The Texas Longhorns have endured back-to-back disappointing seasons and now they feel the pressure to get things turned around. After a miserable 5-7 campaign in 2010, Texas was able to get back on track with an 8-5 finish to the 2011 season, but that simply isn't good enough. They started out well, winning their first four games before losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State derailed their Big 12 title hopes.
Head coach Mack Brown has tallied a 141-139 record at Texas as he enters his 15th season with the program. With 15 starters and 43 lettermen returning from last year, the Longhorns will have the most experienced team in the Big 12 this season. They do not overwhelming expectations nationally, but they have the ability to sneak up on some teams in 2012.
Offense
The Longhorns had a poor offensive showing in 2011. They averaged just 28.3 points and 393 total yards per game last year. If they offense is going to improve, they are going to have to get more out of the passing game. While they put up an impressive 203 ypg on the ground, Texas only managed 190 ypg through the air. Texas started three quarterbacks last year and they need to find that one guy who gives them the consistency they need.
From the looks of it, Texas plans on starting sophomore David Ash, but junior Case McCoy is definitely in the mix. Ash threw for 1,068 yards on 56.6 percent completions with four touchdowns and eight interceptions, while McCoy threw for 1,045 yards on 61.4 percent completions with seven touchdowns and four picks. McCoy committed five turnovers in their season-finale last year against Baylor, which prompted Ash to get all of the snaps in their 21-10 victory over California in the Holiday Bowl.
Texas will have two of its top rushers returning in sophomores Malcolm Brown (742 yards, 4.3/carry, five touchdowns) and Joe Bergeron (463 yards, 6.4/carry, five touchdowns). They will also add the top freshman running back recruit in the country in Johnathan Gray. They might still be young, but this team has the potential to have one of the nation's top backfields.
Poor quarterback play has really limited the production at wide receiver, but with all three starters come back this unit figures to improve this season. Junior Mike Davis (45 receptions, 609 yards, one touchdown), sophomore Jaxon Shipley (44, 607, three touchdowns) and senior Marquise Goodwin (33, 421, two touchdowns) are all expected to make major contributions in 2012. Senior Barrett Mathews will start at the tight end position, but he doesn't offer much in the passing game as he is known more for his blocking than pass-catching ability.
The offensive line should become a team strength in 2012 as four starters will return who have 63 career starts together. Mack Brown claims that the improvement in this unit was like "night and day" in the spring compared to 2011. The one lost starter will be replaced by talented junior college transfer Donald Hawkins at left tackle.
Defense
Texas had arguably one of the best defenses in the country last year. This unit gave up just 22.2 points and 306 total yards per game, despite playing in a conference where many of the most potent offenses in the country played. They do lose three of their top four tacklers from that unit, but return six starters, which should help them pick up right where they left off in 2011.
Texas really figures to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback this season, as they feature one of the top defensive end duos in the country in Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat. The two combined for 15 sacks last year and only figure to get better. A lot of people were surprsied when Okafor turned down the opportunity to play in the NFL. At defensive tackle the Longhorns get back talented juniors Brandon Moore and Ashton Dorsey, plus they are very high on sophomore Desmond Jackson. As a whole this unit should be one of the best in all of college football.
The linebacker corps suffers the biggest blow, as the Longhorns lose their top two tacklers. Emmanuel Acho (131 tackles) was drafted in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns, while Keenan Robinson (106 tackles) was taken in the fourth round by the Washington Redskins. Junior Jordan Hicks (65 tackles) is their only returning starter at linebacker and becomes the leader of this unit. They are loaded with very highly touted recruits, but inexperience might be a recurring issue.
10 very highly touted players will compete for playing time in the secondary heading into 2012. The Longhorns return three starters in the defensive backfield in star FS Kenny Vaccaro (82 tackles, 10 passes defended), sophomore CB Quandre Diggs (51 tackles, 15 pass break-ups, four INT) and junior CB Carrington Byndom (58 tackles, 15 pass break-ups, two INT). Paired up with a very strong defensive line, we could see one of the better pass defenses in the country.
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Big 12 Prediction - 2nd Place
Texaswill almost definitely boast one of the best defenses in the country in 2012, but their improvement on the offensive end will be at test of how far they can go. With nine starters back on offense, they will obviously be more productive than they were a year ago. Their rushing attack will once again be very good and they will definitely see some improvement on their quarterback play. Ash and McCoy gained valuable experience last year, and now it's time for one of them to step up and lead this team. They also have a manageable road schedule with Oklahoma State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Kansas State.
About the Author:
Jack Jones is the feature handicapper at Betfirms and will be posting his college footbal picks all season long. You can also check out the site today, for a closer look at Texas Football.
