The Big 12 Championship game is finally here and Longhorn fans have made the trek to the Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington to witness the game firsthand. Fans are looking forward to a win and a trip to Pasadena.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Longhorns have to get past the Huskers. Never count your opponent out. Nebraska may not have an explosive offense like Texas, but Nebraska has several of the leading defensive players in the nation which could prove to be Texas’ biggest obstacle on their path to the BCS Championship.

The Longhorns need to get their minds set on this game. “I don't think they'll be thinking about anything other than winning the Big 12 Championship,” said Coach Mack Brown earlier this week. “A year ago Sunday this was all they wanted to do. This was their goal…to get in the Big 12 Championship and win it because this group of seniors has not done that. That's all they're thinking about.”

Although, Longhorn fans believe their team will be victorious, the fact remains that Nebraska will be ready to play. A win will not be as easy as just showing up.

“Playing against Nebraska is always going to be tough,” said quarterback Colt McCoy. “I have been fortunate enough to play against them twice, and both times they have been a really solid football team. This will definitely be the best team that I have played against from Nebraska, so we have our hands full.”
The Big 12 Championship game may prove to be a tougher than Longhorn fans anticipate since both teams will be fighting for a spot in the BCS Championship game. But the Longhorns are confident. "We felt like if we could get to this point we would have the chance to accomplish a lot of things," said Colt McCoy. "We have handled our business each week so far this year. It's going to be tough, but we are in the position that we want to be in."
It’s almost game time and the stadium is full of Longhorn and Husker fans ready to support their team. But the Texas fans seem to out number the Nebraska fans as a sea of orange can be seen throughout the stadium.

The stadium grows load, almost deafening with cheers as both teams come on the field.

Nebraska wins the coin toss and opts to kicks off.

Texas possession at the Texas 20; Colt McCoy’s first play of the game is a completed pass to WR, James Kirkendoll for a no gain. But there’s a flag on the play, personal foul. 1st & 20, Colt goes with the short screen up the middle to RB, Tre Newton for short yardage. But Colt’s next pass is deflected and intercepted and Husker fans cheer making their presence known in the stadium.

Nebraska possession; Zach Lee in as quarterback for Nebraska. Lee and the Huskers begin with the running game. Lee hands off to RB, Rex Burkhead. But he’s short of the 1st down. Again, Lee goes with the hand off to Burkhead. But the Longhorns defense doesn’t let the Huskers gain any ground. 4th & 1 and Huskers decide to go for it. Lee hands off to Burkhead and it looks to be short as the Longhorns defense holds the line. But the play is reviewed to determine the placement of the ball. 1st down Nebraska! Lee’s pass is incomplete. Lee fires to WR, Brandon Kinnie down by the end zone. But the ball is thrown out of bounds. Nebraska brings in the kicking team for a 49 yard field goal. The kick is good and Nebraska scores first. Nebraska 3, Texas 0.

Texas possession at the 20; Colt goes to Newton for a gain of 4 and another gain of 1, 3rd & 5. But Texas can’t keep the drive going and brings in the punting team.

Nebraska possession; Lee with the option rolls to the right for a gain of 1. Lee throws deep, he gets picked off by Blake Gideon and the crowd grows louder as Texas fans are on their feet

Texas possession; Colt scrambles, but goes down. He connects with WR, Dan Buckner for a short gain. 3rd & 8, Colt throws down the side line but gets picked off. But was he out of bounds? The play is reviewed but ruled an intercepted.

Nebraska possession; Lee to DB, Dijon Washington for a gain of 5. 2nd & 5, Lee hands off to Washington for a gain of 4, 3rd & 1. Under pressure Lee gets run down by Sergio Kindle and Kheeston Randall. Nebraska brings in the kicking team again. This time for a 52 yard field goal attempt, the kick is good. Nebraska 6, Texas 0.

Texas possession at the Texas 21; But Texas gets off to a bad start as a flag is thrown, false start. 1st & 15. Colt rolls to the right with no one available he throws the ball away, 2nd & 15. Under pressure Colt manages to complete his pass but for loss of yardage, 3rd & 17. Colt fires to Williams. But Williams can’t hang on.

