Take Two: Will Texas turn things around in 2018?
Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling a handful of issues in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and a local expert from the Rivals.com network of team sites.
MORE TAKE TWO: OTs vs. interior linemen | Is Miami's 2019 class lacking star power | Why so few 2019 commits? | What happens with UGA's two 5-star QBs?
THE STORYLINE
A 51-41 loss to Maryland opened the coach Tom Herman era at Texas. The Longhorns finished 7-6 with close losses to USC, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.
Other than the Maryland debacle to start the season, Texas only lost by double digits to TCU in early November and had some impressive victories at Iowa State, against Kansas State, at West Virginia and then in the bowl game against Missouri to give the program some momentum leading into the offseason.
The Texas defense should be loaded up and down the roster but for the Longhorns to have more success this season, quarterback play has to be much better. Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele are the two guys to lead that position and Texas’ success - or lack thereof - will be dependent on them.
What are realistic expectations though? A Big 12 championship would be nice but Texas finished fourth in the conference last year. With elite quarterbacks at Oklahoma (Baker Mayfield) and Oklahoma State (Mason Rudolph) gone and a good one in Kenny Hill at TCU no longer there as well, hopes at Texas could be high.
Is this the year the Texas turnaround really takes hold?
FIRST TAKE: ANWAR RICHARDSON, ORANGEBLOODS.COM
“Texas fans entered last season with a lot of high hopes. After enduring a 6-7 record in Charlie Strong’s first season, followed by back-to-back 5-7 finishes, the hiring of Tom Herman was expected to return Texas back to its glory years. Herman was part of Urban Meyer’s national championship season as an offensive coordinator at Ohio State in year one. On his own, Herman led Houston to a 13-1 record during his first season. Texas fans expected Herman to have success during in first season in Austin. Nobody expected a national title, but eight to nine wins was viewed as the floor.
“Well, Texas finished 6-6 in the regular season, which was disappointing to everyone involved, including Herman. With spring football right around the corner, expectations are rising once again. The key to this season is getting better production from the quarterback position. Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele struggled last season, but that can be attributed to the poor play of Texas’ offensive line. Texas gave up 32 sacks last season, tying Iowa State and Oklahoma State for most in the Big 12. Herman hired former Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand after last season to fix the offensive line issues. In addition, Texas recently received a commitment from Rice grad transfer Calvin Anderson, who is expected to replace Connor Williams at left tackle.
“In addition, Texas’ defense could potentially have nine experienced senior starters that defensive coordinator Todd Orlando can lean on this season. That does not include Texas junior safety Brandon Jones, who has played in 24 career games with 13 starts.
“Texas has the sneaky potential to be very good this season.”
SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, RIVALS.COM
“Nine wins would be the goal. They have two good quarterbacks, both with experience, so whoever wins the job will be pushed but will have the experience to lean on from last season and the defense should be really good.
“They’re still a year away from winning the conference. Oklahoma is the team to beat with Kyler Murray at quarterback and all the talent the Sooners have. Texas can be sneaky good if they get to nine wins and finish second in the conference. That’s pretty good to me.”
