It looks like there might have been enough interest in the general college football thread to do this. Feel free to add to this thread, mock the Horns, or otherwise contribute.
First, recapping 2014. Last year was the first year in the Charlie Strong era, and it was a tough one. 6-7 seasons with five blowout losses are not what Longhorn fans expect or accept. Most fans realize that he inherited a team that lacked a lot of talent, depth, and discipline. The dismissal of several players only made matters worse. The offense was awful, quarterback play was uneven at best, and special teams were terrible. The defense was actually pretty solid, and most games where the Horns gave up lots of points reflected the poor play on offense, not defense. The rise of TCU and Baylor as legitimate national title contenders only made matters worse. Texas fans will not take kindly to being seen as the fourth best program in the state (adding in A&M). On the plus side, some young players really developed last year. Also, like I said, the defense was very good. Strong had a very good year recruiting too, including stud linebacker Malik Jefferson (who will need to contribute as a true freshman) and QB Kai Locksley (who will be redshirted).
I look at 2015 as the beginning of the rebuilding of the program. Last year was always going to be a mess, so I think (hope?) that this is the year Charlie starts to turn it around. I'm hoping for a 7 or 8 win season, but part of me is dreading a four win season and another coaching change. Issues 1-3 for this team are quarterback, quarterback and quarterback. Will it be upperclassman Tyrone Swoopes or redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard? Neither instills much confidence, but one or both of them will lead a new-look Texas offense. Strong made the change to a spread tempo offense similar to those used by most Texas high school programs. Theoretically the bulk of the players should feel more at home in this system. I would prefer Heard because of what we saw last year out of Swoopes, plus Heard is more mobile which is important and today's college game. Beyond that, Johnathan Gray should lead the rushing attack. There are plenty of good-not-great wideouts. The wide receivers that emerge might depend on who has the better rapport with the starting QB, whoever that is.
Most of the offensive line is back, so there is experience there. They were so dreadful at times last year that I don't know if that is a good thing though. The defense was really good last year, and they will continue to play the base 3-3-5 with a Fox end. The Horns lost a TON of talent and tackles here, but it looks like they have solid replacements. For example, Malcom Brown was a beast last year and is gone to the NFL, but his replacement, Hassan Ridgeway, looks more than adequate. The D-Line in general looks solid, as does the rest of the defense. I'm less concerned than most about the lost talent here and expect another solid season. One key area of focus for the defense is forcing turnovers. While generally speaking the defense was the strength of the team last year, they forced a surprisingly few amount of turnovers.
Charlie Strong has traditionally put together solid special teams play. Last year was a disaster. Nick Rose looks solid enough as the place kicker. Punting will make me nervous all year though. The return game looks to have an infusion of young talent too. I'm hoping for more out of this unit.
I know a lot of Longhorn nation expects ten win seasons each and every year. Barring everything going right for the Horns and disasters for several other teams, that will not happen this year. I would consider 8-5 or 7-6 a successful season, depending on who the losses are to and how many games are blowouts. Another sub-500 season and Strongs seat starts to get pretty warm.
First, recapping 2014. Last year was the first year in the Charlie Strong era, and it was a tough one. 6-7 seasons with five blowout losses are not what Longhorn fans expect or accept. Most fans realize that he inherited a team that lacked a lot of talent, depth, and discipline. The dismissal of several players only made matters worse. The offense was awful, quarterback play was uneven at best, and special teams were terrible. The defense was actually pretty solid, and most games where the Horns gave up lots of points reflected the poor play on offense, not defense. The rise of TCU and Baylor as legitimate national title contenders only made matters worse. Texas fans will not take kindly to being seen as the fourth best program in the state (adding in A&M). On the plus side, some young players really developed last year. Also, like I said, the defense was very good. Strong had a very good year recruiting too, including stud linebacker Malik Jefferson (who will need to contribute as a true freshman) and QB Kai Locksley (who will be redshirted).
I look at 2015 as the beginning of the rebuilding of the program. Last year was always going to be a mess, so I think (hope?) that this is the year Charlie starts to turn it around. I'm hoping for a 7 or 8 win season, but part of me is dreading a four win season and another coaching change. Issues 1-3 for this team are quarterback, quarterback and quarterback. Will it be upperclassman Tyrone Swoopes or redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard? Neither instills much confidence, but one or both of them will lead a new-look Texas offense. Strong made the change to a spread tempo offense similar to those used by most Texas high school programs. Theoretically the bulk of the players should feel more at home in this system. I would prefer Heard because of what we saw last year out of Swoopes, plus Heard is more mobile which is important and today's college game. Beyond that, Johnathan Gray should lead the rushing attack. There are plenty of good-not-great wideouts. The wide receivers that emerge might depend on who has the better rapport with the starting QB, whoever that is.
Most of the offensive line is back, so there is experience there. They were so dreadful at times last year that I don't know if that is a good thing though. The defense was really good last year, and they will continue to play the base 3-3-5 with a Fox end. The Horns lost a TON of talent and tackles here, but it looks like they have solid replacements. For example, Malcom Brown was a beast last year and is gone to the NFL, but his replacement, Hassan Ridgeway, looks more than adequate. The D-Line in general looks solid, as does the rest of the defense. I'm less concerned than most about the lost talent here and expect another solid season. One key area of focus for the defense is forcing turnovers. While generally speaking the defense was the strength of the team last year, they forced a surprisingly few amount of turnovers.
Charlie Strong has traditionally put together solid special teams play. Last year was a disaster. Nick Rose looks solid enough as the place kicker. Punting will make me nervous all year though. The return game looks to have an infusion of young talent too. I'm hoping for more out of this unit.
I know a lot of Longhorn nation expects ten win seasons each and every year. Barring everything going right for the Horns and disasters for several other teams, that will not happen this year. I would consider 8-5 or 7-6 a successful season, depending on who the losses are to and how many games are blowouts. Another sub-500 season and Strongs seat starts to get pretty warm.
