Mack Brown recalls seeing USC as 'the team of the century' before iconic Rose Bowl

Mack Brown knew that USC was going to be the challenge of his career when Texas faced the Trojans in the 2006 Rose Bowl. In what is considered one of the greatest college football games of all-time, Texas came out on top in that year’s national championship.

But Brown knew what USC brought to the table. Two national championships already under their belt, Pete Carroll and crew wanted a third.

But Brown already dubbed them “the team of the century.” Yes, even today we’re only a quarter of the way through the 21st set of 100 years, but Brown knew it right away.

“They were the team of the century,” Brown said on The Triple Option. “They’d won 36 games, I think they’d won two national championships, and just dominated everybody. So it was fun to watch them. And what a great challenge. Coaches love challenges. You don’t like those games where it’s boring and nobody cares, and if you win it, it’s unimportant, and if you lose it, you get fired.

“Those are the tough games for coaches. But when you can look up to a USC with two Heisman Trophy winners, it’s really cool. And I knew we were good. So we weren’t scared. I knew we had a chance to be really, really good. I thought it would be the game that it was.”

No. 2 Texas beat No. 1 USC 41-38 by virtue of a game-winning touchdown run by Longhorns’ QB Vince Young. Young finished the game 30-of-40 for 267 yards, as well as 19 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

The Heisman Trophy winners on USC referred to by Brown were QB Matt Leinart and RB Reggie Bush. Leinart was 29-of-40 for 365 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Bush had 13 carries for 82 yards, one touchdown and six catches for 95 yards.

Texas led USC 16-10 at halftime but the Trojans eventually took the lead in the third quarter 24-23 and held a 38-26 lead with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter. That’s the makings of a great team, some thought it was over.

Brown and Texas battled back though, cutting the lead 38-33 with 4:03 left. Once they were able to get the ball back, Young’s game-winning touchdown crossed the goal line with 19 seconds remaining in the game.

It remains the biggest win of Brown’s Hall of Fame career. Fittingly, he and Texas beat the team that was on a pedestal by themselves for years.