TEXAS LONGHORNS: WILL THEY GET IT DONE ON THE 40 ACRES?
It is the Texas Longhorns last season in the Big 12 and they would like to go out with a football title, not only in the conference, but a national championship one. For a school that has been in a drought with regard to making it to the top and being the best team around, it has not been the group from Austin. In fact, with the last title team under Mack Brown, a South division Big 12 title in 2008 and a Natty under him in 2005, the past twenty or so years have not been all that productive for the Horns. For those that specialize in arithmetic, that is 18 ad 23 years if counting. For Texas, that is not acceptable. Head Coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorn nation believe that 2023 might be the year for a new trophy, or trophies, to be placed in the athletic case on campus. It just might be as the Horns have the players, the schedule, and maybe the moxie to pull it off. But it will not be an easy task.
If UT has a shot at winning the conference and making the playoffs two things must happen. Quarterback play by Quinn Ewers, a sophomore who had 15 td passes in 2022 must continue to improve and use his wonderful group of pass catchers (Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittingham and TE Ja’Travon Sanders) in getting consistent big plays.
The second thing that has to happen for UT to make it’s mark is to beat Alabama on the road in game two. Texas has to develop that mental attitude that it can play with the big boys and a win in Tuscaloosa would do that. Texas will not win that game if the same approach of “wanting to win” but not getting it done continues. Coach Sark has his work cut out.
A punishing ground game lead by a veteran offensive line sophomore Kevin Banks Jr. will be a asset. Texas returns the complete offensive line from 2022. The running backs at UT will be good enough to make the Texas offense a potent group with Ewers delivering the needed leadership. It is his team and he showed the talent in the 2022 game with the Tide.
The defense will continue to improve, especially the pass rush, best in the Big 12 last year. Can they stop Alabama? We shall see. A young QB for the Tide will be tested by the Texas front 7.
I like what Texas brings to the table. They will have to prove they can win in games with teams like Alabama. Five loses in 2022 gives many doubters ammunition to ponder the situation. UT has the Longhorns but are they mentally ready steers or just plain old stupid and ill equipped in the brain cows?
Winning at the highest level this season? The Horns have enough road blocks that even with a loss to Alabama, they cannot afford to lose road conference games at Baylor, TCU, or Houston. The game with OU in Dallas is always a game that could go either way.
If Texas beats Alabama, they could run the table in the regular season as they will be favored in every conference contest. The Big 12 title game will be a bitch, but a 11-1 UT team would be the favorite and a win could get them in the playoffs. That is possible and Texas would be back, for sure.
Feature photo Credit: The Sporting News.
Secondary photo Credit: Fan Nation
