It was a quiet offseason for the Texas Longhorns, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be optimistic about when the 2015 college football season gets going. Here are three reasons why the Longhorns will make the College Football Playoff this season:
3) Switch to spread offense
The Longhorns never quite developed an offensive identity in 2014, ranking 93rd in the country in yards per carry and 105th in yards per passing attempt. Moving to the spread offense plays more to the strengths of Texas' two quarterbacks - returning starter Tyrone Swoopes and redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard - as both are better runners than traditional dropback passers. QB is the Longhorns' weakest position, and the spread allows the offense to give the ball to playmakers has quickly as possible, making Texas' offense much more efficient.
2) Dominant running game
Senior running back Johnathan Gray will be back to lead what should be one of the Big 12's better rushing attacks. During Texas' 3-game win streak in November last year, Gray ran for 258 yards and five touchdowns on just 42 carries, production that should carry over into 2015. Add in the rushing abilities of Swoopes and Heard, and the Longhorns will be extremely tough to stop on the ground.
1) Charlie Strong's second season
Texas faced a lot of attrition at the beginning of the Charlie Strong era last year as several players left school or were suspended, and that contributed to their slow start. Now that everyone with the program is on board for 2015, the Longhorns will get off to a better start, allowing them to post a better record.
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