Texas squeaks into Rose Bowl to play Michigan

"I think we all agree there's some flaws," in the BCS, Brown said. "Cal deserves to be in the BCS and they didn't get in."

For Texas, the Rose Bowl is a BCS bid that's been a long time coming.

Texas missed out in 2001 when the third-ranked Longhorns lost to Colorado in the Big 12 title game. Last year, Kansas State's upset of Oklahoma in the conference championship again bumped the Longhorns down to the Holiday Bowl.

After so many near-misses, Texas players weren't about to apologize for their good fortune and the thousands of burnt-orange fans who will descend on Southern California.

"It's our time," said senior safety Phillip Geiggar, who greeted reporters with a red rose tucked behind his right ear. "We have a great team and we've showed that."

With Cal tumbling to the Holiday Bowl, the Rose Bowl lost its traditional Pac-10 vs. Big Ten matchup.

Rose Bowl officials deflected questions about whether they were disappointed about losing Cal.

"We have been traditionalists," said Dave Davis, president of the Tournament of Roses. "(But) we understand the BCS rules. We need to comply with the BCS rules. Therefore, we're going to put on the very best game we can for these two wonderful teams."

And while the Longhorns' selection will be sure to cause some arguing about an already controversial system, a Texas-Michigan matchup on New Year's Day is one college football purists will appreciate.

Michigan (842) and Texas (786) rank No. 1 and No. 4, respectively, among the winningest programs in college football history and boast of deep and proud traditions.

"It's a game that everybody in the country is going to want to see," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.

Michigan shared the Big Ten title because it ended the regular season on Nov. 20 with a 37-21 upset loss at rival Ohio State.

The Wolverines are led by the freshmen backfield duo of quarterback Chad Henne and tailback Mike Hart.

Hart's 124.7 yards rushing per game rank ninth in the nation and Henne was the first freshman quarterback to start a season-opener at Michigan since 1975.

Texas, which lost 12-0 to Oklahoma back on Oct. 9, has reeled off six straight wins behind the running of Heisman Trophy contender Cedric Benson, the No. 6 career rusher in Division I-A history with 5,470 yards.

Texas is No. 6 in the AP poll. Michigan is No. 13.