Texas
Longhorns

Indeed, the Longhorns will be playing for the Big 12 championship, something that's been a foregone conclusion for some time with them being undefeated while much of the conference scuffles.

Texas improved to 11-0 overall and 7-0 in the league, with a Thanksgiving game at Texas A&M remaining before the Dec. 5 date in Arlington, Texas, against North champion Nebraska.

McCoy played until the 5:52 mark of the fourth quarter, when Texas coach Mack Brown removed his quarterback, as well as the remainder of the seniors who play offense. It was their last appearance in Royal-Memorial Stadium.

The game ball, naturally, went to McCoy after he completed 32 of 41 passes for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He added 29 yards rushing. He became just the fifth player in FBS history to surpass 14,000 total yards in his career.

"I don't think we could have scripted it any better," Brown said. "He's in here for a big finish and he was sending that message."

The message could be received well by Heisman Trophy voters, who made McCoy the second choice last season behind Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. As long as the Longhorns don't stumble before the votes are due, McCoy will get support for the all-important stat he authored -- career victories.

--Among the 21 seniors who played their final home games for Texas, all are on track to earn degrees within the next year. Five already have earned undergraduate degrees and four are expected to graduate in December.

GAME BALL GOES TO: QB Colt McCoy -- The fourth-year starter not only broke the major college record for wins by a quarterback with the 43rd of his career, he totaled 425 yards. He became just the fifth quarterback in FBS history to record more than 14,000 total yards in his career. McCoy threw four touchdowns, while firing to two receivers who produced more than 100 yards apiece, Jordan Shipley and Malcolm Williams.

KEEP AN EYE ON: S Earl Thomas -- One of the best defensive backs in the Big 12 continues to make influential plays, grabbing his seventh interception to tie a Texas season record. He also returned a punt 50 yards and was credited with nine tackles.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "(Seniors) pretty much handle this team from within and when seniors can take ownership of their team and handle it, those are usually your best teams. This team's been able to have fun, cut up with the coaches and each other, but when it's time to play, they go play and they don't panic." -- Texas coach Mack Brown.

ROSTER REPORT:

--CB Aaron Williams suffered an apparent injury to his right knee or ankle and was unable to put any weight on that foot.

--LB Roddrick Muckelroy returned after missing the Baylor game with an injury on Nov. 14. Muckelroy was in on six tackles, all unassisted.

--KR D.J. Monroe was suspended for the Kansas game after being charged with driving under the influence. WR Marquise Goodwin and WR Jordan Shipley were the replacements in the return game.