Garrett Gilbert

Everything is bigger in Texas. UCLA has two quarterbacks in its controversy. Texas has three. The Longhorns will play either sophomore Case McCoy or freshman David Ash against UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, unless the choice is Ash or junior Garrett Gilbert. Then again, it might be Gilbert or McCoy. To borrow and adjust the old Texas Ranger motto: One riot, three quarterbacks. This is bedlam compared to the quarterback peace that reigned when Colt McCoy rode roughshod over the Big 12 Conference two seasons ago. The line of succession back then seemed clear.

UCLA gets a high-profile opportunity against Texas on Saturday. Both teams are coming off down seasons, though the Longhorns' fall to 5-7 was from a greater height. Texas had won at least 10 games in nine consecutive seasons. Staff writer Chris Foster examines the game's issues and matchups: At a loss Joe Tresey, UCLA's defensive coordinator, set a goal of eight tackles for a loss per game. The Bruins have a total of seven in two games. The interior defensive front is getting pushed back and missed tackles almost seem like part of the game plan.

It remains illegal in Texas to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel, milk another person's cow, drive without windshield wipers and for Texas to finish 5-7. What happened? Two years ago, we put the No.1 saddle on Texas and rode the Longhorns all the way to the national title game at the Rose Bowl. Yee-haw! Texas was playing Alabama off its feet early before a freak injury caused Colt McCoy to lose throwing-arm feeling, and that probably caused the Longhorns to lose the national title.

Everything is bigger in Texas. UCLA has two quarterbacks in its controversy. Texas has three. The Longhorns will play either sophomore Case McCoy or freshman David Ash against UCLA on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, unless the choice is Ash or junior Garrett Gilbert. Then again, it might be Gilbert or McCoy. To borrow and adjust the old Texas Ranger motto: One riot, three quarterbacks. This is bedlam compared to the quarterback peace that reigned when Colt McCoy rode roughshod over the Big 12 Conference two seasons ago. The line of succession back then seemed clear.

Deep in the heart of Texas, chins went to chests. Same thing in that portion of the Rose Bowl crowd of 94,906 who were there to root for Texas. The people in the burnt-orange shirts had just been singed in the worst way imaginable. Just 4 minutes 6 seconds had been played in this, college football's national championship game, better known as the BCS Bowl. Already, wild things had been happening. Alabama, coached by a fairly conservative man named Nick Saban, had tried a fake punt and pass on fourth down and 23 from its own 20-yard line.

Cyrus Gray rushed for 223 yards and had two long touchdown runs to help No. 17 Texas A&M beat Texas, 24-17, on Thursday night at Austin, sending the Longhorns to their first losing season since 1997. Gray had touchdown runs of 84 yards in the second quarter and 48 yards in the third. Von Miller intercepted a tipped pass at the Texas A&M 11-yard line with 2 minutes 37 seconds left to kill what looked like a drive for the tying touchdown. Jeff Fuller also caught a touchdown pass and Randy Bullock kicked a 50-yard field goal for the Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Big 12)

UCLA gets a high-profile opportunity against Texas on Saturday. Both teams are coming off down seasons, though the Longhorns' fall to 5-7 was from a greater height. Texas had won at least 10 games in nine consecutive seasons. Staff writer Chris Foster examines the game's issues and matchups: At a loss Joe Tresey, UCLA's defensive coordinator, set a goal of eight tackles for a loss per game. The Bruins have a total of seven in two games. The interior defensive front is getting pushed back and missed tackles almost seem like part of the game plan.

Jordan Shipley sought out the future of Texas football, finding freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert walking with his head down. The Longhorns' senior wide receiver would have none of that. "This is going to be great for you," Shipley said, cupping his hand behind Gilbert's neck to pull him closer to drive the words home. "I am going to enjoy watching you." This was not the type of performance that would normally merit such praise. Gilbert was too often the Alabama defense's best friend.

PASSING LEADERS Texas Colt McCoy...2-2, 9 yards Alabama Greg McElroy ...1-2, 23 yards RUSHING LEADERS Texas Tre' Newton...5, 16 yards Alabama Mark Ingram...5, 44 yards RECEIVING LEADERS Texas Jordan Shipley...1, 5 yards Alabama Julio Jones...1, 23 yards Momentum: Texas fans went nuts when safety Blake Gideon intercepted a pass by Alabama punter P.J. Fitzgerald on the first possession.

PASSING LEADERS Texas Gilbert...6-18, 104 yards, TD Alabama McElroy...2-2, 9 yards RUSHING LEADERS Texas Newton...6, 8 yards Alabama Richardson...4, 2 yards RECEIVING LEADERS Texas Shipley...4, 56 yards, TD Alabama Ingram...1, 5 yards Momentum: Texas grabbed it in the final two minutes when quarterback Garrett Gilbert finally hit an open receiver, completing a 44-yard pass to All-American Jordan Shipley with 1:31 left in the quarter.

It remains illegal in Texas to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel, milk another person's cow, drive without windshield wipers and for Texas to finish 5-7. What happened? Two years ago, we put the No.1 saddle on Texas and rode the Longhorns all the way to the national title game at the Rose Bowl. Yee-haw! Texas was playing Alabama off its feet early before a freak injury caused Colt McCoy to lose throwing-arm feeling, and that probably caused the Longhorns to lose the national title.

Cyrus Gray rushed for 223 yards and had two long touchdown runs to help No. 17 Texas A&M beat Texas, 24-17, on Thursday night at Austin, sending the Longhorns to their first losing season since 1997. Gray had touchdown runs of 84 yards in the second quarter and 48 yards in the third. Von Miller intercepted a tipped pass at the Texas A&M 11-yard line with 2 minutes 37 seconds left to kill what looked like a drive for the tying touchdown. Jeff Fuller also caught a touchdown pass and Randy Bullock kicked a 50-yard field goal for the Aggies (9-3, 6-2 Big 12)

Deep in the heart of Texas, chins went to chests. Same thing in that portion of the Rose Bowl crowd of 94,906 who were there to root for Texas. The people in the burnt-orange shirts had just been singed in the worst way imaginable. Just 4 minutes 6 seconds had been played in this, college football's national championship game, better known as the BCS Bowl. Already, wild things had been happening. Alabama, coached by a fairly conservative man named Nick Saban, had tried a fake punt and pass on fourth down and 23 from its own 20-yard line.

Jordan Shipley sought out the future of Texas football, finding freshman quarterback Garrett Gilbert walking with his head down. The Longhorns' senior wide receiver would have none of that. "This is going to be great for you," Shipley said, cupping his hand behind Gilbert's neck to pull him closer to drive the words home. "I am going to enjoy watching you." This was not the type of performance that would normally merit such praise. Gilbert was too often the Alabama defense's best friend.

PASSING LEADERS Texas Garrett Gilbert...0-6, 2 int. Alabama McElroy...1-2, 11 yards RUSHING LEADERS Texas D.J. Monroe...1, 28 yards Alabama T. Richardson...6, 57 yards, TD RECEIVING LEADERS Texas None...0 yards Alabama Richardson...1, 11 yards Momentum: It was Alabama from start to finish, with Mark Ingram scoring on a two-yard run two plays into the quarter and defensive lineman Marcell Dareus scoring on a 28-yard interception return with only a few seconds left.