2009 Texas NCAA Football Predictions
The Texas Longhorns are coming off a brilliant 12-1 campaign, which was capped off by a 24-21 Fiesta Bowl win over Ohio State, but the Horns want more. They want their second national title this decade. Find out if I have Texas taking home the BCS title in this 2009 college football predictions article. Texas is listed at +400 to win the 2009 BCS championship at Sportsbook.com.
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Offense – Quarterback Colt McCoy, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, helped Texas put one of the most prolific offenses in the country on the field last season. The Horns averaged 42.4 points per game (5th nationally) and 475.8 yards per game (9th nationally). McCoy did it all, throwing for 3,859 yards and 34 touchdowns against just eight interceptions and running for 561 yards and 11 more scores. With four starters returning on the offensive line, there’s no reason to expect any different from one of the best signal callers in the land. McCoy’s no. 1 target will be wide receiver Jordan Shipley, who caught 89 passes for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2008. Shipley is also valuable in the return game. Head coach Mack Brown would like to see McCoy run the ball less, but that means one of six tailbacks competing for the starting job will have to step up. Right now it looks like sophomore Cody Johnson is the favorite to get the most totes at the running back position. If the production stays where it was last season by the running back spot, the Horns will have to rely on their QB to move the sticks with his legs once again.
Defense – The defense, no doubt, suffers a blow with the loss of star defensive end Brian Orakpo. Orakpo helped the Longhorns rank no. 1 nationally in quarterback sacks last season. Texas does not have any pass rushers of his caliber remaining, but defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has decided to move linebacker Sergio Kindle up on the line to help cushion the blow. A young secondary was exposed often last season as the Horns ranked just 104th nationally in pass defense. Now those young players have a year of experience under their belts and I expect them to play with much more confidence this season. Strong safety Earl Thomas, who had two interceptions in his freshman season, could be poised for a breakout year. Jared Norton and Roddrick Muckelroy lead a talented linebacker unit. Muckelroy is the team’s top returning tackler, picking up 112 stops last season.
Prediction: 2nd Big 12 South – The Longhorns will be right there in the title hunt this season with games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State appearing to be the only possible stumbling blocks. The Longhorns are a perfect 11-0 against against the Cowboys under Mack Brown, but the Sooners will be out to avenge last year’s loss and they appear to have the better defense. The head-to-head with OU will likely decide who wins the Big 12 South and could even decide who gets to play for a national title. Texas is listed at +110 to win the Big 12 South Division at BetUS.
If you want to read more then check out Craig Trapp’s 2009 Texas football predictions.
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