Austin, Texas ? In high school, Vince Young and Reggie McNeal were two of the best quarterbacks in the country, tracking each other on a collision course in the 2001 Texas state playoffs.

Two years later, they are on a similar paths again, stalking each other in a much bigger arena. Young is now the starting quarterback at No. 6 Texas while McNeal leads Texas A&M.

The rivals meet Friday in College Station with the Bowl Championship Series and state pride at stake.

The Longhorns (9-2, 6-1 Big 12) are in position to secure their first BCS bid with a victory. The Aggies (4-7, 2-5) need a win to salvage a disappointing season under first-year head coach Dennis Franchione.

With their ability to run and pass, Young and McNeal were two players everybody recruited two years ago as college coaches dreamed of signing another Michael Vick.

McNeal was a Parade Magazine All-American at Lufkin. Young was Parade’s offensive player of the year at Houston Madison. McNeal was all-state. Young was the Texas Class 5A player of the year.

“We thought they were both great players,” said Texas coach Mack Brown.

McNeal cut short the recruiting blitz by committing to A&M and former coach R.C. Slocum in the summer of 2001. Young kept Texas waiting until after the season.

The two have never met on the field. Young’s team lost in the state semifinals to the Austin Westlake team McNeal beat for the championship.

As freshmen, Young redshirted while McNeal led the Aggies to a stunning win over No. 1 Oklahoma with four touchdown passes.

McNeal’s sophomore season hasn’t lived up to the excitement of 2002. The Aggies are mired in their first losing season since 1982. McNeal was benched in the second half against Missouri.

Young’s star is rising at Texas. After starting the season as the backup to Chance Mock, he took over the offense for good after a 65-13 loss to Oklahoma and has led the Longhorns to five straight wins.

Young’s breakout performance came in a 24-20 win over Kansas State. His fourth-quarter touchdown run on 4th-and-1 capped the game-winning drive.

“He’s a gazelle,” said Sooners defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek. “He glides across the field. He’s so smooth, he doesn’t even look like he’s running.”