Ash’s viability as starter at stake

Mack

Brown’s greatest triumphs have come with great quarterbacks.

That’s why it’s perfectly reasonable to say Texas will never return to real national prominence until he finds another guy he can accompany to the Big Apple for that special December announcement.

Quite simply, Mack’s greatest teams (2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009) had a singular talent behind center. With Heisman Trophy finalists Vince Young and Colt McCoy, the Horns were rarely out of a football game. With Young’s and McCoy’s combined record of 75-10 as starters, including a 3-1 record in BCS games, Texas enjoyed sustained brilliance at the position for the better part of five seasons.

Those were the good old days in Austin. These are ... well, these are just days.

The 42-24 loss in the regular-season finale at Kansas State underscored the program’s desperate need for a difference maker at college football’s most important position.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t win with a regular Joe behind center — Alabama and LSU have captured national titles with game managers — but Mack’s top teams haven’t done that. He had superstars at quarterback in the salad days. He needs one now.

When the Horns have strug-

Dec. 29, 5:45 p.m., ESPN, 1300, 98.1