Nebraska possession; Lee with the play fake, gets a gain of 4, 2nd & 6. Nebraska stays with the running game as Lee hands off to Burkhead for a gain of 4, 3rd & 2. The Nebraska offensive line gives Lee plenty of time; he fires down the middle to WR, Niles Paul for a 1st down. But Nebraska is unable to keep the drive going as Texas defense lead by Sergio Kindle get in Lee’s face. Nebraska brings in the punting team.

Texas possession at the Texas 10. Texas struggling to get some momentum goes to back to the running game as Newton picks up 4. Colt keeps the ball and rolls to the left and picks up the 1st down. Colt back to Newton for another 9 yards and it seems like Texas is getting their tempo going as they go with the hurry up offensive. But the momentum gets tripped up as Colt’s pass to Williams, generates a loss of yardage. The 1st quarter comes to a close.
2nd quarter begins and Texas brings in the punting team. Nebraska blocks the punt and gets the ball at the 39 yard line.

Nebraska possession; But just as quickly as Texas lost their momentum Lee’s pass in to the end zone gets picked off by Aaron Williams.

Texas possession. Colt hands off to Newton for a gain of 6 but ends up throwing the ball away on the next play. 3rd & 4, Colt is forced out of the pocket still manages to connect with WR, Jordan Shipley, 1st down. But again Texas is unable to keep the drive going and quickly brings in the punting team.

Nebraska possession; Nebraska struggles as the Texas defense puts on the pressure. Nebraska punts. Shipley returns the ball to the 36.

Texas possession; Texas still struggle to get a successful drive and quickly brings on the punting team as Longhorn fans go quiet.

Nebraska possession; Lee rolls to the right and Sam Acho runs him down for the sack bringing Texas fans back to life. Nebraska brings in the punting team and Shipley is there for the fair catch at the 42.

Texas possession; Colt takes off but he’s quickly brought down. But Colt recovers as he connects with Shipley down the middle to Shipley. 3rd & 1, Colt hands it off to Lamarr Houston and he muscles in for the 1st down. Colt fires to WR, Malcolm Williams. He hangs on, 1st down. Texas seems to be gaining ground. But the Nebraska defense isn’t making it easy. 3rd & 13, Nebraska fans are fired up. Colt fires into the end zone, it’s incomplete but there’s a flag on the play, pass interference, 1st & goal. Texas on the 4, time 2:58. Hand off to Newtown for a gain of 2 as Texas is steadily getting closer to the end zone. 2nd & goal, Colt keeps the ball and Cody Johnson leads him in to the end zone. TOUCHDOWN! But it’s a close one and the play is reviewed. The ruling stands. Texas 7, Nebraska 6.

Nebraska possession; Lee tries to get a drive started for the Huskers but quickly stalls out.

Texas possession; Colt, bottled up goes down. Texas with the hurry up offense picks up the pace. Newton picks up the 1st down rolls off a defender. Colt connects with Shipley for another 1st down. 8 seconds left in the 1st half the Horns run out of time.

HALFTIME!

3rd quarter, Nebraska possession; Lee hands off to Washington for a gain of 6 and a gain of 5. 3rd & 1, Nebraska calls a timeout. But Nebraska can’t regroup and punts.

Texas possession; Colt steps off to the left and throws to Shipley for a 1st down. But there’s a flag, 1st & 25. Texas tries to shake it off and get a drive started but Colt is chased down and sacked by Ndamukong Suh. 3rd & 30, Texas can’t recover and brings on the punting team.

Nebraska possession; Lee rolls to the right, under pressure from Sergio Kindle he throws the ball away. Again under pressure, Lee throws the ball, it’s tipped by Lamarr Houston and intercepted by Roddrick Muckleroy.

Texas possession; But the Texas offense is unable to take advantage of the possession as Colt is sacked. 4th down, Colt punts and the ball takes a great roll as Shipley downs it at the 2nd yard line.

Nebraska possession at the Texas 2. Nebraska brings in a new quarterback, Cody Green. But there’s a flag on the first play, illegal procedure. Nebraska is pushed back to the Texas 1. Green throws and is nearly intercepted by Gideon. Nebraska fails to get out of Texas territory and has to punt from inside the end zone.

Texas possession; Colt unable to find a receiver throws the ball away. Nebraska’s defense successfully brings the Texas offensive to a stop, 4th & 8. Colt punts again. The ball rolls and is downed at the Texas 7.

Nebraska possession; Zach Lee is back in for Nebraska. But Nebraska gets off to a shaky start with a couple of penalties and doesn’t recover. Nebraska punts from the end zone.

