Longhorns seeking style points

As expected by those who closely follow -- and understand -- the Bowl Championship Series business, Texas fell from No. 2 to No. 3 after its 35-3 victory over Central Florida last week.

Alabama and Texas traded places atop the BCS ladder this week, but the Longhorns and senior quarterback Colt McCoy will still be playing for the national title in early January should they defeat Baylor, Kansas and Texas A&M to close the regular season and then take care of the Big 12 Conference North representative in the league championship game.

The Longhorns, laying 231/2 points at Baylor today, should be favored by at least 14 points in their last four games. So barring a major upset, Texas will be playing for the championship in Pasadena, Calif., for the second time in five years.

Under second-year coach Art Briles, Baylor clearly has not been the same team since losing do-everything sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin to an early-season knee injury.

In recent years, Texas has dominated this series, defeating the Bears by at least 21 points in each of the previous 10 seasons. The Longhorns have averaged 40.1 points in their 10-year rule.

Also, Baylor has covered only 10 of its past 35 games as a conference home underdog, and Texas coach Mack Brown might be looking for a few style points after dropping below Alabama in the BCS pecking order.

In Baylor's 40-32 road upset of Missouri last week, Bears freshman quarterback Nick Florence threw for three touchdowns and a school-record 427 yards.

When he runs into the Longhorns, it will not take long for the still-green Florence to figure out he's not in Columbia anymore. Lay the points, and take Texas to blow out Baylor.

Six more plays for today (home team in CAPS):

• BOISE STATE (-311/2) over Idaho -- Although nothing short of divine intervention will land the Broncos in the BCS title game, coach Chris Peterson is not shy about taking his Western Athletic Conference brethren behind the woodshed.

Boise State has covered nine of 14 games under Peterson when favored by 24 points or more. Furthermore, the Broncos have averaged 56 points in their past five games against Idaho.

• KANSAS STATE (+1) over Missouri -- These Big 12 teams are headed in opposite directions. The Tigers have covered one of their past seven conference games, while the Wildcats' ground game has been bolstered by Daniel Thomas, who has averaged 5.3 yards per carry while rushing for 1,087 yards.

Recycling coaches from the ranks of the retired rarely works in college football, but perhaps Kansas State's Bill Snyder will again be the exception.

• SOUTH CAROLINA (+171/2) over Florida -- The Gators' current offense should not be mentioned in the same breath with Florida's national championship juggernaut of one season ago which featured multi-talented Percy Harvin. For the most part, it's a steady diet of Tim Tebow left, Tim Tebow right, etc.

• NORTH CAROLINA (+3) over Miami -- Atlantic Coast Conference home 'dogs have been a good play against the spread over the past decade, and none has been stronger than North Carolina.

The Tar Heels are 10-4 ATS as a home 'dog since 2004, including a 5-2 ATS mark against ranked opponents in the same role. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, are in their least desirable role as away conference favorites, having covered just two of their past nine games since the start of the 2005 season.

• OKLAHOMA STATE (-4) over Texas Tech -- The home team has covered eight of the past 11 meetings. Also, the Red Raiders failed to cover once in their past seven attempts as a road 'dog between 31/2 and 10 points.

• Utah-TEXAS CHRISTIAN (Under 47) -- Utes true freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn will be making his second career college start in Fort Worth, and TCU's nasty, veteran defense should rattle the young signal caller. Horned Frogs defensive end Jerry Hughes is among the nation's sack leaders with nine.

Last week: 3-4 against the spread

Season: 22-33-1

Texas-based handicapper Paul Stone of Vegassportsauthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal this season.