season. Nebraska’s anticipated title run in 1996 was halted by an upset loss to Texas. The comparisons between 1996 and 2009 are eerie. In 1996, the Huskers were the nation’s number three team but fell 37-27 to Texas in the conference title game. You can be sure Nebraska is looking to avenge for that loss thirteen seasons ago. Do the 21st ranked Huskers have what it takes to shake up the college football world?
Senior signal caller, McCoy’s Heisman candidacy is on the line along with the Longhorns’ shot at a national title game appearance. McCoy represents everything great about college football and is well deserving of the award. He empowers the offense and is an electric charge at the helm. However, Texas has been untested for the most part this year. Mack Brown’s team will get a dose of SEC-like defense when Nebraska visits Arlington this evening. The Huskers showcase a championship-caliber defense. Ndamukong Suh is the defensive leader at the tackle position. Suh is drawing his own Heisman votes because of his monstrous and effective physical style and oomph. McCoy will have to keep an eye on 300 pound Suh and do his best to keep the ball as far away as possible from the tackle. The Texas quarterback is a talented and gifted guider with the ball. McCoy is a hard worker but the Longhorns have struggled and appeared vulnerable since their Thanksgiving meeting with Texas A&M. The Huskers have four All-Big 12 players in Suh, tackle Jared Crick, safety Larry Asante and cornerback Prince Amukamara. Crick, a sophomore, will challenge the dual-threat McCoy. The Husker defense has merited serious attention and likely won’t let McCoy run through them like he has against opponents all season. Texas has struggled to run consistently and Nebraska’s interior defense should wreck havoc in shutting them down. Jordan Shipley is just a smidgen and smear in McCoy’s receiving corps. Shipley heads Texas’ talented offense with 99 catches. He has six teammates with 25 or more receptions this year. Protecting McCoy is the main concern for the offensive line which has allowed 21 sacks. Suh and Crick have a combined 16.5 for Nebraska. The Texas pass offense must take care of business if McCoy is to have a shot at the title game against either Florida or Alabama. A Texas loss would probably relegate the Longhorns to a coveted at-large candidate, and leave a vacancy for Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl. Nebraska can pull off the monumental upset if they win the turnover margin by rattling the passer and controlling the line of scrimmage.
It shouldn’t be a problem for Texas to contain the Big 12’s eleventh ranked offense in Nebraska. The Huskers may be the best in the conference, and third best nationally, with 11 points per game on defense, but Nebraska’s offense isn’t scoring points. Junior passer, Zac Lee, has been productive against opponents when his offense protects him. The Huskers are solid in pass protection. Wideout, Niles Paul is a downfield threat. Niles leads the club with 35 receptions. Texas’ secondary has been exposed as of late, but the defense still ranks second highest in interceptions. The Longhorns do have another thing on their side coming into Saturday’s sweltering and significant showdown. Bo Pelini’s team has a running game that plays into the hands of Texas’ defense. Roy Helu is healthy again for Pelini’s backfield and quarterback Lee. Lee has thrown for just under 2,000 yards and Helu has scrambled for 1,111. Rex Burkhead, a true freshmen runner, is a second serious option. Burkhead garnered a 100 yard effort last week against Colorado. Only three teams have managed 100 yards or more against this Longhorns defense, however. They even limited UTEP’s nationally ranked rusher, Donald Buckham, to 46 yards. Texas is first in the nation in run defense. In other words, the Huskers would have more luck running through a brick wall at Cowboys Stadium.

Parting Points: Song of the day- “Ordinary Miracle” by Sarah Mclachlan
Bearcats-Panthers today at noon…
It’s about time the Nets recorded a victory!