Double Coverage 08-30-2019 by The Daily Texan

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Double Coverage VOL. 14 ISSUE 1 | AUG. 30, 2019

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August 30. 2019

STAFF PICKS

MARCUS KRUM

WILLS LAYTON

DONNAVAN SMOOT

MYAH TAYLOR

STEPHEN WAGNER

ALEX BRISEÑO

CLARK DALTON

DANIELA PEREZ

CAMERON PA R K E R

LOUISIANA TECH AT NO. 10 TEXAS

TEXAS

NO. 11 OREGON VS. NO. 16 AUBURN

AUBURN

OREGON

AUBURN

OREGON

AUBURN

OREGON

NO. 19 WISCONSIN AT USF

WISCONSIN

NORTHWESTERN AT NO. 25 STANFORD

NORTHS TA N F O R D N O R T H WESTERN WESTERN

NORTHWESTERN

S TA N F O R D S TA N F O R D S TA N F O R D

S TA N F O R D S TA N F O R D

VIRGINIA TECH AT BOSTON COLLEGE

BOSTON COLLEGE

VIRGINIA TECH

BOSTON COLLEGE

VIRGINIA TECH

BOISE STATE AT FLORIDA STATE

BOISE S TAT E

FLORIDA S TAT E

BOISE S TAT E

FLORIDA S TAT E

BOISE S TAT E

O K S TAT E

NOTRE DAME

OKLAHOMA

BYU

U TA H

OKLAHOMA STATE AT OREGON STATE

O K S TAT E O K S TAT E O K S TAT E

NO. 9 NOTRE DAME AT LOUISVILLE

NOTRE DAME

HOUSTON AT NO. 4 OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA

NO. 14 UTAH AT BYU

U TA H

OKLAHOMA

U TA H

OKLAHOMA

U TA H

DOUBLE COVERAGE EDITOR’S NOTE The Texas hype train has arrived. A top 10 ranking heading into the 2019 season has the Longhorns at the top Double Coverage Editor Design Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Cover Photo Writers:

Marcus Krum Maria Perez Joshua Guenther Megan Shankle Texas Athletics

grace magazine covers also saw a team thin out from injury. All this comes to fruition at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium against Louisiana Tech. In head coach Tom Herman’s tenure in Austin, season opening losses have been the one thing he can’t shake. Can Texas shake the demons of back-to-back Maryland losses to open the season? Or will the Longhorns struggle again in Week One? We’ll find out Saturday night.

Daniela Perez

Clark Dalton

Donnavan Smoot

Wills Layton

Myah Taylor

Cameron Parker

of the College Football conversation once again. But an offseason that saw junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger

Stephen Wagner

Marcus Krum, Double Coverage Editor

BOSTON COLLEGE

DOUBLE COVERAGE

BIG 12

POWER RANKINGS

By Marcus Krum @marcuskrum

1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS Even after Kyler Murray’s magical, Heisman-winning year ended and the star quarterback packed his bags for the NFL, the conference still runs through Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners brought in Alabama graduate transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts to fill the (allegedly) 5-foot-10inch hole left by Murray, and once again, Lincoln Riley has a top-tier quarterback to fit into his prolific offense.

2. TEXAS LONGHORNS It looks like it’s just about time to catch a ride on the Texas hype train. The Longhorns will sport an offense that returns big-name starters in junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger, senior receiver Collin Johnson and a talented offensive line. The defense, however, has quite a few holes to fill after losing most of the starting front seven from last season. The good news? Texas does not play Maryland Week One.

5. BAYLOR BEARS The Bears gave Texas a home scare in a 23-17 thriller at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium last October. That game was no fluke. Matt Rhule has Baylor looking like a sleeper contender for the conference championship. While it may still be a year away, this Baylor squad is on its way back.

3. IOWA STATE CYCLONES If programs were stocks, Iowa State would be the hottest one on the market. Matt Campbell has turned the program around in just three years as the head coach of the Cyclones. Led by one of the conference’s best defenses, look for the team from Ames, Iowa to make a run at the Big 12 Championship.

This spot in the rankings is not to say that the Red Raiders will not be a tough out on any given Saturday. But until they prove otherwise, it’s a long road to the top of the Big 12 for Tech, with head coach and offensive wunderkind Kliff Kingsbury heading off to the Arizona Cardinals.

6. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS It’s tough to count out Mike Gundy, but there’s not much going for the Cowboys heading into this season. While the offensive talent remains high in junior receiver Tylan Wallace and redshirt sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard, the defense will continue to be a point of contention for this squad.

9. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS Bill Snyder’s retirement after his 27th season — this time for good — has left the Wildcats in a clear state of rebuilding. A 5-7 finish in 2018 left them out of bowl season, and with a first-year head coach it may be tough for them to make it back to the six-win plateau.

10. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

7. WesT VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

4. TCU HORNED FROGS 2018 was a down year for the Horned Frogs. After starting the season ranked in the top 20, TCU finished 7-6, including a loss to consistent bottom-of-the-conference Kansas. But junior receiver Jalen Reagor, one of the country’s best big-play threats, should help turn 2019 into a turnaround season for the Horned Frogs.

8. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

The Mountaineers look poised to take a step back this season. Losing head coach Dana Holgorsen to Houston and quarterback Will Grier to the NFL leaves huge shoes to fill and a lot to prove for a team that narrowly missed out on a conference championship berth a year ago.

Even Les Miles can’t save Kansas from the cellar. Although this year’s team may be more intriguing than most that come out of Lawrence, Kansas, it sure seems like an uphill battle for Miles in his first year at the helm of the Jayhawks. Until the Mad Hatter can prove he can turn Kansas around, they’ll be sitting at No. 10.

BUY OR SELL: BesT BETs for WEEK 1 By Cameron Parker

It’s time for year two of Cameron’s best bets and possibly the worst column in The Daily Texan history. This year, I’m adding a couple new weekly features to the column. The first new feature is that I’ll pick the Texas game each week while keeping my lock of the week pick that I introduced halfway through last year. I’m also adding a future bet and a “degenerate gambler” bet that I suggest you only bet on if, as the title suggests, you’re a degenerate gambler. And as a reminder, I’m not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just a college student who watches too much college football and places bets he can’t afford — like most of y’all. This weekly column is where I will give you my best bets for the week in college football. I

am not responsible for any money lost, so don’t request money from me on Venmo. Texas game Louisiana Tech Texas (-20.5)

In case you didn’t know, Tom Herman is 0–2 in season openers at Texas. He also has yet to face a team that isn’t Maryland in Week One. With all the bulletin board material Louisiana Tech and Terry Bradshaw have given the Longhorns, I think we’re in for a beatdown — but I also thought that last year and the year before that. I think it will be a close first half but Texas’ athleticism and talent will wear out the Bulldogs in the second half. Look for an angry junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger and wide receiver unit after Louisiana Tech safety

@camerondparker

L’Jarius Sneed said the Texas receivers “can’t handle press (coverage).” Between Bradshaw and Sneed, Ehlinger will have little need for anymore motivation — oh wait, Baker Mayfield opened his mouth too. Pick: Texas (-20.5) Lock of the week Fresno State at USC (-13.5)

Ah yes, the annual tradition of hyping up USC even though they have one of the most incompetent athletic departments in the country. Fresno State finished 12-2 last season and wiped the floor with Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl, and — by the way — USC lost to Arizona State last year. As long as Clay Helton is the head coach of the Trojans, it’s better to bet against him

rather than for him. Pick: Fresno State (+13.5) Degenerate gambler bet Houston at Oklahoma (-23)

I’m not following the Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma hype train that has many picking the Sooners for the College Football Playoff. Are we sure senior quarterback Hurts is good? He’s not Baker Mayfield nor is he Kyler Murray, and even I could be plugged into Lincoln Riley’s system and throw for 200 yards per game. Hurts had an Alabama defense to bail him out for the past two years, while I’m not sure Oklahoma even has a fense currently. Houston senior quarterback D’Eriq King is a BETS

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august 30, 2019

GAMES TO WATCH By Clark Dalton @Clarktdalton1T

No. 11 Oregon AT No. 16 Auburn Saturday, 6:30 p.m., ABC

The action for this week peaks in a rematch of the 2010 national championship game. Oregon is guided by senior quarterback Justin Herbert, who is making his ultimate case as a top draft pick. In 2018, Herbert threw for 29 touchdowns with a passer rating of 144.7. Meanwhile, Auburn is trying to return to form after a surprising 8-5 record in 2018. The Tiger defensive line is stacked with senior defensive tackle Derrick Brown, senior defensive end Marlon Davidson and junior linebacker Nick Coe, who ravaged offensive gameplans last season with 61 combined tackles. This game serves as an opportunity for both teams to launch into the top 10.

No. 9 Notre Dame at Louisville Monday, 7:00 p.m., ABC

HEISMAN WATCH The return of college football is upon us. Although Florida and Miami officially kicked off the 2019 college football season last Saturday, the majority of teams will open their season this week. Even in the first week of the season, Heisman contenders will look to make their mark and establish themselves as early favorites for college football’s most prestigious award.

