Texas, Cal to finally settle it on the field

In 2004, Texas and California found themselves in similar positions. Each was 10-1 with a shot at a potential program-building BCS game. Texas coach Mack Brown lobbied for the Longhorns to get the spot, while California coach Jeff Tedford largely stayed silent. And so the Longhorns hopped the Golden Bears in the BCS standings, a decision that seemed to affect both programs. The Longhorns went on to win the 2005 Rose Bowl, which in turn propelled Texas to its BCS National Championship season that next year. Cal went to the 2004 Holiday Bowl, dropped to eight wins in 2005 and went to that year's Las Vegas Bowl. The Bears never went to a BCS game, while the Longhorns went to BCS bowls four times. Wednesday, the two teams will meet for the first time since the controversial selection, and this time, play on the field could determine the programs' momentum moving forward. Both have young, exciting pieces offensively. Texas has running backs Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron and receiver Jaxon Shipley. California has quarterback Zach Maynard, running back Isi Sofele and receiver Keenan Allen. All of those players will return next year. All of which makes for interesting theater. The two teams have identical 7-5 records, including 4-5 in conference play. Both have long-term successful coaches in Mack Brown and Jeff Tedford both trying to recapture lost magic. Texas scored 28.7 points per game and allowed 23.2 points per game. Cal scored about one point per game more (29.8) and allowed about one point per game more (24.4). But there are differences as well. California enters the game with some positive momentum, winning three of four and giving Stanford a scare in the other game, dropping the contest by just three points. Their last time on the field, Sofele rushed for 145 yards and a score, Maynard completed 20-of-27 passes for another score and California beat Arizona State 47-38 at Sun Devil Stadium. Texas, meanwhile, is fresh off a 48-24 bludgeoning at Baylor, with Bear quarterback Robert Griffin III clinching the Heisman Trophy by roasting the previously top-10 rated Longhorn defense. Texas started off the season 6-2 before the Longhorns collapsed down the stretch, dropping three of four. Injuries certainly played a part in that, with the Longhorns' top four offensive weapons Brown, Bergeron, Shipley and running back Fozzy Whittaker all mission time. When combined with an unstable quarterback situation, the Longhorns scored an average of 17.3 points per game over those final four contests, after averaging 47.5 points with all four players healthy in the previous two games. All but Whittaker are expected to play in Wednesday's contest, which kicks off at 7 p.m. CEN. And while the seniors on both sides will be playing to end their careers on winning notes, the contest will have a bigger impact on those with eligibility remaining. While the 2011 Holiday Bowl doesn't have the same immediate impact as the political maneuvering in 2004 did either going to a BCS bowl or not the game could be nearly as important for each team, and coach, for 2012. Win, and the eighth victory could be a jumping off point for a strong 2012. Lose, and it makes for a long offseason of questioning before getting a chance at redemption. Either way, the Bridgeport Education Holiday Bowl should be long on effort, and longer still on future significance.