Throughout the summer, HornSports’s Chris Flanagan will countdown the college football season by projecting his season-ending records among Big 12 teams. At number six, we stay home on the 40 Acres and preview the Longhorns.
#10 – Kansas Jayhawks
#9 – Iowa State Cyclones
#8 – West Virginia Mountaineers
Why not Higher?
Consistency, plain and simple. Yes, Texas has a LOT of really good young players and talent and they definitely appear to be on the rise. They also have versatile role-playing seniors that will help produce, but the lack of a proven, consistent passer leaves a lot of gray area. Texas hasn’t had consistency at the position since David Ash, but if Buechele gets the nod at starter he will push the envelope. The rushing attack looks to be a legitimate force this year, but until a passing attack that can keep defenses honest manifests itself, it’s tough for me to project greater success.
Why not Lower?
I am buying the notion that the defense will be a great asset to the team this season. That helps keep them above Texas Tech, who I ranked at #7. Also, the confidence the Longhorns have shown throughout the summer and into fall camp is something I haven’t seen in a few years. There’s no trash talking going on, just a quiet confidence emanating from the field and locker room. That’s enough for me to believe that they will be more consistent but it’s not enough to get them out of the bottom half of the conference in my opinion.
Bright Spots
Shane Buechele gives the Longhorns hope, but don’t count out Tyrone Swoopes. Sure, the majority of the fanbase is obsessing about the brand new toy on the 40, but the old one has made positive strides and still has some gas in the tank. I expect to see Swoopes take some snaps this season that aren’t 18-wheeler-related.
A true bright spot on this Texas team that many in the national media aren’t focusing on is sophomore Holton Hill. Hollywood had 49 total tackles last year, not to mention, a nice pick-6 in the Oklahoma State game. I believe Hill is primed for a breakout year which will allow him to showcase his growth in the off-season.
Season Prediction
College football presents a long, long off-season and there is a lot to consider heading into a new season. Until September 4th hits we won’t know how good this team truly is. But there is most definitely a sparkle of hope for the Longhorns. Recruits believe in Charlie Strong and so does this team. That doesn’t mean they can fail to make a bowl game again – it’s imperative that they take care of business.
Notre Dame will be a tough game to win, but I believe the ‘Horns win on the road in Berkeley and finish the season above .500 in the Big 12.
Final 2016 record prediction: 7-5 (5-4 Big 12)