Texas possession; Colt takes off for a 1st down and the Texas fans come alive again. Colt under pressure throws, it’s incomplete but there’s a flag, pass interference. 1st down! But the Nebraska defense reads the next play and stops Newton in his tracks. Colt picks up the pace and connects with Shipley for a short gain, 3rd & 7. Trying to keep the momentum going, Colt fires to Williams but it’s incomplete. Texas brings in the kicking team. Hunter Lawrence delivers! Texas 10, Nebraska 6.

Texas kicks off and Niles Paul explodes down the field. He’s and finally knocked out of bounds at the 48 as Longhorn fans let out a sigh of relief.

Nebraska possession; Lee connects with Brandon WR, Kinnie for Nebraska’s 1st first down of the game. The 3rd quarter comes to a close.

4th quarter; Lee fires down field, it’s caught but Earl Thomas comes in with the hit and jars the ball loose, 4th down. Nebraska punts.

Texas possession at the 10; Colt rolls left, throws, it’s incomplete. But there’s a flag, pass interference. 1st down Texas! Colt fires down the field to Kirkendoll. But Kirkendoll can’t hang on to what could have been a touchdown. Texas still can’t get their rhythm going, 4th down. Tucker comes in to punt; he booms the ball down the field. But Niles Paul takes off and side steps his way down the field. He’s finally brought down at the 10.

Nebraska possession at the Texas 10. But Nebraska is unable to gain any ground as the Texas defense steps it up. Nebraska calls a timeout, 3rd & goal. Lee fires into the end zone. It’s caught, but it’s out of bounds. Nebraska brings in the kicking team. The kick is good. Texas 10, Nebraska 9. Time 11:34.

Nebraska kicks off. Marquise Goodwin unable to maintain his balance bobbles the ball and is called down at the Texas 1.

Texas possession; Colt from the goal line struggles to the 2. He hands off to Newton and he’s brought down within inches of the end zone, 3rd & 10. Colt fires to Shipley, 1st down. Hand off to Newton for a gain of 4. Texas is now gaining momentum as Colt and the Longhorns steadily move down the field. But Colt goes down making it the 8th sack for Nebraska. 2nd & 16, Colt fires to Kirkendoll but the pass is deflected and incomplete. 3rd & 16, Colt fires down the sideline to Williams, 1st down! Colt takes off for a gain of 8, 2nd & 2 at the Nebraska 43. Texas is comes up with another 1st down. Texas is now at the Nebraska 38, making this the longest drive of the game so far. Colt hands off to Newton but no gain. 3rd & 5, Colt fires to Goodwin for a 1s down. Colt fires to Buckner. He connects but the ball is stripped by Dijon Gomes as the come down.

Nebraska possession; Nebraska answers back as Lee takes off for a 1st down connects with Kinnie for another 1st down.. Nebraska is now within field goal position. Timeout, time 1:54. Nebraska brings in the kicking team. The kick is good. Nebraska 12, Texas 10. Longhorn fans fall silent as Nebraska is now in the position to upset Texas and make it to the BCS Championship.

Nebraska kicks off; the ball rolls out at the 40.

Texas possession; Colt fires to Shipley, the pass is complete. There’s a flag on the play, personal foul, Texas at the 26. Colt takes off but no gain. 2nd & 12, Colt gets caught up at the line of scrimmage and rolls to the right he throws the all out of bounds. Time runs out! Husker fans go crazy. But did it run out? The play is reviewed and 1 second gets put back on the clock. Fans are all on their feet and the stadium is a deafening roar. Texas brings Hunter Lawrence and the kicking team for a 46 field goal attempt. The range is well within Hunter’s range. But Nebraska calls a timeout in an attempt to rattle Texas. Hunter Lawrence gets set; the snap is good, Hunter delivers! Texas 13, Nebraska 12. Game over! The Longhorns rush the field and sweep up Hunter Lawrence, the hero of the day.

Wow, who would’ve thought it? Nebraska put up a fight and would not quit. They held the highest scoring offense in the nation to one touchdown. The win was nasty. But it was a win, thanks to the Texas defense and Hunter Lawrence.

Texas is now set to go to Pasadena in January giving the Horns time to regroup. Time the Horns will surely use to get focused and get their offensive game back in time to face off against Alabama. The game promises to be full of excitement. Join me January 7th for the game and HOOK’EM HORNS!