Just a few days away from the season...
Will the Horns score enough points to win games? They roll into 2018 as a Big 12 anomaly, with a solid defense and a "who knows what to expect??" offense. Last year, the D was more than solid and returns most of the two deep. The first critical question has been answered with Sam Ehlinger being named the starter for game 1. Many more remain, like will he still be the starter in game 2, 3 and so on? Who will be the primary back
I've read a lot of the "Nobody respects us" headlines this year. Unfortunately, respect is earned on Saturdays not in recruiting class hype, so Texas really needs a strong 9 or 10 win season, which is doable.
The Longhorns start with off-season headline war winning Maryland. The Terps program is in totally disarray and anything short of a decisive W will leave fans asking questions. Then it's on to the mighty Golden Showers...er Hurricanes of Tulsa. In decades past, these would be penned in as wins, but recent seasons of mediocrity leave those pencilled in very, very lightly. The season really kicks off with USC's visit to Darrell K Royal followed a week later by TCU. A trip to Manhattan is the week after, followed by the Red River Rivalry. This early stretch will likely make or break the season. A brief reprieve with a visit from last year's off-season headline war winning Baylor Bears (who my wife calls "Boo"-lor after their own recent crisis of character) followed by a bye week. A trip to Stillwater is ahead, followed by a visit from West Virginia, then a winding down of the regular season with games against Texas Tech (A), Iowa State (H) and Kansas (A).
I look at 6 must wins (Maryland, Tulsa, Baylor, TT, ISU, KU) and 6 coin-flips. Of those coin flip games, 4 are at home and one is at a neutral site. Only one is a true road game, at Kansas State. The schedule more than anything seems to have Texas fans excited for the season.
If they could only score enough points...
Will the Horns score enough points to win games? They roll into 2018 as a Big 12 anomaly, with a solid defense and a "who knows what to expect??" offense. Last year, the D was more than solid and returns most of the two deep. The first critical question has been answered with Sam Ehlinger being named the starter for game 1. Many more remain, like will he still be the starter in game 2, 3 and so on? Who will be the primary back
I've read a lot of the "Nobody respects us" headlines this year. Unfortunately, respect is earned on Saturdays not in recruiting class hype, so Texas really needs a strong 9 or 10 win season, which is doable.
The Longhorns start with off-season headline war winning Maryland. The Terps program is in totally disarray and anything short of a decisive W will leave fans asking questions. Then it's on to the mighty Golden Showers...er Hurricanes of Tulsa. In decades past, these would be penned in as wins, but recent seasons of mediocrity leave those pencilled in very, very lightly. The season really kicks off with USC's visit to Darrell K Royal followed a week later by TCU. A trip to Manhattan is the week after, followed by the Red River Rivalry. This early stretch will likely make or break the season. A brief reprieve with a visit from last year's off-season headline war winning Baylor Bears (who my wife calls "Boo"-lor after their own recent crisis of character) followed by a bye week. A trip to Stillwater is ahead, followed by a visit from West Virginia, then a winding down of the regular season with games against Texas Tech (A), Iowa State (H) and Kansas (A).
I look at 6 must wins (Maryland, Tulsa, Baylor, TT, ISU, KU) and 6 coin-flips. Of those coin flip games, 4 are at home and one is at a neutral site. Only one is a true road game, at Kansas State. The schedule more than anything seems to have Texas fans excited for the season.
If they could only score enough points...