Texas Has Eyes Set On First Big 12 Title Since 2009
Regular Season Win Total
NCAAF Pick: Longhorns Over 9.5 Wins (+115) & Win Big 12 Title
Odds
Oddsmakers have set Texas' regular season win total at 9.5 games. The Longhorns went 10-4 last year, but have to face a tougher non-conference opponent in LSU. They are the second-most favored team (behind Oklahoma) to win the Big 12 at +300 and are a long-shot at +2200 to win it all.
Team Preview
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger has always been an absolute competitor. He can carry the team on his shoulders and is always willing to sacrifice his body. To start his career, he possessed a gunslinger mentality and was careless with the football. Last year, he became smarter and more efficient as a passer, throwing two fewer interceptions than in 2017, despite attempting 150 more passes, and converting 7.2% more of his pass attempts.
As a runner, his lack of caution makes him more of an injury risk. Throughout his career, he's had to miss time. Last year, it was the second half of Iowa State and nearly the entire Baylor game. Shane Buechele, who Ehlinger took the starting quarterback job from in 2017, was able to bail out Ehlinger. Buechele was a highly competent backup quarterback, who, most notably, went 10-for-10 in UT's win against Iowa State. It's possible that Texas will miss Buechele, who is now at SMU. Neither of Ehlinger's backups has thrown a pass in college. But Ehlinger is tough and can play through a lot of pain.
At running back, Texas returns last year's second-leading rusher in Keaontay Ingram. Ingram actually lead Texas with five yards per carry, despite carrying it only 38 fewer times than Tre Watson. Watson, though, was a vocal leader who came up with big runs at the right time.
Ingram is an able runner between the tackles who can be pretty dangerous in open space. He'll shoulder a bigger load with the departure of Watson. To prepare himself, he added 15 pounds of muscle. Behind him await Daniel Young, who only carried it 42 times last year, and former wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Whittington has received strong reviews for handling his position switch and promises to be a dynamic, big-play threat. The offensive line will be a positive, returning 55 starts from last year plus getting two-time All-ACC left guard from Georgia Tech, Parker Braun.
Texas likewise loses its leading wide receiver, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but will reload at this position. Collin Johnson caught 65 passes last year for nearly 1,000 yards. He has always had a rare physical skill set with his size at 6'6, his vertical ability that allows him to grab contested balls in the air, and his speed. The key for him in his second year last year was to improve his route running, to free up more space for himself. Devin Duvernay was Texas' third-leading receiver. He was a top-flight sprinter in high school where he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash. His speed makes him a big-play threat and he had Texas' longest reception last year.
Regarding UT's defense, several outlets like Phil Steele proclaim that it returns only two or three starters. But this is inaccurate if you account for who received starting time towards the end of the season. In reality, Texas returns five starters plus frequent contributors.
The defensive line will reload. Malcolm Roach achieved three sacks and eight tackles for loss as a freshman in 2016. He looks primed to finally build off of those numbers after dealing with different defensive staffs and numerous position switches. He finally enjoys continuity in both respects and will provide an upgrade at defensive end over Breckyn Hager, who was generally outsized. Roach's counterpart, Ta'Quon Graham, is right behind him in terms of experience, having played in 26 games, eight fewer than Roach. Keondre Coburn returns at nose tackle after appearing in a couple games last year, while maintaining his redshirt.
Texas returns four linebackers with starting experience. The most intriguing one is Jeffrey McCulloch, who is most known for achieving a goal-line tackle for loss against TCU that kept it out of the end zone and for making a 65-yard interception return to finish off Kansas.
Five of UT's top eight defensive backs return. It's surest at safety with All-Big 12 first-teamer Caden Sterns and leading tackler (in the secondary) Brandon Jones. As a freshman, Sterns distinguished himself by making game-changing plays, including a blocked kick against USC and two momentous interceptions against TCU. His instinct and ball skill enabled him to lead Texas with four interceptions. Jones' ideal size and physicality allowed him to be the top-ranked safety in the 2016 recruiting class. He plays like he's everywhere with his speed and sideline-to-sideline pursuit. He's likewise reliable in the open field.
Cornerback will also be a position of strength. Jalen Green had signed as the sixth-best cornerback of his class and received strong reviews in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia and during the offseason. He's reportedly a hard hitter and makes up for less-than-impressive speed with his length and ball skill. His counterpart Anthony Cook started last year against Oklahoma State where he already showed good footwork. He played more as the season went on, most notably displaying downhill speed to achieve a timely sack against Kansas.