After a 30-3 loss at the hands of Clemson in the College Football Playoff, the Fighting Irish are looking to avenge postseason frustration and prove doubters wrong. Senior quarterback Ian Book surpassed expectations last season, completing 68% of his passes. Notre Dame also returns multiple starters from a unit that allowed only 18 points per game last season. Louisville fell off a cliff last season after the departure of quarterback Lamar Jackson, falling to a record of 2-10. Upsetting a highly ranked Notre Dame team would drive the Tua Tagovailoa — Cardinals in the right direction, putting them back in the ACC mix. Quarterback, Alabama Despite controversially losHouston at No. 4 Oklahoma ing last year’s Heisman race to Sunday, 6:30 p.m., ABC Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, juHead coach Lincoln Riley has been called the quarterback whisperer after developing quarterbacks Baker nior Tagovailoa has been a Vegas Mayfield and Kyler Murray into college football superstars. This year, Riley will try to work his magic on Ala- preseason favorite. Tagovailoa bama graduate transfer Jalen Hurts. The Sooner’s first test will be against an old Big 12 rival in Dana Holgors- comes off of a season in which en, who left West Virginia for Houston this offseason in an intriguing move that may help the Cougars go from he led the NCAA in passer efgood to great. Last season, quarterback D’Eriq King scored 50 total touchdowns, and with a veteran coach ficiency rating and the SEC like Holgorsen this number could skyrocket. Get your popcorn ready for this game, because two dynamic in passing yards, total yards offenses are, ready to unleash their full arsenal. per play, pass completion percentage and Florida Atlantic at No. 5 Ohio State passing touchdowns. Saturday,11:00 p.m., FOX

Usually, a Week One Ohio State game against a mid-major team flies under the radar. However, that is definitely not the case this year. The Buckeyes are without former head coach Urban Meyer and are now led by Ryan Day, who has huge shoes to fill following Meyer. Sophomore transfer quarterback Justin Fields was brought in to pick up where Dwayne Haskins left off before leaving for the NFL, and adds an additional element to the offense thanks to his speed. Florida Atlantic is looking to bounce back after a 5-7 season. The Owls have one of the best tight ends in college football in senior Harrison Bryant, who put up 662 total yards last season and could show up big on a national stage. Overall, this game comes down to a team who is trying to maintain a winning philosophy while the other is trying to carve it.

Northwestern AT No. 25 Stanford

Saturday, 3:00pm FOX

This matchup pits rising powers in the Pac-12 and Big Ten against each other. Northwestern snuck into the Big Ten championship game last year, and return to the field with senior defensive lineman Joe Gaziano, who earned All-Big Ten honors last season. Stanford’s senior quarterback K.J. Costello is returning after a 2018 passer rating of 155. This battle will gauge each team’s standing, and it will decide which team is going to take the next step this season.

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As one of Alabama’s best quarterbacks in recent memory, Tagovailoa will be playing for more than a Heisman Trophy this year — he’s also playing to prove that last year’s 44-16 blowout loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship was a one-off performance, not the beginning of the end of head coach Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty.

defenses. In his final two games of the season, Lawrence threw for a combined 674 yards and HEISMAN six touchdowns in the

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Trevor Lawrence — Quarterback, Clemson

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Former Texas running back Cedric Benson carries the ball downfield donning the No. 32. Texas Football will wear a No. 32 decal on its helmets this season to honor Bensonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory.

A lasting legacy By Daniela Perez | @ danielap3rez

T E X A S F E AT U R E

CEDRIC BENSON

NO. 32, RUNNING BACK copyright texas athletics, and reproduced with permission

Former Texas running back Cedric Benson heads downfield past blockers against Arkansas on September 11, 2004. Benson ran for 188 yards and a touchdown during Texas’ 22-20 win. aturday will mark two weeks since former Texas running back Cedric Benson passed away in a motorcycle accident. Benson, who played at Texas from 2001-2004, is remembered by many as one of the best running backs in school history. As the Longhorn community continues to mourn Benson’s passing, Texas Football announced its plan to honor his legacy by wearing a No. 32 decal on the back on their helmets. “I think there was kind of a fog over the team the day Cedric passed because of the way he carried himself as a person (and) as a player here,” junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger said. “Everyone knew how special he was and what he meant to the University. Our thoughts are definitely with his family and friends, it was something you never want to see and we’re obviously going to wear 32 in his honor on our helmets. That’ll never be a thought that leaves this team.” Although it has been 15 years since Longhorn fans last saw Benson in Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, his legacy lives on through his accomplishments on and off the field. “Obviously when you lose someone to an accident that young, there’s no other word than tragic that comes to mind,” Texas head coach Tom Herman said during Monday’s presser. “Cedric was one of the best that’s ever played here and he’s (going to) be missed by a lot.” Benson was a high school standout and, once at Texas, an obvious Heisman candidate. At Midland Lee, he tallied 8,423 career rushing yards and led his team to three consecutive 5A state titles. At Texas, he ran for 5,540 career rushing yards, which ranks tenth in NCAA Division I history. copyright texas athletics, and reproduced with permission

