Keep on doubting the Longhorns. Keep calling for that 8-4 season that finally pushes them out of the top 10 for good. Keep on ragging on Mack Brown. Go right on ahead and do it because these Longhorns are using your doubts as fuel to re-focus and come together as a team. This is a young team, but sometimes that’s just what a program needs to shake the creeping malaise. The schedule is manageable, so if they can maintain the intensity they showed in the Holiday Bowl last season on a weekly basis, Texas will run the table and play for the national championship.OFFENSE
They say great teams start out with great offensive lines and this is the best line Brown has assembled since the national championship team. Thanks to a rash of injuries in 2007, six players return with starting experience. Left tackle Adam Ulatoski and right guard Cedric Dockery are the veterans of the unit, while Chris Hall provides excellent versatility after starting multiple games at center, tackle, and guard a year ago. Then there’s sophomore guard Michael Huey who might end up being the best of the bunch. This group will rival Oklahoma as the best offensive line in the conference.
Colt McCoy returns for his third year starting at quarterback. McCoy didn’t have a bad year in ’07, but it was a letdown after his record setting freshman season. Look for him to take another step forward in his development in ’08 as he takes on a bigger leadership role on the team.
Backup quarterback John Chiles will see significantly more action than he did as a true freshman a year ago. Chiles has athleticism to spare and the Texas coaches are looking for ways to get the ball in his hands more often, which means you’ll probably see Chiles and McCoy on the field at the same time several times throughout the season.
After riding running backs like Jamaal Charles and Cedric Benson in the past, it’s back to a committee approach for the 2008 season. That’s not to say there isn’t any talent available, there’s just three backs that complement each other well. Expect to see equal does of Vondrell McGee, Fozzy Whitaker, and Chris Ogbannaya.
Wide receiver appears at first glance to be an area of concern, but when you consider the sheer number of talented candidates, it’s a position that could become a strength by the end of the season. Quan Cosby is a solid target who will keep the chains moving with his precise route running and reliable hands. Ditto for Jordan Shipley. Then the excitement begins. Redshirt freshman Malcolm Williams headlines a long list of freshman receivers that all have a chance to contribute. With his excellent hands and limitless potential, look for Williams to contribute a handful of big plays in the passing game this year.
As a true freshman, tight end Blaine Irby flashed the athletic ability to pick up right where Jermichael Finley left off. Peter Ullman is the blocking tight end.
DEFENSE
New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp brings an impressive résumé to Austin. Prior to coordinating Auburn’s top notch units the last few seasons he won a national title as Nick Saban’s DC at LSU. With the talent available to Muschamp, the defense should show marked improvement and become a feared group once again.
Brian Orakpo will be the cornerstone of the defense this season. Muschamp will turn Orakpo loose on opposing quarterbacks full time this year which will catapult him to double-digit sack territory. Sophomore Sam Acho has been unblockable in practice since arriving on campus, so he’ll lock down the other defensive end spot and make sure Orakpo doesn’t get all the attention. The active Lamarr Houston moves inside to defensive tackle this year where he’ll join Roy Miller.
The linebacking corps has been woefully underutilized the last two seasons, but there are five players at this position that anybody else in the conference would love to have. Rashad Bobino has been a fixture at middle linebacker for two years now. He’ll be joined in the starting lineup by Roddrick Muckelroy, who simply produces when he’s on the field, and redshirt freshman Keenan Robinson. That leaves Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle coming off the bench to provide depth that is without peer.
The biggest question mark facing the Longhorns is the secondary. The pass defense was downright bad in ’07, and this year’s unit is littered with freshmen and sophomores. Ryan Palmer and Deon Beasley will start at corner, but they’ll be pushed by up-and-comer Chykie Brown, who has much better size than either of the starters. The two safety positions will most likely be manned by freshmen. Earl Thomas has been a favorite of the coaching staff since arriving on campus, and Christian Scott appears to have played his way into the other spot with his knack for big hits.
Overall the defense will no doubt show improvement, especially in the front seven. The young secondary has loads of promise, but they must gel quickly in the pass-happy Big XII.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Will Muschamp’s defense. This is a unit with loads of talent, and Muschamp has the pedigree to shape them into a championship caliber group.
