Texas rolls to easy win, Kansas State and Big 12 next
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Lump the easy wins against overmatched opponents and the loss to Arkansas together. In many ways they no longer matter for No. 13 Texas.
The next two games against No. 16 Kansas State and No. 1 Oklahoma will determine what happens to the Longhorns' dreams for their first Big 12 title since 1996.
``It's going to be here whether we're ready or not,'' coach Mack Brown said after Texas' 63-18 romp over Tulane. ``The last two weeks were what we needed to get back on track. We dominated like we're supposed to.
``We realize next week we're not playing against Tulane's defense.''
Kansas State is one of the favorites to win the Big 12 North and Oklahoma is, well, Oklahoma. The Sooners have won three straight over the Longhorns, a streak made that much worse for Texas by Oklahoma's national championship in 2000.
For now, all attention is focused on the Wildcats.
``We have Kansas State coming ahead,'' running back Cedric Benson said. ``We know the road goes forward from here.''
The Longhorns (3-1) are cruising in the fast lane.
For two straight weeks, Texas has dominated overmatched opponents as it worked to fix problems exposed in the 38-28 loss to No. 8 Arkansas back on Sept. 13.
As they did in a 48-7 win over Rice, the Longhorns used the Chance Mock-Vince Young quarterback combination to near perfection against Tulane (3-2).
Texas led 49-6 at halftime as Mock ran for one touchdown and passed for three more. Young added two scores on a run and pass. The Longhorns also ran for a season-high 302 yards as Benson scored three times.
``(Arkansas) was a wakeup call for us,'' said receiver Roy Williams, who caught two TDs against the Green Wave. ``We can't lose no more.''
The gaudy numbers of the last two games should give Kansas State -- which had its own problems exposed in a home loss to Marshall -- plenty to think about.
For starters, Mock and Young are a difficult combination to defend.
While Mock starts and is considered the more polished passer, Young is the one likely to throw deep on one play and use the next one to break off a long run like his 60-yarder against Tulane.
``It's a change of pace because we have two completely different styles,'' said Mock, who has thrown for 10 touchdown passes this season. ``It's like throwing a curveball in there.''
The Longhorns scored on seven of eight first-half possessions against Tulane. The only drive that didn't earn a touchdown ended on a fumble inside the Tulane 15.
Brown cautions that the days of easy wins are likely over. The Big 12 is a whole different ballgame.
``We're ready,'' Benson said.
