8 - Texas

Even though the University of Texas played its first football game in 1893, the program’s biggest play arguably occurred just seven months ago at the Rose Bowl.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Longhorns had fourth down with 5 yards to go on the Southern California 8-yard line. All game long, the Trojans had struggled to stop Vince Young, who would finish with 200 rushing yards and 267 passing yards, yet still no one knew what to expect.

After taking the snap in shotgun formation, Young bounced on his toes while scanning the field for an open receiver. Finding none, he took off toward the right pylon and on its last offensive play of the season Texas won the national championship when the quarterback scored his third touchdown of the game.

“Do whatever it takes," Young said afterward.

But in addition to the title, the run also ended approximately 25 years of unfulfilled expectations for the Longhorns, who had developed a reputation for being a perennial power with seemingly endless talent that couldn’t win big games.

For example, since 1998 coach Mack Brown’s worst season still resulted in nine wins, and his teams had won at least 10 games the four consecutive seasons prior to 2005. However, during that same time period, Texas played in only two Big 12 Championship games and lost both.

In the Tuscaloosa News’ Best College Football Rankings, which continues to rate the Top 25 programs throughout the summer, Texas scored points in eight categories --- all but active NFL players and grades.

Of course, the Longhorns finished No. 1 in last year’s final Associated Press poll, and followed with another strong recruiting class that ranked fifth. With Tennessee not advancing to the postseason, they also caught the Volunteers for second in all-time bowl appearances (45, behind Alabama’s 53).

Although Texas has won two Heisman Trophies (Earl Campbell in 1977 and Ricky Williams in 1998), and used to all but dominate the Southwest Conference before it folded when Arkansas jumped to the SEC, the heart of its legacy stems from coach Darrell Royal.

After the former All-American quarterback took over the program prior to the start of the 1957 season, Texas quickly ascended to the top of the college football world, peaking in 1963 with an 11-0 record and 28-6 victory against Navy in the Cotton Bowl to win its first consensus national championship.

But Royal’s best team was probably his 1969 squad. A year after he and offensive coordinator Emory Ballard unveiled the wishbone (which Paul W. “Bear" Bryant would learn and incorporate a couple years later), Texas’ running game keyed on three All-Americans: halfback Steve Worster, receiver Cotton Speyrer and tackle Bobby Wuensch.

The result was a 10-0 regular season. Texas defeated Notre Dame 21-17 in the Cotton Bowl to win the national championship, and even though the Longhorns lost the rematch 24-11 in 1970, many organizations still voted Texas No. 1, giving Royal his third title in eight years.

“I don’t need to have my picture taken again, and I didn’t need another trophy," Royal said upon retiring in 1976 at the age of 52. “Life’s been good to me."

In 1996, the stadium -- which was originally built in 1924 thanks to donations from alumni, fans and students, and dedicated to the Texans who died during World War I including 1914 team captain Louis Jordan – was renamed Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (it’s seating capacity also went from 27,000 to 80,082).

Reach Christopher Walsh at christopher.walsh@tuscaloosanews.com or at (205) 722-0196.

The Tuscaloosa News Top 25 Rankings are based on ten categories, five all-time, five from the 2005 season, with points awarded similar to the weekly Associated Press poll.

2005 categories: Final AP poll, recruiting, attendance, NFL players and academics.

All-time categories: Bowl appearances, all-time AP Top 25, national championships, College Football Hall of Fame inductees and coaching legacy.

The rankings thus far:

8. Texas

9. Tennessee

10. Florida State

11. Georgia

12. Florida

13. Nebraska

14. Auburn

15. LSU

16. Miami

17. Army

18. Texas A&M

19. UCLA

20. Navy

21. Pittsburgh

22. Stanford

23. Ole Miss

24. Clemson

25. Wisconsin