 "Photo: Paul Wentzell")
It's just not something that usually deserves much attention from Texas players.
But last Sunday, coach Mack Brown talked with his team and reminded the Longhorns what they could gain with a win this Saturday: bowl eligibility.
A six-win season all but guarantees Texas an extra game in late December or early January, but to the Longhorns, ending the season with just six wins is nearly unthinkable.
"We take that for granted around here," Brown said. "It's something that [the players] need to take seriously, something they need to be accountable for."
The No. 19 Longhorns (5-2, 1-2 Big 12) get their first shot at gaining bowl eligibility against Baylor (3-4, 0-3) tomorrow in Waco. Though the Longhorns have not lost to the Bears since Brown has been Texas' head coach, he said they still prepared hard as ever this week for the 11:30 a.m. game.
Unlike other games where Texas' defense is able to focus on defending a few key players, the Longhorns were left without the knowledge of who Baylor's starting quarterback would be after news came Tuesday that starter Blake Szymanski may have suffered a concussion, leaving his status questionable for Saturday's game.
That left Texas uncertain as to whether Szymanski or his backups - John David Weed and Michael Machen - would take the snaps. But the Longhorns don't seem to care who leads the team's spread offense.
"When their offense is like it is, and all three quarterbacks have been throwers, it really doesn't matter because you prepare for a scheme," Brown said. "We feel like Baylor's gone more the direction of a Texas Tech-type offense, where they're going to spread it out and throw the ball all over the field. All three young men have played, and all three are good."
And Baylor's spread has Texas defenders drooling.
The defensive linemen and ends have been waiting for a chance to have more downs to focus on sacking the quarterback, whoever it might be.
"Defensive guys get excited about this type of offense just because it's rushing the passer," Brown said. "They'll have to stop the run. You still have to stop the screens, but you've got to defend the pass and put pressure on the quarterback. It's a week they really get pumped about."
But Saturday's game will also be a big measuring stick for Texas' still somewhat inexperienced secondary.
"It's something we've improved each week," Brown said. "But this will be a great test for us."
It could be, but most analysts see the Longhorns winning and setting themselves up for their 47th bowl appearance, which would ensure they remain second on the list of all-time NCAA bowl appearances. Texas is currently tied at No. 2 with Tennessee, and both are behind Alabama, which has 54 appearances.
Texas has maintained a tradition few schools can claim by going to a bowl game nine consecutive years. By now, making it to 10 years is an afterthought.
"It is hard and challenging to get bowl eligible every year. That's just the standard here that's been set for a long time, and we expect it," Brown said. "Obviously six wins is a goal, but it's way below the standard for the goal we've set for the end of the year."
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