Kyle Spishock
The Longhorns were the only Texas team represented in the annual AP Top 25 preseason poll, landing at no. 23 on the list. Other Lone Star State vote getters included TCU (98 votes), Houston (19 votes) and Texas A&M (3 votes). The inclusion of UT is a low from last year’s preseason poll, in which three Texas colleges were ranked on the list; the Longhorns did not make the cut. Last year marked the first time the entire state of Texas missed out on a final AP ranking since 1967.
As the season approaches, no other Texas team has more hype than coach Tom Herman’s new look Longhorns. However, not everyone is convinced that the burnt orange nation will make a return to CFP contention. Our staff broke down their upcoming predictions for the legendary program.
Unlike most of the nation, I’m not drinking the burnt orange Kool-aid quiet yet. I still remember when the Longhorns bested Notre Dame last season and were on the AP Top 25 for a couple of weeks afterwards, despite the Fighting Irish struggling to find a four leaf clover for the rest of the year in terms of having any luck on both sides of the ball. Coach Tom Herman is a clear improvement over Charlie Strong, but the defense is still a concern. DC Todd Orlando did wonders in Houston and will have enough to work with when 10 returning starters come back to the fray, but can he really do anything with this mediocre lineup? On the offensive ball, Texas doesn’t have a definitive replacement for D’Onta Foreman — a chief concern since all touchdown roads lead through him. I’m predicting a rebuilding year before Herman can work his magic.
Final Record: 6-6
Cody Daniel
If the pieces will ever align for Texas to turn the corner, it seems like that would be now. While the schedule isn’t exactly forgiving, TCU and Baylor are in rebuilding mode and Texas will get some of its tougher opponents at home, such at Kansas State, West Virginia (and Kansas). Add in a team that’s finally experienced and a coaching staff that dominated when the lights were the brightest at Houston — they’ll always be bright at Texas — and that should make for a noticeable uptick in the win column. 8 sounds like the right magic number.
Final Record: 8-4
Kyle Jacobson
Tom Herman is the real deal as a head coach. Texas won’t make a full rebound to their glory days in the first decade of this century, but they will clearly turn a corner and get on the right path. They will finish 9-3 and just miss out on a berth in the Big 12 championship game. At his latest stops at Ohio State and Houston, it simply hasn’t taken Herman multiple seasons to show promise. He inherits a talented roster at Texas, so he won’t be behind the curve in that respect. His situation isn’t ideal, such as the ongoing uncertainty at the quarterback position, but Herman has enough in place to produce a solid season. Even when overmatched, Herman’s teams seem to play best when the stakes are highest.
Final Record: 9-3
Tony Venegas
Tom Herman has brought back a lot of energy into the program there in Austin and on the field, I think they’ll certainly look better at times last year but I’m not sure if their record will reflect that. Replacing D’Onta Foreman will have to be a top priority this season and I don’t think the Longhorns have quite the depth they need to be an elite contender just yet. That said, I do see them heading in the right direction in 2017 and they’re a prime contender to break out in 2018.
Final Record: 7-5
