2-a-Days: Texas and Texas A&M

Texas Longhorns



So it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Big 12 will come down to its top five teams. But, that fifth team is widely regarded to be Texas and they aren't being taken very seriously this season. Mainly because they've lost more starters compared to the other teams in the conference, but that doesn't mean they don't have talent all around the board. What are the odds that Texas surprises and wins the Big 12 conference?


THE OFFENSE: Texas led a very balanced offense that got the most out of their talent, which was pretty good. As Colt McCoy has proven before, he's a great dual-threat QB who is kind of lost in the shuffle as far as returning conference QBs are concerned, but he did have an issue with throwing a few too many interceptions. While he may not be the program-changer like Vince Young was, he's still a great QB who has proven how good he can be with his 2006 season not too far in the rear view mirror. As long as he trims down that INT total a little bit, he should be getting Davey O'Brien award attention, possibly Heisman consideration. The RB situation is pretty much set even if Jamaal Charles left for the NFL early. Vondrell McGee saw some meaningful time as a backup RB in the offense averaging about 25 yards per game. The Longhorns have been stacked at RB over the last few years, and while this season should have some younger guys starting, it should still be ultra-productive. Joining the very promising McGee is one of the top recruits from a couple of seasons ago, Foswhitt Whittaker. He's strong enough to be an everydown back but he's shown at the high school level that speed is his main weapon of choice. Look for both McGee and Whittaker to be big play guys who can go to the outside and burn defenses. Even though Limas Sweed and Nate Jones have departed, it's not like Quan Cosby isn't number one receiver material. Alongside Cosby will be also-senior Jordan Shipley. Both Shipley and Cosby are fast enough to be legitimate deep threats who won't be an issue as a one-two tandem at WR. I honestly think the losses of Sweed and Jones are overrated with the talent Texas has at this position. Malcolm Williams looks, at least on paper, to be a faster version of Roy Williams while he was at Texas. He's a redshirt freshman and could emerge as the best Texas receiver this season. Losing Jermichael Finley may be bigger than it seems at the TE spot, but Blaine Irby should be ready to produce in his role. There are a few guys that you should probably know about at WR that are freshman this season, and those include Dan Buckner, DeSean Hales, and Antoine Hicks. Any one of these guys may see time in reserve roles or might get some time if one of the starters gets hurt or something, but this group will be ridiculously good by 2010. The offensive line may be the third best in the conference behind Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, but they do get four of five back up front led by Adam Ulatoski at OT. Of course, starring at RG once again will be Cedric Dockery.


THE DEFENSE: Even though the offense was potent a year ago, Texas' defense was somewhat average and they've been referred to as "soft" lately. In comes Will Muschamp, the enthusiastic defensive coordinator from Auburn, who will make sure that this team is insanely aggressive and that they'll blitz the hell out of poor QBs. The Longhorns were tough against the run, but they'll lose the rocks of their inside defense, notably Frank Okam. Roy Miller will be getting his first chance at starting every game and played great when he was called upon. The senior should rack up the sacks and stuff the running game; he's a very talented and big DT. Junior DT Lamarr Houston should star opposite Miller on the line and these guys won't miss a beat from the Okam/Lokey combo from a year ago. Brian Orakpo is the top returning guy in the sacks department even while nursing an injury. He's got good speed off of the line and is great as rushing the passer. Henry Melton may be more famous for being the Brian Toal of the Texas offense as the power back around the goal line from a few years back, but Melton will be shifting over as a full-time DE and it'll be interesting to see how he plays with a lot of attention being paid towards Orakpo. I really do like Texas' group of LBs. This is an athletic bunch who won't miss many tackles. Rashad Bobino should be the leader of the corps while Sergio Kindle will start for the Longhorn defense. Kindle and Bobino are fast guys which will suit Muschamp's blitzing schemes very well; look for big years out of these two LBs. The secondary has been an issue for Texas over the last few seasons, but at least they get Ryan Palmer back at CB. He's a very fast athlete, but watch out for Deon Beasley on the other side. Beasley was good when he played last season and should be even better in a starting role. Earl Thomas may be the key player for the defense filling in for Marcus Griffin at safety, but the redshirt freshman is excellent in coverage and will be fine.


THE SCHEDULE:

Aug. 30 Florida Atlantic
Sept. 6 at UTEP
Sept. 13 Arkansas
Sept. 20 Rice
Oct. 4 at Colorado
Oct. 11 vs. Oklahoma
Oct. 18 Missouri
Oct. 25 Oklahoma State
Nov. 1 at Texas Tech
Nov. 8 Baylor
Nov. 15 at Kansas
Nov. 28 Texas A&M

Howard Schnellenberger will get to see exactly how tough Texas could be in the opener, but the game that intrigues me is against Arkansas. That rivalry should be rekindled. The Big 12 schedule of course gives Oklahoma on a neutral field, but they get Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M at home. Problem is, Colorado, Texas Tech, and Kansas are on the road.

Don't Even Think About It:
Ehhhhh.....Maybe....: Oklahoma, @ Kansas
Good/Probable Shot At It: Florida Atlantic, @ UTEP, Arkansas, Rice, @ Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma State, @ Texas Tech, Baylor, Texas A&M


THE OUTLOOK: I really do like Texas this season. The Longhorns are pretty much getting overlooked in a lot of ways, and even though they only get a few technical returning starters back defensively, the run defense will be stout once again and the pass defense might even get better if Texas can reach home on their more aggressive blitzing style. Will Muschamp will energize this very athletic defense to do some really good things, and, oh yeah, the offense. Colt McCoy will get some Heisman hype as the year progresses with a good WR corps that has some experienced talent atop the depth chart and some unproven yet potentially explosive freshman backing those guys up. Even though Oklahoma is better on paper, Texas is still my pick to win the Big 12 South and the Big 12. Surprise, I know.


