Shoot, they don't even have to leave Interstate 35 except once - when they have to go battle the farmers.

Central Florida tomorrow in the friendly confines of DKR, followed by up the road to Waco and the Baylor Bears, then back down to Austin for Kansas, followed by that trip to Aggieland. Then, it's Dec. 5 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship.

There's a lot to be said for the absence of jet lag during a stretch run.

He has won 8 games in a row three times - this season, last season and 2006.

Just thought I'd mention that as the Horns try valiantly to take Central Florida seriously.

One other interesting fact you'll find buried in the "Game at a Glance" from the Associated Press below is that the Knights practice with jet noise to try to simulate big away crowds.

I don't think a jet engine and the noise of 100,000 people clad in burnt orange at DKR can be compared.

But, it brings up this point: the crowd will have to take the game seriously as well.

GAME AT-A-GLANCE

Line: Texas by 36. Series Record: Texas leads 1-0. Last meeting: 2007, Texas 35-32.

What's at Stake

It's all about the BCS and poll position, and the Longhorns don't want to look sloppy after two dominant road wins. This game was supposed to be played in mid-September and Central Florida was supposed to be a tuneup for Big 12 play. The game got moved so Texas could play Texas Tech on national TV.

Key Matchup

Texas safety Earl Thomas vs. Central Florida QB Brett Hodges. Thomas is on a tear with a team-high six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. Hodges has thrown seven picks to go with his 10 touchdowns and is completing less than 60 percent of his passes.

Players to Watch

Texas: QB Colt McCoy. Seems obvious, but McCoy has done well since his rough outing against Oklahoma. He's got one month to keep it going to remain a Heisman favorite and will be up against a Central Florida defense that sacked Miami's Jacory Harris six times.

Central Florida: RB Brynn Harvey. UCF's leading rusher ran for 212 yards against Memphis but will butt heads Saturday with the nation's top-ranked rush defense. The Longhorns have allowed just two rushing TDs all season.

Facts & Figures

Texas has scored nine non-offensive touchdowns this season with six on kick returns or blocks and three interception returns. ... McCoy is 40-7 as a starter, with a 21-3 mark at home. ... Central Florida practices with jet noise to simulate the sound of playing in front of large crowds. Texas has had more than 101,000 fans at each of its four previous home games this season.

He's a good one, and so is the Knights' defense. I don't think either is good enough to give the Horns a run for their money like two years ago, though.

Remember, crossing time zones to play in an opponent's "house" is tough on anyone.

Here's what Colt McCoy in Monday's press conference had to say about the upcoming game :

On the 2007 game at Central Florida: I remember there were some rain delays. They were a good football team, and I watched them play last night. They've got some really good players on defense. Their defensive line is really good. We've got to be prepared for them. I just remember we didn't finish it like we wanted to. We got up a little bit and never put it away. We just let them hang around and hang around. We had to make some plays at the end to actually win the game. We definitely will watch a little bit film with week, they still have some of the same coaches, and go back to work. That's key for us. All we talked about in our team meeting was staying focused, getting back to work and getting better.

On focusing on Central Florida: I think there are a couple things. One, I think the seniors on our team this year are really focused and are really making sure that the younger guys and guys on the team play at a high level and get us to a Big 12 Championship. That's our goal. That's where we want to be. It's one at a time. Central Florida has nothing to do with the Big 12, but it's a big game for us. It's here. We're back home, and want to play the best that we can, and we want to get better. When you look at the (Oklahoma State) film, yeah, we played well, executed and did some good things, but there are still things that we can be better at. We can play better, move the ball better. We've got to get back to work and play better this week.

On if it is hard not thinking ahead: I think it is hard for y'all not to think about it. For us, we understand that there is a lot of football left to play. We are through the first two parts of our season. I don't know if Coach Brown told you the first four and second four, and we have four more now, and it's the most important part now. We've got to finish, and it just one more step to that.

Same thing I was - watching the University of Central Florida host Marshall on ESPN.
I wonder if he turned it off when I did, thinking Marshall had that game won with less than 2 minutes left.

The Knights rallied for a 21-20 victory. I can't believe it. Well, that's the good news for them.

The bad news is they probably didn't get in bed until 2 a.m. this morning and have to be on the field again at 11 a.m. in Austin on Saturday to play the No. 2 team in the nation.

