No. 3 Texas

Coach: Mack Brown
Record: 115-26, 11 years; 201-100-1 in 25 years overall
Last season: 12-1, 7-1 Big 12
Bowl game: Beat Ohio State 24-21 in the Fiesta Bowl

Overview: Texas has played in a BCS bowl game in three of the past five seasons, including its national championship team in 2005 when it beat Southern Cal. Last season the Longhorns appeared headed toward another chance at a title when they beat Oklahoma. But on Nov. 1, Texas Tech hit a last-second pass that knocked Texas out of the running for the national championship.
Key returnees: QB Colt McCoy, Sr.; WR Jordan Shipley, Sr.; OT Adam Ulatoski, Sr.; C Chris Hall, Sr.; DE/OLB Sergio Kindle, Sr.; LB Roddrick Muckelroy, Sr.
Why Texas is dangerous: Quarterback Colt McCoy was a Heisman Trophy finalist, but was beaten out by fellow Big 12 South QB, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford. McCoy passed on a chance for the NFL Draft to return for his senior year. He passed for 3,859 yards and 34 touchdowns, with only eight interceptions. Receiver Jordan Shipley had 1,060 receiving yards. Defensively, end/linebacker Sergio Kindle had 10 sacks and linebacker Roddrick Muckleroy had 112 tackles.
Why Texas is vulnerable: No Texas running back broke from the pack, and McCoy was the team’s leading rusher. UT will also break in new starters on the defensive line.
Prediction: The Longhorns should have clear sailing into its annual showdown with Oklahoma on Oct. 17. Should the ’Horns win that game, they should be the favorite in the Big 12 Championship Game and a berth in the BCS title game, although a visit to Oklahoma State on Oct. 31 could be a high hurdle.