The Texas Longhorns had a disappointing 2016 season that ended in the firing of Charlie Strong, but there is plenty of reasons for optimism in new head coach Tom Herman's first season. With a roster full of young talent, Texas finds themselves ranked in several early 2017 polls. Here's how they rank in the way-too-early top 25 polls published by major publications:
Chat Sports
Ranking: 24
Breakdown: "It may seem weird to see the Longhorns on here - that's how much we think of Tom Herman. Plus, Texas returns virtually everyone on both sides of the ball, making them perhaps the most exciting young team in the country."
USA Today
Ranking: 24
Breakdown: "Does Texas have the same potential as Tom Herman’s first team at Houston, which went 13-1 and won the Peach Bowl? Maybe, but probably not. This team won’t win the Big 12, but a change in culture and a huge uptick in production on offense should find the Longhorns at eight or nine wins in 2017."
ESPN
Ranking: 25
Breakdown: "Former Houston coach Tom Herman won't work miracles in his first season in Austin, but the Longhorns will have a chance to finish among the top four teams in the Big 12. Herman won 13 games in his first season as a head coach, and he'll be inheriting more talent at UT. Quarterback Shane Buechele gives Herman a chance to win right away, but the Longhorns will miss 2,000-yard rusher D'Onta Foreman. As many as 10 starters are expected back on defense, and that's where Herman and his staff need to do the most work. UT will get a big early test at USC on Sept. 16, and the Longhorns will play Big 12 road games at Baylor, TCU and West Virginia."
CBS
Ranking: 20
Breakdown: "Strong left plenty of talent behind. In Tom Herman's first year, the entire culture has been changed. This looks like the beginning of a next gen Big 12 title in Austin."
FOX
Ranking: 20
Breakdown: "As Charlie Strong said on his way out, he “baked the cake. Now it’s Tom Herman’s job to put the icing on it.” Herman inherits a talented roster that finally has some experience, including QB Shane Buechele, All-American T Connor Williams, DT Poona Ford, DEs Malcolm Roach and Breckyn Hager and LB Malik Jefferson. New DC Todd Orlando’s first priority needs to be fixing a beleaguered secondary."
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