Vince Young's supporting cast needs an introduction

	Michael Huff (7) and the 'Horns' defense forced the Raiders' Cody Hodges into a multitude of mistakes on Saturday. AP

AUSTIN, Texas -- By now, you're familiar with Texas quarterback Vince Young. But it may behoove you, dear college football fans of America, to get acquainted with some of the other men of burnt orange.

Billy Pittman. Michael Huff. Aaron Harris. Selvin Young. Michael Griffin. Ramonce Taylor.

Following the second-ranked Longhorns' 52-17 beat-down of previously undefeated Texas Tech here Saturday, it's becoming increasingly apparent you'll be watching these guys in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 4. If and when that happens -- and with a remaining regular-season schedule of Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas and Texas A&M, when is looking more and more certain every week -- the aforementioned players will have as much to do with the Longhorns' national-title appearance as their more celebrated teammate.

"Vince is not on defense," said Griffin, the Texas safety who blocked a punt, forced and recovered a fumble, and was part of a defense that held Texas Tech 37 points below its season scoring average. "I would think people would see we held Tech to 17 points and say, 'Hey, they must have a defense.'"

That, and a whole lot of offensive weapons to complement their star quarterback.

Just as Matt Leinart wouldn't be Matt Leinart without Reggie Bush, Dwayne Jarrett, Dominique Byrd, etc., Young would not have Texas on course for its most memorable season in 36 years without a stout supporting cast. Together, they exhibited a brand of big-play, quick-strike explosiveness against the Red Raiders on Saturday unparalleled this side of La-La land.

Midway through the second quarter at Royal-Memorial Stadium, the outcome of Saturday's game was still very much undecided, partially because Young, whose passing ability had improved by leaps and bounds through the season's first six games, briefly regressed, throwing two ugly first-quarter interceptions before finishing the day a modest 12-of-22 for 239 yards. Texas led 17-10 with 6:59 left in the first half, but Texas Tech, behind its relentless aerial attack, had a fourth-and-5 at the Longhorns' 35-yard line. Most of the 83,919 spectators surely figured notoriously fearless Raiders coach Mike Leach would go for it.

Instead, he took a delay-of-game penalty and attempted to punt, only to have punter Alex Reyes mishandle the snap, and Texas' Griffin come charging through for the block. By the 13:42 mark of the third quarter -- just nine offensive plays and 2:18 of offensive possession later -- the Longhorns, running a no-huddle offense, had scored three touchdowns to pull away 38-10. It was the kind of barrage one usually sees out of top-ranked USC, but Mack Brown's team is now capable of the same thing, thanks to an emerging group of previously unheralded playmakers.

"At any given point, we can break off 75 yards," said Taylor, a running back-turned-wideout who caught five passes for 66 yards Saturday. "So you just have to watch out."

No one exemplifies both the Longhorns' big-play capability -- and their unlikely sources of it -- than Taylor's close friend and fellow receiver Pittman. A year ago this time, the then-redshirt-freshman was ready to quit football altogether following a series of misfortunes that included a shoulder injury and a scary, month-long bout with Bell's Palsy that left half his face paralyzed. "I quit coming to the games, I quit suiting up. I could barely watch," he said.

Prior to Texas' Sept. 10 win over Ohio State, the Cameron, Texas, native hadn't caught a single collegiate pass; now, he's the Longhorns' big-play receiver. On the second play following the aforementioned block punt, the speedy Pittman chased down a Young pass in the back of the end zone to put UT up 24-10. Shortly thereafter, when Young led him a tad too far on a deep ball, Pittman cradled it into his body with one hand and took off 48 yards to set up another score. Later, he broke free for a 75-yard touchdown catch that capped off Texas' 21-point onslaught. He had just three catches -- for 138 yards and two touchdowns.