Berth To BCS Title On The Line For 14 Point Favorite Texas Longhorns

Sports News - December 4th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

When the Texas Longhorns and the Nebraska Cornhuskers meet for the Big 12 Championship at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, TX., it will be the first time these two teams have met for the conference title since 1999.

While both desperately want to win this game, it isn't hard to argue that much more is at stake for Texas come Saturday night.

A win would not only give them Big 12 conference championship, but a victory would also supplant a spot for them in the BCS Title game in Pasadena on January 7th. Should Texas win, it would make for a nice and neat BCS National Championship game unlike the controversy that surrounded last year's game in which Texas was snubbed.

For Nebraska, a win would go a long way in regaining their national prominence on the college football scene. There is little doubt that Nebraska Head Coach Bo Pelini would love to return his team to a BCS bowl game, and they're only one win away.

Texas looks to continue Big 12 South dominance over the North in the Big 12 Title Game. Since the Kansas State Wildcats upended the Oklahoma Sooner, the Big 12 North has failed claimed the conference title, a streak they would surely like to break.

As found at BetUS Sportsbook, odds makers have established the Longhorns as a 14 point favorite to beat the Cornhuskers. Looking at game totals, they have set the over/under at 44 points according to the current College Football Betting Lines.

While they come in as a heavy favorite, Texas Head Coach Mack Brown insists his team is not overlooking Nebraska and that they are remaining entirely focused on the Big 12 Championship game.

"I don't think they'll be thinking about anything other than winning the Big 12 Championship," said Brown in a press conference. "That's all they're thinking about. I promise you they're not thinking about anything beyond Saturday night."

Texas was one play away from playing in this game last year before Texas Tech downed the Longhorns in one of the greatest finishes in college football history. Red Raider QB Graham Harrell threw a touchdown pass to WR Michael Crabtree with :01 left on the clock crushing Texas' dream of playing the Big 12, Championship and ultimately the National Title game.

Instead, their hated rival, Oklahoma, went on to win the Big 12 Championship and play the Florida Gators in the BCS Title game.

Nebraska comes into this game with the top ranked scoring defense in the conference and eager to prove relevance in the college football land.

After beginning the year 4-3, they have reeled of five consecutive victories to reach the conference title game. Despite the string of wins, head coach Bo Pelini still believes his team's best football is still in front of them

"I think our best football is still out there to be played, I really do," Pelini said in a conference. "At times, I think we're playing really well. And at times we're not as consistent as I'd like us to be.

A win Saturday night for Nebraska would catapult them into an Automatic BCS bowl berth and create a BCS nightmare.

TCU and Cincinnati will be pulling hard for the Cornhuskers to shock the world. TCU, currently ranked 4th in the BCS standings could make history as the first ever Non-automatic Qualifier to play for a national championship should Nebraska manage to string the upset.

Texas is 4-0-1 ATS in it's last five games on field turf. Other betting trends show that Nebraska is a feisty 4-1 in their last five games an underdog. Texas will bring its high powered offense to the game as their last 4 conference contests have gone the over.