2008 SEASON IN REVIEW: It was another in what has become a long line of highly successful seasons for Texas in 2008, although the team fell just shy of its goal of winning the Big 12 and playing for the BCS National Championship. An 8-0 start which included four non-conference wins in which the team outscored the opposition 198-43, had the frenzied UT faithful believing early.
A 38-14 win over Colorado in the conference opener was a great way to start their run toward a possible conference crown, and a 45-35 triumph over eventual league champ Oklahoma had the 'Horns feeling even better about their chances. Unfortunately, the perfect season came to an end on a last-minute loss to Texas Tech and coach Mack Brown's club had to settle for a Fiesta Bowl bid versus Ohio State. That game ended in a 24-21 verdict in favor of the Longhorns, who despite a near flawless run realize they missed a golden opportunity to possibly secure their second national title of the decade.
2009 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: The Texas offense was among the best in the country last season, averaging 42.4 points and 475.8 total yards per game. Led by steady QB Colt McCoy, the 'Horns ranked seventh nationally in passing (308.3 ypg), and the runner-up to the 2008 Heisman is back for his senior season, hoping to lead UT to college football's promised land. Having completed better than 76 percent of his passes (NCAA record) and amassing more than 3,800 yards, 34 TDs against only eight INTs last year, McCoy is clearly one of the top signal-callers in the country but Brown knows he is not content to rest on his laurels.
"I do think Colt can improve, and just listening to him and watching him. He studied film so much to see every little glitch like he felt he had last year." Brown continued, "I think what he's doing is he's trying to look at things that he feels like he can improve, instead of saying I've got to do better than the best, he's going back and looking at little things."
McCoy should enjoy another stellar season as he will attempt to get the ball in hands of talented wideouts Jordan Shipley and Malcolm Williams, the former coming off a campaign in which he caught 89 balls for 1,060 yards and 11 TDs.
The UT running game accounted for 167.5 ypg in '08, but McCoy was the team's top rusher with 561 yards and 11 scores. Brown is hoping that any one of the half dozen backs on the roster will step up and grab the mantle. Guys to keep an eye on include Cody Johnson, Vondrell McGee and Fozzy Whitaker, with their physical condition being well monitored.
The offensive line boasts the return of four mammoth starters, the smallest being 6-4, 300-pound center Chris Hall.
DEFENSE: Although they gave up more passing yards (259.4 ypg) than they would have liked last season, the Longhorns were one of the more aggressive defensive units in the Big 12. You wouldn't know it by their mere six INTs, but the fact that opponents were able to move the ball through the air was more a product of their inability to do so on the ground (83.5 ppg) rather than any serious flaw in the UT aerial defense.
The loss of three starters along the defensive line, including standout Brian Orakpo, hurts but this is Texas and there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Senior Sergio Kindle (10 sacks in '08) is expected to continue his development as he uses a combination of exceptional speed and superior strength to get pressure on the quarterback and break up plays at the point of attack.
The linebacking corps boasts a pair of playmakers in seniors Roddrick Muckelroy and Jared Norton, the former serving as the team's top returning tackler (112). Questions surround the secondary as it is believed that three sophomores will earn the bulk of the playing time.
As mentioned, the 'Horns came up with only six INTs in '08 and while Brown knows that is an area in need of serious improvement, he is high on the unit's potential. "We are excited about the defensive backs. And not only because we think they're talented, but there's a lot of them. And the competition is really driving them. They've got to work really hard every day to play."
SPECIAL TEAMS: Both kickers return and that area of the UT arsenal should be fine. Expect Shipley to once again have a monster year returning both kick- offs and punts, something he did at a high level last season when he returned one of each for a TD.
OUTLOOK: McCoy and the Longhorns should have a relatively easy time of it to start the season, taking on UL-Monroe and Wyoming in the first two weeks. The Big 12 lidlifter against Texas Tech is next, but this is not the same Red Raider squad that knocked off Texas last year so expect Brown's troops to exact some revenge. The October 17th showdown with Oklahoma will likely be another one for the ages, and could decide the Big 12 South champ.
Brown owns a 115-26 record while at the helm in Austin, and there is no reason to think he won't add significantly to that impressive mark. Will Texas win the national title? We shall see. One thing is certain though...as long as McCoy is healthy and playing up to his potential, the 'Horns will be in the hunt.
1 comment:
HOOK EM HORNS!!!
Post a Comment