Why Texas may be back in 2022
Image via Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News
The Opening:
Another season and another TEXAS IS BACK outcry is on the horizon. However, could this be the year it finally comes into fruition?
Texas is coming off a horrendous 5-7 season under first year Head Coach Steve Sarkisian, in which Texas lost 6 straight games (one to Kansas) after a meltdown in the Red River Rivalry. Baylor won the Big 12 Championship in dramatic fashion over Oklahoma State, ending Oklahoma’s run of 6 straight Big 12 titles. In 2022, the Big 12 is wide open and it could finally be Texas’ year to emerge to win the conference for the first time since 2009.
The Thick of it:
Before I give you a few of my predictions for the Big 12 let’s take a deeper dive into this Texas team.
The Texas offense will be once again, lead by Bijan Robinson in the backfield. The heisman contender ran for 1,127 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and should improve on those numbers. Why? Because Texas should have one of the most explosive wide receiving cores in the country. Star WR Xavier Worthy returns off a freshmen season in which he snagged 62 balls for 981 yards and 12 TDs. Incoming transfers Agiae Hall (Alabama) and Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming) on the outside and TE Jahleel Billingsley (Alabama) up the seam, should prevent defenses from stacking the box to stop the run. The question is who will emerge under center. Returning is Hudson Card who was the opening day starter last year before being benched but, he will have to fight off the highly touted transfer from Ohio State, Quincy Ewers. We’ll see how this plays out come camp, but I love Ewers and what he can bring not just talent wise, but the swagger he brings along with him. Ewers has that Baker Mayfield “ F you” type moxy to him, something that’s been missing in the Long Horns program for quite some time. Ewers was the #1 QB recruit in the class of 2023 before reclassifying into the 2022 class and spent the season in Columbus redshirting behind CJ Stroud. I even like Ewers as a dark horse heisman candidate (more on that later).
Their is no doubt Texas will put up points but they will need better play from their offensive line. Left tackle may be an issue but the Longhorns brought in an outstanding class of offensive linemen this past recruiting cycle which will improve the depth up front. It wouldn’t shock me to see some of those big men crack the 2 deep and see significant time early in the season.
The defense will have to improve if Texas wants to make a serious run at the Big 12 title. Texas’ defense was as awful as one could think last season, letting up over 31 points per game and ranking in the 100s in a lot of important defensive statistical categories . Ex-TCU head coach Gary Patterson joins the staff as a defensive analyst role which I believe will pay off big time for this unit. Texas has some guys returning on that side of the ball but their overall play could make or break the Longhorns seasons.
The Picks:
Maybe I’m foolish, but I’m buying the Texas is back hype this season. It could be the typical sucker bet like usual from the Horns but I’m a believer in Quinn Ewers. A loss to Alabama week 2 is imminent, but Texas has a very manageable schedule. They get most of the tougher Big 12 teams at home (WVU, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU), and have a week off between road games at Oklahoma State and at Kansas State (the toughest part of the schedule). In fact I like Texas to win the Big 12 this year at (+280) on DraftKings Sportsbook and may even flurry a few bucks on Texas to sneak into the College Football Playoff at (+1000). I’ll also be playing Texas over 8.5 wins at (+100) on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
For my super sleeper play, give me some money on Quinn Ewers to win the Heisman at (+2800). If Texas is as good as I’m betting on them being, he’ll be in NY for the Heisman ceremony.
