2008 Texas Longhorns
Mack Brown enters his eleventh year as Texas head coach with a 103-25 career record. A 10-3 mark last season was capped off by a 52-34 win in the Holiday Bowl over Arizona State. The Longhorns have lost some valuable pieces from last year’s team, but their recruiting prowess will have Texas back into the thick of things in the Big 12 South in no time. Let’s see how they fare with Info Plays 2008 Texas Longhorns football predictions below.
Offense:
The Longhorns took their biggest hit on offense in the offseason, losing their top tight end, top wideout and top running back. But Texas has the uncanny ability to reload, not rebuild. They have the players to step in with tight end Blaine Irby, receivers Brandon Collins and Malcolm Williams, and halfbacks Vondrell McGee, Chris Ogbannaya and “Fozzy” Whitaker. The Longhorns shouldn’t miss a beat with the talent they have at their disposal. McGee was a hard-running force between the tackles in the spring, but Whitake has shown he’ll be a weapon out of the backfield with his speed to compliment McGee.
Quan Cosby is the go-to receiver in Texas to start the season. Jordan Shipley will have to stay healthy at the other receiver spot, leaving time for freshmen Collins and Williams to develop. Quarterback Colt McCoy will be more of a rushing threat this season with Jamaal Charles gone. It will help make defenses more honest for the Longhorns’ basic zone read play. McCoy has hit the weight room hard in the offseason to become more durable, and at the same time improved on his speed. McCoy has sacked 25 times and threw 18 interceptions last year, but a better line could bring down those numbers. Last season’s misfortune is this season’s treasure on the line, with six linemen having starting experience. This unit will be led by two-year veterans Cedrick Dockery and Adam Ulatoski.
Defense:
A new defensive coordinator for a fourth straight year looms in Texas. Will Muschamp is a rising coaching star who’ll keep the same game plan, but change the terminology a bit. The front seven are solid and the linebackers have serious potential. Brian Orakpo and Henry Melton should be above average ends. Lamarr Houston and Roy Miller have experience at tackle. They combined for 20 tackles for a loss last season.
Rashad Bobino returns at middle linebacker, but his job isn’t safe with the up-and-coming Jared Norton ready to compete. Sergia Kindle is ready for a breakout year on the strong side while Rod Muckelroy mans the weak side spot. Ryan Palmer is back at cornerback and part-time starter Deon Beasley fills the other spot. At safety, the Longhorns have four freshman among the top five on the depth chart so there is plenty of healthy competition to go around for these youngsters.
Texas Longhorns Predictions at Info Plays: 2nd in the Big 12 South
The Longhorns should have a decent running game by committee behind an experienced offensive line. Texas will have to get an honest pass rush from the front four and have their linebackers play up to par to give their secondary some time to develop. Promising young receivers must produce, and all is well and full of postseason possibilities.
Big 12 Wins Expected in ‘08: OKLAHOMA STATE , BAYLOR , TEXAS A&M
Potential Scares/Losses: at Colorado , vs. Oklahoma (Dallas), MISSOURI , at Texas Tech , at Kansas
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