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Dennis Dodd

'Massive voter revolt' only way Texas doesn't go to Pasadena

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We have our BCS title game participants barely (Texas) and by a blowout (Alabama).

'Bama destroyed Florida 32-13 to earn its spot in the BCS title game. However, Nebraska still thinks it is the Big 12 champion after a controversial 13-12 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. Only because of a replay review are the Longhorns going to play for the national championship.

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy almost threw away the season when he casually threw a pass out of bounds as the clock ran out. Nebraska charged the field thinking it had won 12-10 but a booth review showed that there was one second left.

Kicker Hunter Lawrence then saved the season for Texas with a 46-yard field goal that barely snuck inside the left upright as time expired. The victory likely preserved Texas' spot in the national championship game. But it's not a certainty.

There is still some question whether Texas will finish in the top two. It likely will lose some juice in the human polls and computers but overall, should be able to stay at No. 2 and play for the national championship for the second time in five years, according to collegebcs.com's Jerry Palm.

There is little chance of Texas being passed by either No. 4 TCU and No. 5 Cincinnati because of voter uncertainty over which team actually deserves to move ahead of the Longhorns.

"Texas may not be the unanimous No. 2 in the polls. TCU will get some votes, Cincinnati will too, but there's no reason to think Texas won't be No. 2," Palm said. "I'm not sure I would vote Texas No. 2 but I think most people will."

For Texas not to finish No. 2 there would have to be what Palm called, "massive voter revolt."

Texas came into the game a two-touchdown favorite but struggled all night against Nebraska's defense.

"I think we'll be ranked No. 2 and we'll go to Pasadena and that's the way it should be," Longhorns coach Mack Brown said after the win.

The Heisman race is more uncertain. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh and Clemson's C.J. Spiller made huge statements. Alabama's Mark Ingram scored three times against Florida but wasn't even the best player on the field. Quarterback Greg McElroy was the MVP as 'Bama clinched its first SEC title in 10 years.

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