The Texas Longhorns had another disappointing season in 2016, and it resulted in the firing of Charlie Strong. Now, Tom Herman is taking over the talented Longhorns roster, and the sky appears to be the limit for this team. Their first goal is to return to the postseason, but Herman also believes they can compete for a conference title. How good will they be this season? Here's a game-by-game prediction of Texas' schedule:
Week 1: vs. Maryland Terrapins
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
The Terps were better than expected under D.J. Durkin last year and they have the talent to be a good defensive team, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Texas will be looking to make a statement at the start of the Herman era and will be able to do that in this game.
Week 2: vs. San Jose State Spartans
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
Texas' lone matchup against a Group of 5 team will be an easy win and a tune-up game before a road test against USC.
Week 3: at USC Trojans
Prediction: LOSS (2-1)
This will be a coming out party for the Longhorns - even though it will come in a loss. Heisman favorite Sam Darnold and the Trojans are one of a handful of legitimate national championship favorites and are extremely talented on both sides of the ball. I expect Texas to be able to keep pace with them for most of the game before USC wins by a touchdown.
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: at Iowa State Cyclones
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
Texas comes off their bye week to play on the road on a Thursday night, though it comes against a lackluster ISU team. Given the talent gap between the two teams, Texas should win easily.
Week 6: vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
Texas and Kansas State have split their last four meetings with the home team winning each of the last five games between these two conference foes. I expect that to continue thanks to an explosive game from Shane Buechele.
Week 7: vs. Oklahoma Sooners (Dallas, TX)
Prediction: LOSS (4-2)
Much like the USC game, Texas will play admirably well in a loss. Oklahoma's defense could be the best in the conference, and even though they lost a lot of talent on offense, quarterback Baker Mayfield will have them playing at a high level. The Sooners will win a shootout.
Week 8: vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Prediction: WIN (5-2)
This will be the first big win of the season for the Longhorns after a couple of close calls. Mason Rudolph and James Washington returned in hopes of leading the Cowboys to a conference title, but that's not going to happen after this. Even though Oklahoma State has won six of the last eight matchups between these two, Texas has the offense to match and a better defense. Plus, they're playing at home.
Week 9: at Baylor Bears
Prediction: WIN (6-2)
Baylor is still a mess in the post-Art Briles era and don't have the overall talent - on either side of the ball - to compete with Texas.
Week 10: at TCU Horned Frogs
Prediction: WIN (7-2)
This is another streak that will come to an end. Texas has lost to the Horned Frogs three straight times, but with major question marks all over TCU's defense, I give the edge to a Longhorns team that is suddenly red hot.
Week 11: vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Prediction: WIN (8-2)
C'mon, it's Kansas. Texas isn't going to lose to them two years in a row.
Week 12: at West Virginia Mountaineers
Prediction: LOSS (8-3)
This will be the only real disappointing loss of the season for Texas. Playing in Morgantown is always a tough proposition, and new West Virginia quarterback Will Grier is poised to be one of the biggest breakout stars in the country. WVU will be a contender in the Big 12 and will prove it in this game.
Week 13: vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Prediction: WIN (9-3)
Until Texas Tech figures out how to play defense, Texas is going to run through the Red Raiders. Expect them to score over 50 points in a sizable win.
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