Richer Mack, Older Mccoy Lead No. 4 Texas Against Arkansas State

Friday, August 31st 2007, 2:27 pm

By: News On 6

AUSTIN (AP) _ Mack Brown already knows he's getting $100,000 on Saturday. It's a tidy little bonus written into a new contract approved this week just as he starts his 10th season at Texas.

The money's nice, but considering the millions he already makes and the $3 million in bonuses the new deal gives him for just sticking around until 2010, his bigger concern right now is his team.

Such as how his new offensive line will perform in Saturday night's season opener against Arkansas State.

And how his rebuilt defensive secondary will stop the pass, something Texas couldn't do last season.

The Longhorns enter the season ranked No. 4 but still have plenty of kinks to work out if quarterback Colt McCoy and company plan to make a run for a second national championship in three years.

If Texas can find a way to get to the Bowl Championship Series title game in January, Brown may earn himself yet another restructured contract and a few more millions, rendering that cozy little $100,000 no more than chump change.

But the BCS is just like the Texas Lottery: You gotta be in it to win it. So first things first.

The season opener, even against an overmatched opponent, ``sets the tone and sets the standard for the whole year,'' said McCoy, who tied an NCAA freshman record with 29 touchdown passes last season.

``There is still this element of unknown because we're still not sure about those positions,'' Brown said. ``Until you get them out on the field against somebody else, you are never really sure how people will respond or react.''

Texas' two biggest problems last season _ lack of a productive running game and disastrous pass defense _ killed the Longhorns' chances to repeat as Big 12 champions as they finished 10-3.

McCoy played behind a veteran line last season. The line will have three new starters Saturday night, although talent could offset inexperience.

``I think we started gaining chemistry and momentum in the spring,'' said senior left tackle Tony Hills, one of the returning starters. ``Guys had to learn to play with one another.''

Another trouble spot has been at receiver, not because of a lack of talent but because of too many injuries in the preseason.

All of McCoy's top pass catchers are back from last season, but Billy Pittman (shoulder) is out and Jordan Shipley (hamstring) likely won't play Saturday. Limas Sweed, who caught a school-record 12 TDs last season, is just now coming back after spraining his left wrist.

``I can fall on it, land on it, I can catch with it,'' Sweed said. ``I feel very good.''

Texas has just as many questions about the defense, which ranked among the best in the country against the run last season but gave up huge chunks of yards passing and nearly two dozen touchdowns.

Duane Akina, who has tutored the defensive backs, including the last two Thorpe Award winners, is now calling the plays as co-defensive coordinator. He had to rebuild the secondary with three new starters and a defensive line that lost its two best rush ends.

Akina, who has been on the Texas staff since 2001, earned Brown's trust to run the defense with an aggressive game plan in last season's Alamo Bowl win over Iowa.

``I really am as excited about Saturday as I have ever been,'' Brown said. ``It is like we have never won a game before and now it is starting over.''