UCF gave the Horns a bit of a tussle in Orlando back in 2007, before the Burnt Orange prevailed 35-32.

Colt threw 47 times that day, second most of his career (47 this year against Wyoming and 58 against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl win last season).

Halloween may be over, but it's still time to don one more mask (even against UCF) - that all-important game day mask.

Those not of the Burnt Orange persuasion have mentioned a bunch for Texas: it's a road game; the Horns are due for a "let-down;" Zac Robinson is playing for his grandfather; the Cowboys are tired of losing (11 in a row!) to UT and have revenge on their minds; for the first time ever OSU can almost seal the Big 12 South with a win; (and my favorite one) ... it's Halloween.

I have no doubt both Colt McCoy and Robinson are full of confidence and believe in themselves going into this game.

Colt's edge in skills could be neutralized to some degree by the home crowd-fueled frenzy of a Cowboy defense.

But not to the degree the Horns will lose, because this is a very capitalized (and bold-faced) BIG GAME ... and Colt always shines in those and is known as the "Comeback King" in many of them.

It's bigger than the OU game (he's 3-1 in those) or a bowl game (3-0) because it is now the first step to the promised land (Pasadena) and the Big Prize (a crystal football).

If the Texas defense shows up as well, it's a done deal for the visitors.

The only obstacle left will be getting out of Boone Pickens Stadium without being hit by candy corn.

Tim Tebow is also one of the 14 finalists, as well as Zavious Robbins from Hardin-Simmons University right here in Abilene.

This National Football Foundation award will be handed out in December. The winner gets $25,000 for "post-graduate studies." I'm thinking Colt's post-graduate pursuits will be in the NFL.

Colt was also named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, of course, for his outing against Missouri last weekend.

A win over the Cowboys on Halloween would no doubt be the catalyst for a host of other considerations for awards.

Speaking of McCoy and Tebow playing for the national championship ... HUH?

Well, speaking of Tebow, he apologized for not making himself available to the press after his less-than-shiny effort last week.

I like Colt's response when someone asked him about showing up for the media:

"If you play good or you don't, you've got to go talk to the media. You're the voice for all the fans, for everybody, to let them know what's going on. That's your job as a quarterback to do that."

Seriously, I hope those two QBs meet for all the marbles.

That means he's had 11 second-half rallies while at Texas.

The biggest "fast finish" was two years ago up in Stillwater.

If you recall, the Longhorns entered the fourth quarter trailing by 3 TDs (35-14).

To refresh your memory, here's what happened next:

11:40 - UT: Charles, Jamaal 18 yd run (Bailey, Ryan kick)
07:30 - UT: Charles, Jamaal 75 yd run (Bailey, Ryan kick)
03:22 - UT: McGee, Vondrell 1 yd run (Bailey, Ryan kick)
00:00 - UT: Bailey, Ryan 40 yd field goal
Final Score: UT 38, OSU 35

At first glance, that doesn't have much of a Colt flavor to it, but he completed a couple of key passes in the fourth quarter and rushed for a lot of his more than 100 net yards.

Here's a key stat that might help the Horns remember the "fast start" phrase.

The OSU Cowboys have averaged 6.4 points in the first quarter this season, while UT's number is 10 - helped immensely by last week's Missouri game.

The Cowboys have also given up an average of less than 3 points in the first quarter, while the Horns' "D" has limited opponents to a 3.7 average.

Not sure who's going to race out to the fastest start Saturday, but we do know how much Colt likes to finish in style.

Oops, I mentioned it.

Well, back to this week. Colt had a lot to say at the press conference Monday. Below are the comments that have relevance for the game up in Stillwater.

On playing Oklahoma State: The past three years that we have played Oklahoma State have been really good games. They are a really good football team, and we're expecting them to be good this year. They are well coached. They have a lot of good athletes. You've got to factor in that we are going to their place at night, so we have to be prepared and ready.

On this year compared to this time last year: It's the same situation as we were in last year going up to Lubbock. We have to learn from that. Coach Brown challenged us in the team meeting. We are in the same position. Everything is working out where all our goals can still be accomplished if we just take care of business this weekend.

On how the crowd affected the game: There was a sellout crowd. It was a hostile environment, but we were able to execute and play efficient on all three phases of the game. Offense, defense, and special teams really came out in the first half and played lights out and that really took their crowd out of it.

