Texas Plots Path To 2010 National Championship

The Texas Longhorns were one win away from taking home the national championship last season.

Who knows what could have happened if Colt McCoy didn't get hurt and Garret Gilbert didn't have to be thrown into the fire.

They start this year ranked 5th on the AP preseason poll.  Even though they might not run through their schedule undefeated like last season, they still have a chance at a national championship game. 

Here's a look at this year's team and a possible run at the BCS title.

Game 1: Rice Not Expected to Challenge Horns

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor McHargue #16 of the Rice Owls loses the ball after he is sacked by defensive end Sam Acho #81 of the Texas Longhorns at Reliant Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Texas recovered the fumble and scor

Texas started their season with a win against Rice University on Saturday, 31-17. 

Despite a slow start, which saw Rice take a 3-0 lead after the first quarter, the Longhorns took a 24-10 lead into the half and never looked back. 

The star of the game was Tre' Newon, who coming into the game had lost his starting job to big bruising runner Cody Johnson. 

New starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert converted 14 of 23 passes for 172 yards and no touchdowns.

Game 2: Wyoming Not Expecting a Win Over U.T.

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 24: Lorenzo Washington #97 celebrates with Terrence Cody #62 of the Alabama Crimson Tide after Cody blocked a field goal in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Tuscaloosa

By the look of last year's score, one can say that Wyoming didn't put much of a fight last year when the Longhorns faced the Cowboys.

Texas won the road game 42-10.  But that was a game that was actually close at the half. 

The two teams were separated by only one field goal at the half 13-10.  It was quarterback Colt McCoy that led the second half charge and a dominating win.

Without McCoy's leadership and experience this time, it's Garrett Gilbert's turn to step up.

A win should still be within reach. Perhaps just not as easily as if McCoy were in charge.

Game 3: Longhorns Face Texas Tech Without Leach

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Marlon Winn #67 , Shawn Byrnes 51, Brandon Carter 76, and Chris Olson 70 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders pray for a hurt University of Houston player at Robertson Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B.

This will be the first of four straight tough opponents for the Longhorns.

Gone is former Red Raiders coach Mike Leach and in is new coach Tommy Tuberville.

This is a rebuilding Texas Tech team with a new coach and new quarterback Taylor Potts. They are still capable of surprising the Longhorns.

A loss here could mean an end to their championship aspirations so this Texas team needs to be prepared.

Game 4: UCLA a Dark Horse For Longhorns

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Derrick Coleman #33 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Rose Bowl on September 5, 2009 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty

UCLA presents a challenging out-of-conference opponent for Texas.

The Bruins started the season as a darkhose candidate to contend in the Pac-10. Their opening game loss to Kansas State should temper such high expectations.

If Kansas State can beat this UCLA team, top-ranked Texas should have no trouble.

Game 5: Oklahoma Rivalry, The Annual Hurdle

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 17: Running back Chris Brown #29 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the ball past Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl on October 17, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Sooners are another top-10 team that will contend for the BCS title.  Last year they suffered from injury setbacks and endured a four-loss season.

Now they they're healthier and conceivably better than last year's Sooners squad.  This is a tough annual battle.  Texas can easily lose to this Oklahoma team. 

A loss here would make it tough to repeat as the leader of the Big 12 South division which they need to win to come out with a Big 12 title.

Game 6: Texas Seeks Nebraska Revenge

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 30: Linebackers Coach Mike Ekeler of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers looks on from the sideline during the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl against University of Arizona Wildcats on December 30, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego,

Nebraska is still stewing from their 13-12 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Championship game.

Though both teams are not necessarily better than last season's versions, this game will inevitably be close again.

Gone is Ndamukong Suh from the Cornhuskers defense and Colt McCoy is no longer at quarterback. However, expect new players to rise.

It could be time for some Nebraska payback and Longhorns need to be prepared.

Game 7: Iowa State Not Expected to Be a Problem

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 31: (L-R) Reggie Stephens #73, head coach Paul Rhoads, Sedrick Johnson #2 and Nate Frere #62 of the Iowa State Cyclones stand with teammates as they prepare to take the field before the Insight Bowl against the Minnesota Golden Gophe

After back-to-back games against powerhouses Oklahoma and Nebraska, the Longhorns can consider this game a relief.

Iowa State had 6 losses in the 2009 season with 5 of those losses coming against Big 12 teams.

There should be no problem for the Longhorns in this battle.

Game 8: Baylor Offense May Not BE Enough

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WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Nick Florence #11 of the Baylor Bears drops back to pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns on November 14, 2009 at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, Texas. The Longhorns beat the Bears 47-14. (Photo by Tom

Last season Texas defeated Baylor 47-14 in an away game.

This time around the Longhorns will play the role of the host.  Baylor will be visiting the confines of Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

And the results should be similar. Texas wins this game with another lopsided score.

Game 9: Horns Look Past Kansas State

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Carson Coffman #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats has a huddle with his teammates in the third quater against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on September 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. UCLA defeated Kansas Stat

The Kansas State Wildcats finished last season 6-6. They haven't been much of a Big 12 threat since the first half of the decade.

Although they were able to dispatch the UCLA Bruins in their opening game match, the Wildcats are not good enough to beat the Longhorns.

Game 10: Oklahoma State An Uphill Battle

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STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 31: Cody Johnson #31 of the Texas Longhorns rushes for five yards short of the endzone and is stopped by Donald Booker #44 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the fourth quaretr of the game at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 31, 20

Oklahoma State could be the most problematic of the remaining three teams the Longhorns face in their schedule.

They were 6-2 against Big 12 competition and 9-4 overall.

A win won't come easily but the Longhorns are still the favorites in this matchup.

Game 11: Florida Atlantic Offers Little Threat to Longhorns

The Owls went 5-7 in the Sun Belt Conference last year.

This is an incredibly easy matchup for the Longhorns.

Their plan should be to take an early lead so they can rest their starters for the tougher matchups ahead.

Game 12: Texas A&M Thanksgiving Bowl

Texas A&M had 7 losses last season and two of those losses came from top-25 teams.

And they lost to the Longhorns in a high scoring game 49-39.

It's hard to count the Aggies out of this game because of the big Texas rivalry in play.  But Texas has traditionally dominated this duel. 

Game 13: Big 12 Championship Up For Grabs In This One

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert #3 of the Texas Longhorns drops back to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Je

Chances are if the Longhorns make it to this game they will likely face top-ranked Nebraska for the Big 12 Title.

Last year's match between Nebraska and Texas was the closest game in Big 12 title game history.

Therefore more excitement can be expected from this rematch.

The key to this win and this matchup is Garrett Gilbert. If he shows poise and maturity down the stretch, the Longhorns will have another successful quarterback at their hands.

Otherwise, they might have to consider handing their team to the younger McCoy.

Game 14: BCS Championship at Stake For Longhorns

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Garrett Gilbert #3 of the Texas Longhorns under center against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen

The Longhorns can get here if they put their trust in Garrett Gilbert.

If they come away against Oklahoma and Nebraska with only one loss, they could return to the national title game.

With two losses they stand an outside chance of making it.

Who will they face?

It could be Boise State who has a great chance of winning out their easy schedule.

The Crimson Tide could be here as well. But when was the last time a team ranked no. 1 in the preseason been able to actually finish the year still number one?

Florida?  They were atrocious in their home opener.

So, Texas vs. Boise State.  It can happen.

Ohio State vs. Texas may be more suitable for those who still believe that a non-BCS does not belong in a national championship game.