Sunday: Squaring Expectations

I think Texas will be good on offense next season but will experience some learning curves on both sides of the ball. Even though experience exists with the receivers there’s little chemistry between them and Quinn. That, in my opinion will need to happen before they can come out hitting on all cylinders. Defense is similar with new faces but hopefully can pull it together by the time conference starts. 
 

I think they have a tougher schedule than last year too. Michigan, OU, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas and ATM could all be tough games. 

I agree.  Looking at Texas team last year most believed the running game would be down due to Robinson and Johnson drafted.  It was thought DL would be good even with losing 2 players to the draft.  In fact Sweat and Murphy probably exceeded expectations from most.

This does show Texas is developing players and getting players drafted.  The key is will Baker and Nansen continue to developed players.  That is the question.  
 

Portal has changed everything with being able to plug and play.  In the past grad transfer or JUCO was the model.  But you still need coaching and team chemistry.

Also keep in mind all the teams moving to different conferences in 2024.  Teams expected to do well may be underwhelming.  There is also going to be a few surprise teams as well. 
 

Georgia may have the best overall talent but they will lose key players to the draft.  Ohio State and Ole Miss have been more aggressive in the Portal to win now but not guaranteed they will. Oregon moves to Big 10 that will be interesting to see how they adjust to new conference.  For Texas, Arkansas and A&M will be more than ready to play.

I think 9-3  would be great for moving to the SEC, losing 8 players to the draft and adding to new coaches.  I also think Texas could have 8 potential draft picks on the 2024 roster as well

3 minutes ago, Baron said:

I'm expecting a run that mirrors the first decade this century. OL & QB should be better this year. WR is unexperienced but talentwise is equal to last year. At TE don't sell Helm short. Niblack is a great addition as well. DL and Mike is where the hit comes. You just don't replace three draft picks right in the middle of your defense in one year. Edge should be better. The return of Jahdae Barron is just as big as that of Ewers. Mukuba is definitely a step up. There are some young studs coming in on defense. Simmons, Black, Filsaime and Mack will all play next year. 

 

Agree 💯

I also think Sark needs to go back and read the number one golden rule of football, and that is if they can't stop you (running the ball) keep doing it till they do. Sark sometimes over thinks play calling. The opposite can be said in the red zone, maybe open up the play book a bit more. 

24 minutes ago, Jerry K said:

I think Texas will be good on offense next season but will experience some learning curves on both sides of the ball. Even though experience exists with the receivers there’s little chemistry between them and Quinn. 

Quinn needs to be almost living with those 4-5 dudes this off-season. Rep after rep going through every conceivable pre snap read and dynamic. The speed requires the right timing and cohesion to become as destructive to DBs as this much speed and talent can be. 

As of right now I don’t think Texas is a playoff team, unless the offense is elite. The offense should be playoff worthy, but I have my doubts on defense. Texas was able to run light boxes all year and stop the run. I highly doubt that will be the case in 2024. I don’t see those run stuffing DTs on the roster.  A big key to the defensive improvement we have seen over the last 3 years was the ability to run 3-4 NFL DTs at an offense. Secondary will be better, but they will be asked to do more. Last year the run stopping ability made Catalon unnecessary. I would expect the safeties will be a vital part of stopping the run and that will add to their plate 

Shocked to learn Mack never had more than 7 players drafted in a single year and it only happened twice. Sark will have at least 8 drafted in his third year only 1 of which that came from the transfer portal. It seems that future years will be similar. Is Sark a better developer than Mack’s teams were? I think he might be.

Texas should be good enough to make the 12 team playoffs if:

- Ewers evolves

- the receivers gel and excel as we hope 

- the secondary improves as we expect (hope)

- the edges make up for the big loss in the middle

That’s a lot of ifs, but the portal appears to have been fruitful in filling the major holes. This is a matter of reloading, it seems. 

18 minutes ago, codaxx said:

As of right now I don’t think Texas is a playoff team, unless the offense is elite. The offense should be playoff worthy, but I have my doubts on defense. Texas was able to run light boxes all year and stop the run. I highly doubt that will be the case in 2024. I don’t see those run stuffing DTs on the roster.  A big key to the defensive improvement we have seen over the last 3 years was the ability to run 3-4 NFL DTs at an offense. Secondary will be better, but they will be asked to do more. Last year the run stopping ability made Catalon unnecessary. I would expect the safeties will be a vital part of stopping the run and that will add to their plate 

I meant top 4, not playoffs. Forgot 12 team playoff is here for 24

Sark also won big 12 in his first appearance. Neither Mack or Herman did that. Only Mackovic was other coach to win big 12 in first appearance.