By Jimmy Burch
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Texas quarterback Major Applewhite remains on a diet of bread and liquids, but said yesterday there is "no doubt" he will be in the lineup for Saturday's Big 12 championship game against Nebraska.

Applewhite played only the fourth quarter of last week's 20-16 loss to Texas A&M because of a stomach virus. He experienced dizziness and nausea during the game, symptoms that disappeared in time for Applewhite to join teammates in Sunday conditioning drills.

Applewhite will practice today for the first time since Friday's game. He said he lost 7 pounds during the illness.

"Physically, I'm fine," Applewhite said. "My head is clear and my health is back."

Familiar role

Texas players, for the most part, smiled or shook their heads yesterday when asked about being 8-point underdogs to Nebraska. The Longhorns are 3-0 against the Cornhuskers since the advent of the Big 12, winning each time as decisive underdogs.

"That fires you up," defensive end Cedric Woodard said. "People don't respect us, but we'll still be Big 12 champs if we win this game."

Asked how many consecutive victories the Longhorns would need in the series to qualify as favorites, Major Applewhite said: "Maybe 100. But we're not worried about that."

Too weird for words

Kwame Cavil, Texas' talkative wide receiver, found himself speechless when asked to assign any significance to a historical quirk about the Longhorns playing No. 3 Nebraska.

Texas has won its past six meetings against teams ranked third in The Associated Press poll, including two in a row against Nebraska (1999, 1996). Other No. 3 teams to fall included Houston (1990), Alabama (1981), Oklahoma (1979) and Arkansas (1978).

Texas' last loss to a third-ranked team came in 1965, when the top-ranked Longhorns fell to No. 3 Arkansas, 27-24.

"That's too weird for me," Cavil said, laughing. "But it's a cool stat. I guess they should be wishing they were No. 2 or No. 4."

Nebraska players endorse Hokies

Nebraska players and head coach Frank Solich yesterday gave their endorsement -- sort of -- to the likelihood Virginia Tech will play in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship as the second-ranked team in the Bowl Championship Series rankings.

"I feel that Virginia Tech deserves to play in the game because they've done everything they were supposed to -- they've won every game," rover Mike Brown said. "We're satisfied playing Texas for the Big 12 championship."

This view was echoed by I-back Dan Alexander, who said: "They've handled their business all season -- there's no reason why they `shouldn't' be going to the Sugar Bowl."

Solich was less enthusiastic about endorsing the Hokies, saying, "Well, they've gone through undefeated, and they certainly are a great team and should be congratulated. It's no small feat.

"But I think if you look at strength of schedule, they've played one team [currently] in the Top 25, and we've played several. I know that's mixed into the formula, but I don't know how it all weighs."

Asked how he will feel if his team avenges its only defeat, to Texas, and is unable to play for the national title, Solich said, "It's difficult to answer that question. You could make a case for either team, and whoever gets left out will be disappointed. But we all have to rely on some system, and the BCS is what we have in place. Until we find something better, I think everyone needs to get on board behind it.

"Of course, this will all be a moot point if we don't beat Texas."

-- Whit Canning