BOWL GAME?: Fiesta Bowl.











Texas A&M Aggies



Dennis Franchione is out, Mike Sherman is in. The former head coach of the Green Bay Packers returns to Texas A&M to try taking this program to its fullest potential. Still yearning the respect of a big-time program, are the Aggies ready to make that leap this year and be the surprise team in the Big 12?


THE OUTLOOK: With most teams switching from basic pro-style sets to spread offenses, Texas A&M is actually going backwards, relative to the rest of CFB. Mike Sherman will try out a west coast scheme with QB Stephen McGee taking snaps from under center. He's apparently excited to be playing in the offense, but whether or not he transforms into a pocket passer is yet to be seen. McGee is at his best when he's running around and moving outside of the pocket, but I don't think Sherman has any plans of restraining his abilities. He completed close to 60% of his passes a year ago so while he gets tagged as a scrambler, it's not like he's a bad passer by any means. Mike Goodson is a speedster with some of the best wheels on the team and he now has the position to himself. Javorskie Lane has become famous for his massive stature as a RB, but he'll be moving to take on more of a FB role. Even so, expect Lane to be the guy to pound the football into the endzone in the red zone and get more than a couple carries or so a game, but he's mainly going to use his size as a blocker. Goodson though really has to capitalize on his opportunity to shine and become one of the Big 12's best running backs, if he isn't already. The Aggies have to do a bit of rebuilding with the WRs, but there's enough talent here not to get too worried. Pierre Brown isn't an ideal number one receiver, but he's good enough to get the job done. The position is still in a bit of flux, but expect Terrance McCoy or a healthy Howard Morrow to be the number two option. Jeff Fuller should also be used as a true freshman and may provide the spark for the passing game. Losing TE Martellus Bennett kills, but Jamie McCoy should be a good enough replacement. OT Travis Schneider is the only guy that will be coming back. He's a big dude at 6'8, but that doesn't change the fact that the O-line could be a potential trouble spot. Vincent Williams will be the starter at guard and will finally get an opportunity to really break out.


THE DEFENSE: It wasn't a great defense, ranking 83rd in total defense, but maybe new defensive coordinator Joe Kines can turn it around. Kines, like the previously mentioned Will Muschamp, will blitz a little bit more and make A&M play a little more aggressively. The Aggies didn't get nearly enough sacks last season and hope is that Cyril Obiozor can produce a bit more. Obiozor isn't the best pass rusher around, but being a senior, the Aggie coaching staff is hoping he can build upon his nice overall season. The loss of Chris Harrington will hurt, but if Obiozor can get a wee bit better, it should lessen the blow. The most sure-thing of the defensive line will be DT Kellen Heard. Heard is a gargantuan line-plugger weighing in at over 340 pounds, and while that may compromise his athleticism a little bit, that size is a huge advantage for Texas A&M's 65th ranked run defense. Lucas Patterson is built a little bit more like a DE, at least compared to Heard, but if there's one A&M defender that could break out, Patterson might be your guy. The DT is a young one as a sophomore, but he had a decent season as a backup and should improve in the little areas. The LBs will be going through a bit of an overhaul, but at least Matt Featherston will be the core of the threesome. Including Featherston, Garrick Williams and Von Miller contrast from last year's corps being a little more athletic and speedy. However, they haven't proven much as a group and are short on depth. The secondary should be reliable, but they need for Danny Gorrer to be 100% at CB. Jordan Peterson will be moving over to play FS this season and that switch may work out for him. That move causes Devin Gregg to shift over to SS and he also did a decent job in the backfield a year ago.


THE SCHEDULE:

Aug. 30 Arkansas State
Sept. 6 at New Mexico
Sept. 20 Miami
Sept. 27 Army
Oct. 4 at Oklahoma State
Oct. 11 Kansas State
Oct. 18 Texas Tech
Oct. 25 at Iowa State
Nov. 1 Colorado
Nov. 8 Oklahoma
Nov. 15 at Baylor
Nov. 28 at Texas

Even though New Mexico and Miami are far from being gimmies, A&M could be looking at a 4-0 start heading into the Oklahoma State game. The schedule is actually pretty favorable with Texas Tech, Colorado, and Oklahoma coming to Kyle Field.

Don't Even Think About It:
Ehhhhh.....Maybe....: @ Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, @ Texas
Good/Probable Shot At It: Arkansas State, @ New Mexico, Miami, Army, Kansas State, @ Iowa State, Colorado, @ Baylor


THE OUTLOOK: While this season won't be bad by any stretch of the imagination, Texas A&M is probably looking at 6-6. This isn't a great team with the defensive situation. Not that defense is horrible, but they are going to be mediocre and vulnerable to getting caught up in a shootout every now and then. The offense could become somewhat dangerous as long as McGee limits mistakes like I'm sure he will and keeps handing the football off to Mike Goodson who's bound to make his fair share of plays. I just don't think this team will set the world on fire and to be honest, I really, really dislike the Sherman hire. I don't think he's the guy to get this program into elite status, but for this year, I think the players in place are definitely good enough for a mid-tier bowl game.


BOWL GAME?: Insight Bowl.