By Chris Foster
Los Angeles Times
January 4, 2010
Nebraska is still on the minds of Texas' offensive linemen.
Preparing to confront a fierce Alabama defense in the Bowl Championship Series title game Thursday at the Rose Bowl, the question is whether the Longhorns have enough up front.
The Nebraska game was the topic of conversation during Sunday's media rounds, and will certainly be touched on during Longhorns practices at UC Irvine this week.
There are plenty of connect-the-dot comparisons between Alabama and Nebraska on defense, but Texas' Colt McCoy will be happy to know that the way they rush the quarterback isn't one of them.
Nebraska ranks second in the nation with 44 sacks, including nine against McCoy in the Big 12 Conference title game.
Alabama has 31 sacks, only 8.5 by the players who start on the defensive line.
Compare that total to Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh, who had 12, and teammate Jared Crick, who had 9.5.
"They're very different," Texas tackle Adam Ulatoski said of the Cornhuskers and Crimson Tide. "Nebraska, its defensive line, they read and kind of made plays on their own. The Alabama line really takes up blocks and frees up space for the linebackers to make plays, and they have great linebackers."
Texas gained only 202 yards against Nebraska and escaped with a 13-12 victory. The pressure the Cornhuskers put on McCoy disrupted the Texas offense.
"I don't think we executed as well as we could have," Ulatoski said. "I think that was probably the biggest fault in the defensive line."
The Longhorns have had a month to correct those flaws.
"Alabama is definitely the same quality as Nebraska," Texas center Chris Hall said. "We're going to have our hands full for sure."
Immovable object
In the middle of the Alabama defensive line is Terrence Cody, a 6-foot-5, 365-pound mountain.
"He's such a big guy that he is going to make plays," Texas tailback Tre' Newton said. "You have to keep after him."
How does a 200-pound tailback do that against a player nearly twice his size?
"You have to be physical," Newton said.
And that happens . . . how?
"Uh . . ." was Newton's response before laughter got him off the hook.
Friends and foes
Newton and Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy were teammates at Southlake (Texas) Carroll High.
"He handed off to me a lot," said Newton, who was two years behind McElroy. "He helped lead us to a state championship, so that was a good memory."
Friendship goes only so far. McElroy now stands in the way of a national title for Newton.
"I can't remember the last time I spoke with him, my senior year in high school I think," Newton said.
Real McCoy
Asked about how he has been treated in his hometown of Tuscola, Texas (population 714), McCoy said, "Well, I think all 700 people probably have an autograph at this point."
