Not Your Ordinary Game

For nearly a month, the Texas Longhorns heard critics question whether they deserved to be in the Rose Bowl more than Pacific 10 Conference runner-up California.

Two days ago, Cal took some of the pressure off by losing to Texas Tech in the Holiday Bowl by 14 points.

Today, Texas will get its opportunity to show it truly belongs. The sixth-ranked Longhorns (10-1) will make their Rose Bowl debut against Big Ten Conference champion Michigan (9-2) in the first meeting between two of the nation’s historic football programs.

“It’s two teams that have great history,” Texas Coach Mack Brown said. “The fact that Texas has never been in the Rose Bowl is a great accomplishment for these young people. The fact that we’ve never played Michigan before is another accomplishment for these young people, but you don’t want to have been in the Rose Bowl one time and never have won it.”

A victory over Michigan would not only end the Texas-Cal debate for good, it would also help solidify the Longhorns as a national force under Brown, who recently agreed to a 10-year contract extension worth $25 million.

Texas had its eye on playing in the Fiesta Bowl last year but fell short and wound up in the Holiday Bowl, where it was upset by Washington State.

“I don’t think we were as focused as we should have been,” Longhorn defensive tackle Rodrique Wright said. “We thought that we were a BCS team and we went in there with big heads and lost the game.

“We know this one is special. ... It’s unbelievable that Texas had never played Michigan before and for the game to be in our first Rose Bowl.... We know that there is a lot of history at stake for this game. We’re very focused because we know this is a game that needs to be won.”

For Michigan, it’s more about respect.

After losing to Ohio State, 37-21, and then backing into the Rose Bowl thanks to Iowa’s victory over Wisconsin, the Wolverines head into today’s game flying under the radar.

Ranked 13th, Michigan has defeated only one ranked team all season -- Purdue.

“I would say it’s a game of redemption,” senior cornerback Marlin Jackson said. “We ended the season on a bad note down in Ohio State, giving up 37 points and a ton of big plays. That’s kind of a mark that we have on us now.

“We want to erase that and get rid of that and show everyone in this country that we can come out and play well in a big game.”

In 10 seasons at Michigan, Lloyd Carr has coached the Wolverines into a bowl game every year, including three Rose Bowl appearances.

But Michigan lost to USC, 28-14, a year ago, which is another reason why today’s game has added importance for the Wolverines.

“When you have an opportunity to play in a Rose Bowl and you don’t play well, you can make all of the excuses you want,” Carr said about last year’s defeat to the Trojans.

“I’ve always approached bowl games, it’s a one-game season. You’ve got one opportunity. So the team that comes out successful will have much better memories than the ones that don’t.”

In last year’s Rose Bowl, Michigan couldn’t shut down USC’s multiple-look offense, and Matt Leinart passed for 331 yards and three touchdowns. The Wolverines will not have that problem against Texas, which likes to run the ball with Doak Walker Award winner Cedric Benson.

Benson, who needs 129 yards to move into fourth place on the NCAA Division I-A all-time rushing list, gained 1,764 yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season.

He and mobile quarterback Vincent Young will pressure the Wolverines’ run defense.

“It’s going to be a very tight game,” Michigan’s Jackson said. “It’s going to be a tight, physical old-school game. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I don’t know anyone else that has a more complete, dynamic running game than they have. They have by far the best running game that we’ll face all year.”

Michigan also likes to run the ball. With freshman running back Mike Hart stepping up in the second half of the season, the Wolverines’ improved ground attack helped open up passing lanes for freshman quarterback Chad Henne.

The Longhorns can’t overlook Michigan’s passing game, especially with Fred Biletnikoff Award winner Braylon Edwards as a break-away threat at receiver.

With 87 catches for 1,221 yards during the regular season, Edwards became the first player in Big Ten history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving three times in a career.

And Edwards loves the postseason. In two bowl appearances, he has 14 receptions for 217 yards, including a 10-catch, 107-yard effort against USC a year ago.

“He’s got his own playing style,” Texas safety Michael Huff said. “Depending on the situation, he goes out there and makes plays. Even in the running game, he throws some key blocks to spring the running back. He is just an all-around great receiver.”

In the end, it’s a matchup between two programs that pride themselves on toughness.

“They do a lot of different things that we don’t see in our conference,” Texas quarterback Young said. “So we’re looking forward to seeing how we match up. I think we match up well and we’re confident in what we do on offense.

“If we play our game, we should be able to go out there and take care of business.”