Texas has a leg to stand on

For those who might think Texas’ Hunter Lawrence doesn’t have a prayer of kicking another game-winning field-goal in tonight’s Bowl Championship Series title game, here’s a news flash: He does.

Lawrence, a senior, lined up for a 46-yard field goal with one second left against Nebraska in the Big 12 Conference championship game. All that was on the line there was a chance to later play for the national title. Before the snap, holder Jordan Shipley turned to his kicker.

“He said you are going to make this, and then quoted scripture, Jeremiah 17:7,” Lawrence recalled this week.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him . . .

A little divine guidance didn’t hurt -- he sneaked the kick just inside the left upright -- but it seems like all of Texas has faith in Lawrence at this point.

“I knew he was going to make it before we lined up,” defensive tackle Lamarr Houston said. “The only thing I was worried about was, ‘I hope I can get back and book a flight to California before everyone else does.’ ”

Special teams play looms as an important factor in this and every game. Texas seems well equipped:

Shipley averages 13 yards on punt returns and has taken two back for touchdowns. D.J. Monroe, reinstated for the game after a driving-under-the-influence charge was dismissed, has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, and Marquise Goodwin one.

Alabama also has a highly regarded kicker. The Crimson Tide’s Leigh Tiffin led the nation with 29 field goals.

But Lawrence was tested with everything on the line -- a $17-million bowl-game payday and a chance to win the crystal trophy.

Lawrence had to be all but perfect even to win the Texas job two seasons ago.

Ryan Bailey was the Longhorns’ incumbent kicker after a 2007 season in which he made 18 of 22 field goals and scored 112 points. The competition was thrown open, though, and, Lawrence recalled, “I don’t think either of us missed very many kicks in spring practice.”

Lawrence still isn’t sure why he won out, but he has made 32 of 37 field goals in two seasons, including 22 of 25 this season -- a few that got Texas to this point.

Lawrence made three field goals in a 16-13 victory over then-No. 20 Oklahoma, the last from 32 yards with 12 minutes left to break a 13-13 tie.

That proved to be a warmup to his moment against Nebraska.

“You mostly have to calm yourself down,” Lawrence said about the moments leading up to that kick. “You can’t get too excited about it. It’s just another kick, even though it’s not. I spaced out a little bit and didn’t let anything in.”

And kept the faith.

“It started out at the left upright and about halfway the ball started tailing back,” Shipley said. “I never doubted it.”

chris.foster@latimes.com

twitter.com/cfosterlatimes