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Brown is a grandfatherly leader, reminiscent of his college coach, Bobby Bowden. But he hasn’t been so tender when it comes to using the memory of last season, when they were not just one game or one play from reaching their goals, but 1 second away.

Had the Longhorns kept Texas Tech from scoring on the final play, they would have been in the Big 12 championship game, playing for a spot in the national championship game. Instead, the loss left them in a three-way tie for first place in the South Division. Oklahoma — a team Texas beat 45-35 on a neutral field — went to the conference championship, then played for the national title.

How often has Brown reminded them?

“Eight times a day,” he said, smiling.

Other than Oklahoma, Texas has scored at least 34 points a game. The defense hadn’t given up more than 24 points until beating Texas A&M.

“We’re 12-0 and haven’t played our best game,” Brown said. “We’ve been doing it for halves. We’ve still not been good for an entire ballgame. That’s what I’m excited about.”

Texas has won three straight against Nebraska and six of seven in the Big 12 era, starting with the ’96 title game. South teams have won five straight Big 12 championship games and they haven’t been close; the cumulative score: South 233, North 51.

The Longhorns should have the fans on their side.

A sellout crowd of more than 80,000 is expected at Cowboys Stadium. Considering the location, most are likely to be wearing burnt orange.

“We got into the game a week before Nebraska did,” Brown said, “so I’m hoping our fans were able to buy a lot more tickets than theirs.”

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