Season Overview
Texas reached the College Football Playoff for the first time last season and will be one of the top choices to make it back there this season. The Longhorns also begin life in the SEC this year after bolting from the Big 12. Fortunately for the ‘Horns, three top conference contenders are nowhere to be found on the schedule.
Betting Odds
- Odds to win national championship (Bet365): +800
- Odds to make CFP: -220
- Odds to win SEC: +300
- Wins over/under: 10.5
Texas returns 15 starters this season from a team that beat Alabama, won the Big 12, and reached the CFP last season, where they fell to Washington in a national semifinal Sugar Bowl. Seven starters are back on an offense that averaged 478 yards per game last year, including QB Quinn Ewers (16-6 SU, 12-10 ATS as the starter) and four along the offensive line. Eight starters are back on a defense that allowed 337 YPG last season, including six of last year’s top eight tacklers.
The Longhorns make an early-season trip north to Ann Arbor for a rare game against a big-time non-conference opponent. Texas might catch the Wolverines at the right time, after the defending national champs lost significant talent over the offseason, including Coach Harbaugh. The ‘Horns later shoot for revenge against Oklahoma, get Georgia at home, and finish at Texas A&M. They also miss Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU.
The Longhorns should be 6-0 heading into the Georgia game, and they should win every game after that. Barring the unexpected, we don’t see two losses on that slate.
Pick
Texas over 10.5 wins
