No. 3 Texas Longhorns

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Were it not for a couple of dainty steps by Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree, the Longhorns’ ’08 fortunes would have been dramatically different. Quarterback Colt McCoy probably would have won the Heisman, and UT would have likely met Florida for all the BCS glory. But Crabtree outmaneuvered a couple Longhorn defensive backs on the sideline down in Lubbock, and the Big 12’s silly tiebreaking procedure took it from there.

McCoy’s back this year, and Texas is in position to claim what some considered rightfully theirs last season: the Big 12 South title. McCoy led UT in rushing and passing last year and completed a ridiculous 76.7 percent of his passes. What’s next, 80?

Don’t laugh. Even without Quan Cosby, it’s possible. That’s because Jordan Shipley is still around and should be good for 15 TDs. If the backfield tandem of piledriving Cody Johnson and Vondrell McGee can get it done behind a beastly line, the Steers will score about 50 per game. But how many will they give up?

Texas had better hope some youngsters can step up along the front seven, because you don’t just lose guys like Brian Orakpo and Rashad Bobino and call central casting for replacements. The good news is that the Texas secondary is deep and experienced, and that helps in the wacky Big 12. Chances are they’ll do a better job in the last seconds of big games, too, so the Longhorns can get what belongs to them.

This and That

Coach In Waiting Will Muschamp was so impressive in putting together a pass rush that led the nation in sacks and infusing the team with a blue-collar attitude that he was named Mack Brown’s successor — whenever that day comes. Muschamp’s salary as defensive coordinator jumped from $425,000 to $900,000, and it will jump to at least $2 million when he’s named head coach, according to his new deal.

Tech Game Moved Texas Tech did Texas a huge favor by agreeing to move its game in Austin this season from Nov. 7 to Sept. 19 so it could be shown in primetime on ABC. Texas has no non-conference games worthy of national TV and now will get a chance to show off for a countrywide audience earlier than its clash with OU on Oct. 17.

Winning Big Texas has won at least nine games in each of the past 11 seasons, the longest such streak in the nation. Dating back to his time at North Carolina, Brown now has won nine games or more in 13 straight seasons.

Texas Superlatives

OL Adam Ulatoski is named First-Team All-America, C Chris Hall is named Second-Team All-America and QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley and DE Sergio Kindle (pictured) are named Third-Team All-America.

Ulatoski, Hall, and Kindle all join CB Aaron Williams as First-Team All-Big 12 selections.

McCoy and Shipley are named Second-Team All-Big 12 along with DL Lamarr Houston, LB Roddrick Muckelroy, CB Chykie Brown, S Earl Thomas and K Hunter Lawrence.

S Blake Gideon is named Third-Team All-Big 12.

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