Longhorns Ranked 19th in Early Preseason ESPN Poll

ESPN and Mark Schlabach have released the third rendition of the network’s Preseason Top 25 and Texas has moved up to #19 in the poll, up three spots since the rankings were last released.Â As always we have our own opinion but here is what Schlaback had to say about Texas:

Longhorns snag former Rutgers CB Bo Mascoe from Portal

Texas adds former Michigan State TE Michael Masunas from Transfer Portal

Is Texas finally headed back to national prominence? The Longhorns fixed their problems on defense last season, as first-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz guided one of the most-improved units in the country. But Texas still has plenty of problems on offense. Quarterbacks Case McCoy and David Ash are still competing for the starting job, a battle that will probably stretch far into preseason camp. Tailbacks Joe Bergeron and Malcolm Brown need to stay health for the offense to click. The Longhorns got a break from the Big 12 schedule-makers, as many of their really difficult conference games (West Virginia, Baylor and TCU) will be played at home.

First things first.Â Would we be happy with a #19 ranking if the season started tomorrow?Â Absolutely. Given the uncertainty at quarterback a #19 ranking seems to be fair enough.Â Schlabach’s assessment of the defense is fair also, but I would go so far as to say that Texas will have one of the best defenses in the country next season.Â Hype?Â No, truth.Â Â The Longhorns finished the 2011 season hovering around the 25th spot in most of the postseason polls (#24 in the BCS, 30th in the AP and 28th in the Coaches Poll).Â Even with the potential issues at quarterback , both David Ash and Case McCoy are a year older and a year “stronger.”Â The running game is destined to be a force on the national level and Texas does have a schedule that plays in its favor.

Get your ice chests out and buy your propane because the college football season is near!Â Hook’em!