Regular Season Win Total
NCAAF Pick: Longhorns Over 9.5 Wins (+115) & Win Big 12 Title
Odds
Oddsmakers have set Texas' regular season win total at 9.5 games. The Longhorns went 10-4 last year, but have to face a tougher non-conference opponent in LSU. They are the second-most favored team (behind Oklahoma) to win the Big 12 at +300 and are a long-shot at +2200 to win it all.
Team Preview
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger has always been an absolute competitor. He can carry the team on his shoulders and is always willing to sacrifice his body. To start his career, he possessed a gunslinger mentality and was careless with the football. Last year, he became smarter and more efficient as a passer, throwing two fewer interceptions than in 2017, despite attempting 150 more passes, and converting 7.2% more of his pass attempts.
As a runner, his lack of caution makes him more of an injury risk. Throughout his career, he's had to miss time. Last year, it was the second half of Iowa State and nearly the entire Baylor game. Shane Buechele, who Ehlinger took the starting quarterback job from in 2017, was able to bail out Ehlinger. Buechele was a highly competent backup quarterback, who, most notably, went 10-for-10 in UT's win against Iowa State. It's possible that Texas will miss Buechele, who is now at SMU. Neither of Ehlinger's backups has thrown a pass in college. But Ehlinger is tough and can play through a lot of pain.
At running back, Texas returns last year's second-leading rusher in Keaontay Ingram. Ingram actually lead Texas with five yards per carry, despite carrying it only 38 fewer times than Tre Watson. Watson, though, was a vocal leader who came up with big runs at the right time.
Ingram is an able runner between the tackles who can be pretty dangerous in open space. He'll shoulder a bigger load with the departure of Watson. To prepare himself, he added 15 pounds of muscle. Behind him await Daniel Young, who only carried it 42 times last year, and former wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Whittington has received strong reviews for handling his position switch and promises to be a dynamic, big-play threat. The offensive line will be a positive, returning 55 starts from last year plus getting two-time All-ACC left guard from Georgia Tech, Parker Braun.
Texas likewise loses its leading wide receiver, Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but will reload at this position. Collin Johnson caught 65 passes last year for nearly 1,000 yards. He has always had a rare physical skill set with his size at 6'6, his vertical ability that allows him to grab contested balls in the air, and his speed. The key for him in his second year last year was to improve his route running, to free up more space for himself. Devin Duvernay was Texas' third-leading receiver. He was a top-flight sprinter in high school where he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash. His speed makes him a big-play threat and he had Texas' longest reception last year.
Regarding UT's defense, several outlets like Phil Steele proclaim that it returns only two or three starters. But this is inaccurate if you account for who received starting time towards the end of the season. In reality, Texas returns five starters plus frequent contributors.
The defensive line will reload. Malcolm Roach achieved three sacks and eight tackles for loss as a freshman in 2016. He looks primed to finally build off of those numbers after dealing with different defensive staffs and numerous position switches. He finally enjoys continuity in both respects and will provide an upgrade at defensive end over Breckyn Hager, who was generally outsized. Roach's counterpart, Ta'Quon Graham, is right behind him in terms of experience, having played in 26 games, eight fewer than Roach. Keondre Coburn returns at nose tackle after appearing in a couple games last year, while maintaining his redshirt.
Texas returns four linebackers with starting experience. The most intriguing one is Jeffrey McCulloch, who is most known for achieving a goal-line tackle for loss against TCU that kept it out of the end zone and for making a 65-yard interception return to finish off Kansas.
Five of UT's top eight defensive backs return. It's surest at safety with All-Big 12 first-teamer Caden Sterns and leading tackler (in the secondary) Brandon Jones. As a freshman, Sterns distinguished himself by making game-changing plays, including a blocked kick against USC and two momentous interceptions against TCU. His instinct and ball skill enabled him to lead Texas with four interceptions. Jones' ideal size and physicality allowed him to be the top-ranked safety in the 2016 recruiting class. He plays like he's everywhere with his speed and sideline-to-sideline pursuit. He's likewise reliable in the open field.
Cornerback will also be a position of strength. Jalen Green had signed as the sixth-best cornerback of his class and received strong reviews in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia and during the offseason. He's reportedly a hard hitter and makes up for less-than-impressive speed with his length and ball skill. His counterpart Anthony Cook started last year against Oklahoma State where he already showed good footwork. He played more as the season went on, most notably displaying downhill speed to achieve a timely sack against Kansas.
