Chuck Carlton

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AUSTIN – A year ago, Texas players and a lot of other people wondered why they weren't in the BCS title game.

Now the Longhorns are being asked if they belong, if they've earned the right as Big 12 champions to face Southeastern Conference winner Alabama in the Citi BCS National Championship on Jan. 7.

"Of course," quarterback Colt McCoy said Sunday.

"We've taken care of business 13 weeks in a row. We've played a lot of tough teams. This is our goal. And we're there. "

Texas was second in the final BCS standings by a comfortable margin. The Longhorns were second in both the USA Today and Harris Interactive polls and placed third in the average of the six computer rankings.

The selection of Texas meant three unbeaten teams were shut out of the title game, including TCU (12-0), which finished fourth behind Cincinnati. The Horned Frogs will play fellow BCS-buster Boise State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Newly named BCS executive director Bill Hancock said the "charge of the BCS is to match [Nos.] 1 and 2 in the bowl system. ... Based on the season's play, we're confident we've matched 1 and 2."

Everything about Texas has been scrutinized, including a nonconference schedule that lacked any opponent from a BCS power conference. The Big 12 was viewed – accurately – as being down this season.

Against Texas A&M, a dominant defense was supposedly exposed after allowing 39 points.

Against Nebraska in the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship, the offensive line allowed nine sacks and seemed overwhelmed by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

"Our best game is ahead of us," safety Earl Thomas said.

On a conference call with Alabama counterpart Nick Saban, coach Mack Brown was asked whether Texas deserved to be in the game.

The question was filled with unintentional irony. Brown had questioned the system after Texas lost a three-way Big 12 tiebreaker last season to an Oklahoma team it had beaten by 10 points. He did research, asked questions of experts and finally threw in the towel about tilting at the BCS.

"The system put us in the game," Brown said. "So who are we to question? Whether you like the system or not, it is what it is. And it's not changing.

"We do feel we've earned the right."

In an interview with ESPN, Saban challenged questions casting his team as the favorite. He downplayed the subject of running back Mark Ingram's Heisman Trophy candidacy, calling him "one of the best players on a very good team."

The monthlong break comes at a good time for Texas. McCoy, sacked a career-high nine times by Nebraska, admitted he was "pretty sore" Sunday. Receiver Jordan Shipley, who had battled a turf toe injury aggravated against Texas A&M, was grateful for the down time.

McCoy said UT's accomplishment hadn't quite registered yet, despite numerous congratulatory text messages. Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford even pledged his Heisman vote.

McCoy had been on the sideline at the Rose Bowl in January 2006, during his redshirt freshman season, watching Vince Young put on a performance by the ages and deliver a title against Southern California. Now, he'll go to Pasadena with the same goal.

"It was the greatest game I've seen played," McCoy said. "That was a very special moment, a very special time to watch Vince do what he did. Hopefully, we'll finish it the right way, too."

Greg McElroy might not have been as heralded as some Southlake Carroll quarterbacks. But by being steady and smart, the junior has guided Alabama to a 13-0 season after throwing 20 passes combined in 2007 and '08. He has thrown 17 touchdown passes and four interceptions. In his last two games, against Auburn and Florida, McElroy completed 33 of 49 passes for 457 yards and three touchdowns.

Will Muschamp, Texas' defensive coordinator and head coach-designate, credits Alabama coach Nick Saban with being a significant influence on his career. Muschamp was Saban's defensive coordinator when LSU won the 2003 national championship, humbling Oklahoma and Jason White. Muschamp followed Saban to the Miami Dolphins for a season. The two are still on good terms and talk defense in the off-season.

There's a good chance Texas quarterback Colt McCoy or Alabama running back Mark Ingram will win the Heisman Trophy, and the other could very well be the runner-up. One will have extra incentive going into the championship game, while the winner will have faced a full awards and media schedule in addition to game preparation.

Texas will be returning to Pasadena's Rose Bowl, the scene of the Longhorns' title win over Southern California in the 2005 season. This season has numerous parallels to 2005. To complete the comparison, Texas needs a win the title game.

Tommy Nobis and Joe Namath are relevant again. Expect to hear a lot about the 1965 Orange Bowl, a meeting between No. 1 Alabama and No. 5 Texas. Namath threw for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns but was stopped on a key fourth-and-goal by Nobis, Texas' All-America linebacker. Texas survived, 21-17.