The Texas Longhorns are coming into the 2012 season with high expectations and look to get back to the upper echelon of the Big XII. Here is a brief outlook of this season and some thoughts on how the games will go.
Wyoming – The Longhorns open their season up at home with the Wyoming Cowboys. Texas is 4-0 all-time against the Cowboys. Last time these two teams played, it was a tough one in Laramie. Most people will look at this game and think it will be a cakewalk for the Horns. I don’t feel confident enough to say it will be a blow out, but I think the Horns find a way to win comfortably.
New Mexico– Second game of the season, another home game, and this time it is proverbial laughing stock New Mexico. The Horns are 2-0 All-time against the Lobos. While this game should be an easy victory, if the Longhorns get caught overlooking this one, it could prove to be tougher than expected. Texas should win by a nice margin and get some quality playing time for guys down on the depth chart.
At Mississippi– This will be the first meeting between the Longhorns and Ole Miss since 1961. The Longhorns are 5-1 all time against the Rebels, but this game is going to be in Oxford and against an SEC team. While I think this could be a good test for the Horns, they will probably struggle to put up a lot of points. I see this as a close game, but the Horns leave with a victory and look forward to opening Big XII play against Oklahoma State.
At Oklahoma St. -The first Big XII game of the season will be on the road in Stillwater at Oklahoma State. This has always been a tough game for the Horns and it looks to be a tough start to conference play. I don’t see Oklahoma St being as tough as they have been in the past, so Texas should find a way pull out the win this year in Stillwater.
West Virginia– The Longhorns will host Big XII newcomer for the first time and this will only be the 2nd meeting between the two schools over all. This game could be a real barn burner from the beginning, but I don’t know if Texas has enough to keep up with West Virginia. This could be a tight game, but I don’t see Texas being able to contain the Mountaineer offense enough to hold a victory. This will be a tough loss to the new kid on the block, but something to build on heading into the Oklahoma Game.
Oklahoma– The annual Red River Rivalry game will once again happen at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Once again this will be a game decided on pivotal mistakes. Oklahoma is bringing in bragging rights from last year, and Texas hopes to end that this season. The Texas defense is vastly improved and they can keep Oklahoma in check. Texas will win a toughly contested battle on the grounds of the Cotton Bowl.
Baylor– Baylor was able to catch lightning in a bottle last season with “RG3” and took the Big 12 by storm. A surprise victory against the Horns only rubbed salt in the wounds of the Texas team. This season they are breaking in a new quarterback and will fall back into their rightful place in the mid-pack of the conference. Texas gets a nice win and will continue pushing forward toward their ultimate goal.
At Kansas– Kansas really hasn’t been a competitor when it comes to the football field. One good year in the team’s entire tenure in the Big 12. Texas should roll into Lawrence and leave with an easy W. Charlie Weiss will do some interesting things with the Jayhawks, but it won’t be nearly enough to beat the Longhorns.
At Texas Tech– Another trip to Lubbock and as usual, this has to be a game the Longhorns have to watch out for. When the Longhorns play Tech in Lubbock, strange things happen. If Texas goes in ready to take care of business they should leave Lubbock with a W, and continue rolling through the Big 12.
Iowa St.– Iowa State is starting to look better than they have in a long time, and I think they will come into Austin looking for another big time upset. It will be this upset-minded mentality that will end up hurting them. The Texas Defense will be able to get a few extra turnovers and turn this game into a rout. Texas gets a nice win heading into the first meeting with TCU since 2007.
TCU– the Longhorns and Horned Frogs will renew an old Southwest Conference rivalry this year in the Big 12. While the Horned Frogs are better than they used to be during their days in the Southwest Conference, I don’t see them being able to win in Austin this year. Texas gets a nice victory and heads into the final game of the season.
At Kansas St. – The season will end in Manhattan, Kansas this year, and this town has been a little shop of horrors for the Longhorns. I see this trend continuing and the Longhorns lose a tough game in the final minutes to the Wildcats, ending their season at 10-2.
A 10-2 record is a nice improvement and depending how things fall in the Big 12, they could be in the mix for an at large bid BCS Bowl. I will go ahead and play it safe and say that the Longhorns will get a Cotton Bowl bid.