Texas Longhorns 2012
The season begins on September 1st for the Texas Longhorns, and I’ll probably be in bfe (it’s Labour Day Weekend, which means Church auction), so I’ll probably have to listen to the game online, if I get any coverage of it at all.
The Longhorns are coming off an 8-5 season (including a Holiday Bowl win over Cal), which was an improvement over 2010, and it’ll be the second year under Harsin’s new offense. The offensive side of the ball is where many of the concerns lie: quarterback and offensive line particularly. However, the running game should be even better than last year, with the addition of Jonathan Gray, as the team continues the transition from a spread offense to a power running game. The defense played well last year under Manny Diaz, and I look for continued dominance on that side of the ball.
So looking forward, I see 7 sure wins (Wyoming, New Mexico, Ole Miss, Baylor, Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa). That leaves 5 games that could go either way. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have lost several players on the offensive side of the ball, through the draft or injury, which should give Texas the upper hand. TCU was a strong team last season, but given all their off the field issues, as well as the loss of key players, this is another game Texas can win. West Virginia is a team that worries me. If the offense at all falters, particularly the quarterback play, this is a game that could get away from them a la Baylor last season. Then there is Kansas State. I don’t know what kind of deal with the devil Bill Snyder has made, but it’s worked over the years, because I have watched more soul crushing losses at the hands of KSU than I care to remember.
Provided the quarterback position holds up (and all this team needs is for David Ash, preferably, to progress in the system and be a good game manager. In other words, make good decisions and rely on a strong run game), this team should be able to go at least 10-2 this season.
You can see the full schedule here.
