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:

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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!