On Zac Robinson: I know Zac is a good guy. He is a great quarterback, and he runs his offense really well, so it is a huge game. For us, it is a big game, too. It is the biggest game of the year. This week compared to last year is very similar. We definitely have to be ready. It is a conference game. What more motivation do you need to know that this a big game for us? I think it means a lot to both teams.

On different confidence on the road and proving yourself mentality: I like both. I really like going on the road and playing well and going as a team. When you're on the road, it's just us. That's all we've got. We lean on each other. When you are here, you can get the crowd into it. You have support. I think this a tough place to play for opposing teams, but at the same time, you have to take care of business in both situations.

On Oklahoma State's defense: I think they have really good players at different positions. They have a really good corner. They have a really good linebacker. Their defensive ends are really good pass rushers, so one thing I can take away from what I have studied so far is that they are well coached. They are going to be in the right places at the right time. They disguise their blitzes. They'll bring it form a lot of depth. They might not get there, but at the same time they are trying to confuse you. You can't really see how good they really are on film because they are going to play like a different team when we are there. Their intensity is going to rise.

Not the last hurdle, of course, that stands between the Longhorns and Pasadena, but perhaps the biggest.

And after what the Aggies did to Texas Tech (and how A&M almost beat Oklahoma State earlier), you can't exactly rule them out.

But first things first.

The Oklahoma State game will have a lot of pressure attached to it. A win there and that pressure subsides a bit for weeks until the aforementioned regular season finale with the farmers.

The Horns and the Cowboys are a lot alike. And OSU would be even more like UT if not for some fortuitous bounces of the ball for Houston - meaning OSU should be undefeated as well. Offensively, they are almost the same - OSU averages 38.4 points and UT's number is 41.8.
The Burnt Orange defense is a little better in averages, only allowing 13.5 per game, while OSU is giving up 18.5.

And, of course, the two teams have great quarterbacks.

Colt McCoy holds the edge in numbers with a better completion percentage (71.6% to 65%), total yardage (1,806 to 1,547) and TD passes (14 to 12) than Zac Robinson, but the Cowboy hurler has fewer picks (3 to Colt's 8). Plus I have a feeling he's getting a little tired of always being second banana in the publicity surrounding this game.

Texas is better than Oklahoma State, but the better team doesn't always win in college football. The home field is a big advantage. Just see last year's Tech game or the 2007 Aggie game for reference.

The Halloween night game is considered a little scary for the Burnt Orange faithful, but I have a suggestion for the team for it to turn out "treatish" instead of a "trickish."

Just treat it like the Oklahoma game.

That's some big-time pressure as well, for which Colt and other Longhorns seem to answer the call. And this season, the OSU game is actually bigger than the OU one.

So, just pretend they're the Sooners and keep repeating the mantra "we control our own destiny."

Early prediction: UT 33, OSU 17.

Ruminations on OSU to come later. ;-)

Three possessions and three TDs. Just what the doctor ordered.

Colt McCoy was doing all the operating, and he was a man possessed. He never saw the fourth quarter, but he didn't need to.

With a 26-of-31 effort for 269 yards and three TDs and only one pick in the first three quarters, he earned a slow finish standing on the sideline watching his team finish off a 41-7 victory.

Now if the "fast start" muscle memory will just stick with the Longhorns for another week until after the Oklahoma State game.

"Experts" probably pegged that one as their "upset special" weeks ago.

And to be sure, Stillwater is a tougher crowd than Columbia, and the Cowboys a much tougher team than the Tigers.

But the key phrase - "control their own destiny" - hasn't lost any of its meaning.

In Brownwood, two old friends and their teams met Friday night.

Graham, coached by Brad McCoy (Unowho's dad), was undefeated and going to play the Lions who are coached by Bob Shipley (Unowho's dad).

As you recall, the two were roommates at Abilene Christian University, as are their sons all these years later down in Austin.

I wasn't there, but I hear the game was a doozy, decided by a blocked PAT with 2 seconds left in the contest.

Shipley's Brownwood crew beat McCoy's Steers, 28-27, putting unowho's team (that's my No. 3 Abilene Wylie team) in sole possession of first place in District 2-3A.

The two might be sharing transportation to the Mizzou game to see their sons play.

