Since the new millennium, Texas had become synonymous with second-place finishes in the Big 12.
From 2000-2004, the Longhorns went 52-13 and never finished worse than 12th in the final Associated Press Top 25. Yet the Longhorns failure to win a Big 12 Championship in any of those seasons seemed to be inscribed on every season’s tombstone.
Oklahoma was the reason all those wins never amounted to a conference or national championship. The Sooners rolled off five straight victories in the Red River Shootout, twice setting records for most-lopsided wins in the fabled rivalry’s history.
Most reasoned the Sooners held a mental edge or at the very least some sort of mojo when they walked down the Cotton Bowl ramp.
That all changed last year.
Texas rolled to its first national championship in mor than 30 years and OU was one of the teams the Longhorns paved over during the process.
Does that mean the dark cloud that seemed to hover over the ’Horns will be gone when they meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday?
“You know, funny thing about streaks, especially in college where there’s so much turnover,” Texas offensive tackle Justin Blalock said. “A lot of these guys have never played in this game. And, you know, for them as well.
“It’s going to be a very different atmosphere to the game with all the new players and whatnot. I mean, some of those guys, for them, have no reason not to be excited about the game. Some of our guys are in the same boat.”
That’s very true. The Longhorns have won 25 of their last 26 games, dating back to a 12-0 loss to the Sooners in 2004.
But all but four of those wins accumulated while Vince Young held the reins of Texas’ offense. His ability to turn busted plays into touchdowns made him a threat few defenses could contain.
He gave Texas an aura of invincibility last season. But he’s playing on Sundays now and the Longhorns are trying to adapt to life without him.
Redshirt freshman Colt McCoy bested true freshman Jevan Snead in the competition to replace him. And McCoy’s been solid through five games, completing a Big 12-best 71.1 percent (69 of 97) of his passes with 10 going for touchdowns.
McCoy doesn’t possess Young’s physical tools. He’s only rushed for 59 yards this season, but Brown marvels at his consistency.
“He has been such a consistent passer in practice and in the ballgames,” Brown said. “He also has been that way with his attitude. He actually prepared the same way for Ohio State mentally (as) Sam Houston and Rice.”
And McCoy believes he learned a lot watching Young guide the Longhorns to a 13-0 season.
“I guess the most important lesson I took from Vince is to go out there and have fun and be confident,” he said. “Don’t let your teammates see you not calm, not relaxed, but let them see in your eyes that we’re fine.”
With the exception of the Ohio State game, he’s done that. Texas has run over Rice, Iowa State and Sam Houston State since.
But the Red River Shootout is a different animal and McCoy and the Longhorns will be under the gun to prove last season’s success — particularly against OU — wasn’t a one-hit wonder.
“We’re a more confident team after the last year and a half really,” Brown said. “We took a step back against a really good Ohio State team, but the guys have regained their confidence now. They’re excited about this game.
“But winning the national championship really helps your confidence and your attitude about playing anybody.”
We’ll see Saturday.
John Shinn366-3536jshinn@normantranscript.com
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October 3, 2006
Texas can play
Longhorns remain very confident
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