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GAME NOTES: The second-ranked Texas Longhorns get back to work following a week off, as they welcome the Colorado Buffaloes to Austin for a Big 12 showdown.

Mack Brown's Longhorns have certainly played like a national title contender this season, winning all four games by double digits, including a 64-7 blasting of UTEP last time out on September 26th. Texas is already 1-0 in league play with a 34-24 victory over Texas Tech and has its sights on a conference title and a shot at a BCS championship.

Dan Hawkins' Buffaloes are a disappointing 1-3 on the season, with the lone victory coming against Wyoming on September 19th (24-0). Colorado was unable to build on that however, with last Thursday's 35-24 setback at West Virginia.

This is the 18th meeting between these two teams, with Texas holding a 10-7 advantage thanks to wins in each of the last four matchups.

The Buffaloes have suffered from a lack of overall production from the ground game (93.8 ypg), while relying heavily on the pass (261.3 ypg). Veteran signal-caller Cody Hawkins has had his ups and downs in 2009, throwing for 1,045 yards thus far with seven TDs, but seven interceptions have been a problem.

Scotty McKnight has been the best option downfield, hauling in 29 balls, for 325 yards and three TDs. Riar Greer is a suitable second option with 20 receptions, for 208 yards and one score.

While the ground game is averaging a modest 93.8 ypg, there is talent in the form of tailbacks Rodney Stewart (4.6 ypc) and Darrell Scott (5.4 ypc).

Despite putting up almost 400 yards of total offense against West Virginia, the Buffs posed little threat. Hawkins passed for 292 yards and two TDs, but also had three picks. McKnight led all receivers with nine catches, for 98 yards and a score. Stewart toted the ball 21 times, for 105 yards and one TD.

Despite just modest numbers this season, Mack Brown is impressed with Hawkins' intangibles.

"Cody is a lot like Colt (McCoy). He is tough, he's smart, he makes good decisions, and you're not going to rattle him. Every time he gets knocked down, he jumps up before they get off the field and he is a very good football player. They are throwing the ball more this year than they did last year, and he's throwing it at a very high rate."

The offense was adequate in Morgantown last week, but the defense was gashed for 257 rushing yards, the main reason for the loss. The rush defense has been a problem all season long, with Colorado allowing a generous 201.5 ypg. The pass defense has been a bit better (207.3 ypg), but the Buffs haven't created a lot of turnovers, including just two interceptions.

Linebacker Jeff Smart is the top tackler on the team with 39 stops. He is followed by defensive back Cha'pelle Brown (30), who paces the team with three sacks. Linebackers Marcus Burton (two sacks) and B.J. Beatty (two sacks) have also made up for a lack of pass rush up front. Marquez Herrod is the only downlineman with a quarterback sack on the team.

Coach Hawkins knows the enormous task at hand in Texas and the problems that the Longhorns can cause.

"That's a long list, they're talented, they're well coached. They play hard; they've got great personnel. That's why they're one of the best teams in the country. Then they've got some guys who have been there a while and have been doing it. That's a tough combination, there's no doubt about it."

The Longhorns possess one of the top offenses in the country, leading the nation in scoring at 49.5 ppg. The team can move the ball both on the ground (207.2 ypg) and through the air (314.0 ypg) and happen to possess perhaps the Heisman favorite in signal-caller Colt McCoy.

McCoy has been sharp for the most part this season, completing 71 percent of his passes, for 1,145 yards and nine TDs. McCoy has an All-American candidate on the outside in Jordan Shipley, who has caught 36 balls in the first four games, for 436 yards and two TDs. Dan Buckner (23 receptions) has provided a reliable target as well and leads the team with four TD catches.

The ground game is devastating, but not because of one workhorse. Instead, the team utilizes a number of talented runners, including Vondrell McGee (6.4 ypc) and Tre' Newton (5.0 ypc). The two are combining for 111.8 ypg and have scored five touchdowns. Cody Johnson also factors into the mix and despite averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, the sophomore has scored five times.

Along with a prolific offense, Texas has a top-notch defense. The Longhorns are allowing a mere 259.5 yards of total offense per game and have been particularly stout against the run (47.2 ypg). In addition, big plays are the norm in Austin, with Texas recording 13 sacks and 12 takeaways in the first four games.

Up front, the team has budding stars in ends Sergio Kindle (13 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles) and Sam Acho (13 tackles, three sacks, four fumble recoveries) and tackle Lamarr Houston (16 tackles, one sack, 11 QBHs and two fumble recoveries). The linebacking corps is headlined by Roddrick Muckelroy (team-high 26 tackles( one sack).

The secondary is a real strength, led by the play of corners Curtis Brown (21 tackles, seven PBUs) and Aaron Williams (19 tackles, two forced fumbles) and safety Earl Thomas (16 tackles, three interceptions).

The Buffaloes have struggled stopping the run, so expect Texas to soften up the front seven early on before allowing McCoy to exploit Colorado down the field. The Longhorns should get up early and never look back.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas 43, Colorado 17