Hmm. I wonder what some topics of conversation might be.

And if you believe that, I have some swampland in Tuscola to sell you.

In case you missed it, Colt McCoy's coach has said they are "tinkering" with the O-line, shuffling wide receivers, wanting to use the tight end more and have Colt rely on his legs more.

Of course, Missouri has spent a lot of time going over the OU game film to figure out how to limit Colt and the UT offense. A bad cold and a bum thumb might have had a little something to do with that last Saturday, not just the OU defense, but don't tell Mizzou.

But Brown isn't telling the Tigers anything they don't already know. They saw what worked for the Longhorns and what didn't. Colt was effective the few times he ran against the Sooners. They saw that. They were already looking for it.

I think Mack is just wanting Missouri to concentrate on something other than taking Colt's go-to guy (Shipley) out of the mix.

Of course, Missouri probably knows that's what Mack's up to, and Mack knows they know, and they know Mack knows they know (ad infinitum).

So, what does it boil down to?

I'm going to say a sweet 28-10 Longhorn road victory.

Not sure if that is the best for Colt McCoy's bruised thumb, but it bodes well for the offensive line, which won't have to huff and puff around in the heat. And really, anything that's good for the offensive line is good for Colt.

A quick start is essential this time. Mizzou has too many players just waiting for an opportune moment. UT's mojo's gotta kick in fast.

It doesn't make any difference that Mizzou hasn't beaten anyone "good," the last two games they stayed in there against Nebraska and Oklahoma State for a while.

Here's the game-at-a-glance from the Associated Press:

No. 3 Texas (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Missouri (4-2, 0-2), 7 p.m. Saturday CDT (ABC)

Line: Texas by 13½

Series Record: Texas leads 16-5 and has won 6 of 7 since beginning Big 12 play in 1996

Last Meeting: 2008, Texas won 56-31.

What's at Stake

Texas is 6-0 for a second straight season and chasing a national title again. Texas is 30-4 vs. Big 12 North since 1998. Missouri is two-time defending champion in Big 12 North but coming off consecutive defeats to start conference play headed into homecoming game. Tigers were shut out in second half of 33-17 loss at Oklahoma State last week, dragged down by four turnovers.

Key Matchup

Missouri offense vs. Texas defense: Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert was hobbled by a sprained ankle the last two weeks and Tigers have faltered in both games. Missouri had 393 yards total offense against Oklahoma State, but only 80 in the second half.

Players to Watch

Texas: QB Colt McCoy cleared to play Monday despite bruised right thumb that will likely lose nail. D.J. Monroe leads nation with 42.7-yard kickoff return average. S Earl Thomas leads nation with five interceptions.

Missouri: WR Danario Alexander coming off career-best nine receptions for 180 yards.

Facts and Figures

Missouri coach Gary Pinkel is 0-4 against Texas while Longhorns' Mack Brown is 5-0 against Missouri. ... Missouri's lone victory over Longhorns in Big 12 play was 37-29 on homecoming in 1997. ...Texas won last meeting in Columbia, Mo., 51-20, on Oct. 1, 2005. ... Texas has won at least four straight games following Red River Rivalry game vs. Oklahoma in nine of last 10 years.

It was Colt McCoy's first time to face the Tigers. He ran for 2 TDs and tossed 2 more. The Longhorns built up a 25-3 halftime advantage before Mizzou started making it interesting. The final score was 56-31, and it was a very entertaining game.

Look for it to be even more entertaining up in Columbia, one of the nation's great college towns.

Here are some comments from Colt from the press conference earlier in the week:

On improving for the next week: We just have to play more completely. The defense is playing lights out. You know when your defense gets you turnovers and a short field; you have to take advantage of them. We have to do that. We have to play more complete. Obviously our running game came along, but it had to because they took completely everything away in the passing game, so our running came along. But we can be better. There are so many ways and so many areas that we can be better in and just keep plugging along.

On being sick and compared to this week: Just frustrating. I was just really frustrated. I had the flu against Texas Tech, probably our biggest game prior to this one, and then Wednesday night, I just started feeling bad again. It is just frustrating. Maybe I got all that bad stuff out of the way; I need good luck after this. It's okay.

On third in the BCS: It doesn't really matter to me.We don't care about that. We care about beating Missouri this week. Other than that, it doesn't matter.