RISING STARS
John Chiles and Malcolm Williams. These two offensive playmakers will make their presence felt this season. Both provide exciting athleticism that should add another dimension to the offense.
They say great teams start out with great offensive lines and this is the best line Brown has assembled since the national championship team. Thanks to a rash of injuries in 2007, six players return with starting experience. Left tackle Adam Ulatoski and right guard Cedric Dockery are the veterans of the unit, while Chris Hall provides excellent versatility after starting multiple games at center, tackle, and guard a year ago. Then there’s sophomore guard Michael Huey who might end up being the best of the bunch. This group will rival Oklahoma as the best offensive line in the conference.
Colt McCoy returns for his third year starting at quarterback. McCoy didn’t have a bad year in ’07, but it was a letdown after his record setting freshman season. Look for him to take another step forward in his development in ’08 as he takes on a bigger leadership role on the team.
Backup quarterback John Chiles will see significantly more action than he did as a true freshman a year ago. Chiles has athleticism to spare and the Texas coaches are looking for ways to get the ball in his hands more often, which means you’ll probably see Chiles and McCoy on the field at the same time several times throughout the season.
After riding running backs like Jamaal Charles and Cedric Benson in the past, it’s back to a committee approach for the 2008 season. That’s not to say there isn’t any talent available, there’s just three backs that complement each other well. Expect to see equal does of Vondrell McGee, Fozzy Whitaker, and Chris Ogbannaya.
Wide receiver appears at first glance to be an area of concern, but when you consider the sheer number of talented candidates, it’s a position that could become a strength by the end of the season. Quan Cosby is a solid target who will keep the chains moving with his precise route running and reliable hands. Ditto for Jordan Shipley. Then the excitement begins. Redshirt freshman Malcolm Williams headlines a long list of freshman receivers that all have a chance to contribute. With his excellent hands and limitless potential, look for Williams to contribute a handful of big plays in the passing game this year.
As a true freshman, tight end Blaine Irby flashed the athletic ability to pick up right where Jermichael Finley left off. Peter Ullman is the blocking tight end.
DEFENSE
New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp brings an impressive résumé to Austin. Prior to coordinating Auburn’s top notch units the last few seasons he won a national title as Nick Saban’s DC at LSU. With the talent available to Muschamp, the defense should show marked improvement and become a feared group once again.
Brian Orakpo will be the cornerstone of the defense this season. Muschamp will turn Orakpo loose on opposing quarterbacks full time this year which will catapult him to double-digit sack territory. Sophomore Sam Acho has been unblockable in practice since arriving on campus, so he’ll lock down the other defensive end spot and make sure Orakpo doesn’t get all the attention. The active Lamarr Houston moves inside to defensive tackle this year where he’ll join Roy Miller.
The linebacking corps has been woefully underutilized the last two seasons, but there are five players at this position that anybody else in the conference would love to have. Rashad Bobino has been a fixture at middle linebacker for two years now. He’ll be joined in the starting lineup by Roddrick Muckelroy, who simply produces when he’s on the field, and redshirt freshman Keenan Robinson. That leaves Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle coming off the bench to provide depth that is without peer.
The biggest question mark facing the Longhorns is the secondary. The pass defense was downright bad in ’07, and this year’s unit is littered with freshmen and sophomores. Ryan Palmer and Deon Beasley will start at corner, but they’ll be pushed by up-and-comer Chykie Brown, who has much better size than either of the starters. The two safety positions will most likely be manned by freshmen. Earl Thomas has been a favorite of the coaching staff since arriving on campus, and Christian Scott appears to have played his way into the other spot with his knack for big hits.
Overall the defense will no doubt show improvement, especially in the front seven. The young secondary has loads of promise, but they must gel quickly in the pass-happy Big XII.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Will Muschamp’s defense. This is a unit with loads of talent, and Muschamp has the pedigree to shape them into a championship caliber group.
RISING STARS
John Chiles and Malcolm Williams. These two offensive playmakers will make their presence felt this season. Both provide exciting athleticism that should add another dimension to the offense.
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