What are your feelings about this year’s team?

[Chapalahorn]

I’ll start! I feel a lot like I did in 2005. I see dominance on both sides of the ball and leaders in Manning and Simmons who refuse to lose. I think our offense will be awesome and our defense aggressive and extremely hard to score on. The only way we can lose is if we self destruct with penalties and turnovers. This is the most excited I have been about a season since Vince!!!

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I’ll start! I feel a lot like I did in 2005. I see dominance on both sides of the ball and leaders in Manning and Simmons who refuse to lose. I think our offense will be awesome and our defense aggressive and extremely hard to score on. The only way we can lose is if we self destruct with penalties and turnovers. This is the most excited I have been about a season since Vince!!!

I agree. I think the 2005 was more experienced than this year's unit. This team has a better backfield, except for VY. Lots of comparables between the two teams, though we haven't seen this one play yet.

When we beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl the year before, I knew we'd be in the hunt for the national title the next year. We had a lot of talent.

I worry about that Ohio State game. Can we gel fast enough with so many new faces? But I feel much better about the game this year than I did last year.

In 2005, USC was really the only team that could compete with us. That is not the case in 2026. There are many.

 

[63_Texas_1]

This:
In 2005, USC was really the only team that could compete with us. That is not the case in 2026. There are many.

 

[Baron]

I’ll start! I feel a lot like I did in 2005. I see dominance on both sides of the ball and leaders in Manning and Simmons who refuse to lose. I think our offense will be awesome and our defense aggressive and extremely hard to score on. The only way we can lose is if we self destruct with penalties and turnovers. This is the most excited I have been about a season since Vince!!!

I felt like that before last year after all of the kool aid that was being pumped by the media got me drunk on potential. I'm trying to be more circumspect this year and that sucks, but it is a defense mechanism after last year.
That being said, this years team has potential again. The right pieces seem to be in place.

 

[63_Texas_1]

I felt like that before last year after all of the kool aid that was being pumped by the media got me drunk on potential. I'm trying to be more circumspect this year and that sucks, but it is a defense mechanism after last year.
That being said, this years team has potential again. The right pieces seem to be in place.

Agree.

Every successful season has playmakers, execution along with a little luck and no or limited injuries. The potential is there. Let's see how the ball bounces and how healthy we are.

 

[Sunkist]

We are all in. This team is more talented in a lot more areas than the 2005/06 team but we had some studs at QB and DBs that we aren’t able to match.

This is probably the most talent on the roster since then. I’m drinking the koolaid.

 

[Baron]

We are all in. This team is more talented in a lot more areas than the 2005/06 team but we had some studs at QB and DBs that we aren’t able to match.

This is probably the most talent on the roster since then. I’m drinking the koolaid.

2008 and 2009 were pretty loaded as well.

 

[Chapalahorn]

This:
In 2005, USC was really the only team that could compete with us. That is not the case in 2026. There are many.

I totally agree with what you’re saying but I just think this year’s team has something special and I think Muschamp’s defense will be the difference.

 

[bctex1106]

I’ll start! I feel a lot like I did in 2005. I see dominance on both sides of the ball and leaders in Manning and Simmons who refuse to lose. I think our offense will be awesome and our defense aggressive and extremely hard to score on. The only way we can lose is if we self destruct with penalties and turnovers. This is the most excited I have been about a season since Vince!!!

It's an odd setup going into the season with what everyone claims to be is the most talented roster in the nation, while also having the #1 SOS.

While im excited, ive officially reached "prove it" mode on Sark now that the stars are aligning. The schedule is brutal, and even with that in mind, anything short of a semifinal appearance will be a letdown of a season, IMO.

Id really prefer that Sark NOT end up being nicknamed "the James Franklin of the South" bc he cant get over the hump

 

[Sunkist]

I thought

2008 and 2009 were pretty loaded as well.

2023 team also felt quite loaded.

 

[texbound]

Offense - I think this offense has a chance to be special. Not quite Joe Burrow and LSU, but pretty damn close. It all hinges on the boys up front. Last year, Arch was young and inexperienced, the OL was also young and inexperienced (minus Campbell), the RBs were serviceable, but not game changers (Baxter coming off injury was never the same), the WRs were middle of the pack. Wingo was the only one that really scared anyone.

Flip to this year, the light went on for Arch late last year and he stopped pressing and played. That Michigan game was where he put it together.

OL was upgraded and has lots of experience and talent. Key now is getting them cohesive and operating as one.

RBs are more talented, imo, and can break a game open. I wouldn't be surprised to see both transfer RBs go for 800+ each on the ground with one or both pushing the 1000yd mark.

WRs are leaps and bounds better. Wingo is more experienced and Cam Coleman elevates that entire room. Also, Bishop and Lockett will make some noise this year.....mark my words.

Defense can be summed up in one simple word......Muschamp! Defense was solid last year and kept the Horns in lots of games; however, this year I believe they will be more tenacious and aggressive. No way will they sit back and let teams methodically come back into a game. Sure, they will give up some big plays here and there, but overall I think they will generate more TOs and points. Complimentary football.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Defense can be summed up in one simple word......Muschamp! Defense was solid last year and kept the Horns in lots of games; however, this year I believe they will be more tenacious and aggressive. No way will they sit back and let teams methodically come back into a game. Sure, they will give up some big plays here and there, but overall I think they will generate more TOs and points. Complimentary football.

With the aggressive style of play, I think we get a lot more turnovers, and as a result, more scores off turnovers.