Former Texas running back Cedric Benson stiff-arms a Michigan defender in the Longhorns’ 38-37 win over the Wolverines on January 1, 2005. Benson recorded 70 rush yards in his final game at Texas. Junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger watched Benson play from a young age. Though they never personally met, Benson left an impression on Ehlinger as he did with the rest of the Longhorn faithful. “It was incredible, growing up, being able to see a guy compete like that, the way he ran the football, and the passion that he played the game of football (with),” Ehlinger said. “From what I’ve heard it correlated with his life — he loved life, he was a special person.” In a locker room in which the oldest player was just eight years old when Benson wrapped up his Texas career, the primary memory most would have of the star running back was what they saw on television growing up. Yet the ripples of his passing are still profoundly felt throughout the team. “It’s very unfortunate, a ton of respect,” senior offensive linemen Zach Shackelford said. “I never met the guy personally, but the stories I’ve heard, he seems like an unbelievable man

and unbelievable football player.” For senior defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, this number takes on a new meaning. Roach has sported the No. 32 for the entirety of his Texas career. What was once just a jersey number now represents a legacy. “It really didn’t hit me until we got our jerseys in the locker room a few days ago, trying them on,” Roach said. “Just seeing that jersey, I was like, ‘Man.’ Just seeing the number 32 all over the TV, just knowing he’s a Longhorn legend, country-wide legend. Being able to wear that number and have something in common I feel like is big.” As the Longhorns await the kickoff to their season opener against Louisiana Tech, they will hold a moment of silence in honor of Benson. With ‘32’ on the back of every helmet, the Longhorn faithful in attendance on Saturday night will feel Benson’s presence at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium one more time.

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Jumping into the school year like...

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august 30, 2019

OPPONENTS TO WATCH

NO. 8

J’MAr SMITH

QUARTERBACK

When Louisiana Tech met No. 6 LSU last fall in Baton Rouge, the Tigers came out on top 38-21. But early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs trailed by just three points. Quarterbacking for the Louisiana Tech side was then-junior J’Mar Smith, who threw for 330 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. The Bulldogs may not have been able to hold on against the superior LSU team, but with Smith at the helm, their offensive production proved solid. Despite going cold at points, Smith helped lead the team to an 8–5 record last season. Smith, who was selected for All-Conference USA Honorable Mention in 2018, passed for 300-plus yards in four games and made plays on the ground, too. In Smith’s last outing in 2018 against Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl, he brought Louisiana Tech back from a 7-3 halftime deficit with both a passing and rushing touchdown that helped secure the team’s victory. In his third year as the starter, Smith may give the young Texas defense some trouble in the season opener.

BY MYAH TAYLOR @t_myah

In just over a week, Texas will host one of the nation’s top teams in the No. 6 LSU Tigers. But before the Longhorns prepare for one of the biggest games of their season, they must first face a Louisiana Tech squad with talent on both sides of the ball. Here are four Bulldog players to watch for on Saturday:

NO. 85

WILLIE BAKER

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

The biggest star of the 2018 Louisiana Tech squad was then-senior defensive lineman Jaylon Ferguson. However, after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the NCAA career sack leader will no longer be leading the charge for the Bulldog defense. Joining Ferguson in his departure were other key starters on the defensive front and defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Among those returning to the Louisiana Tech defensive front is defensive end Willie Baker, who will have to assume a leadership position in Ferguson’s absence. Last season, Baker showed the potential to lead this new-look defense, most notably against Hawaii. Like his quarterback Smith, Baker had big moments against the Rainbow Warriors last December, recording five tackles for loss and four sacks. With the departure of veteran players like left tackle Calvin Anderson and Patrick Vahe along with position changes on Texas’s offensive line, the Longhorns will have to look for ways to slow down Baker.

NO. 6

NO. 21

WIDE RECEIVER

CORNERBACK

AdRIAN HARDY

Much of the Bulldogs’ offensive firepower comes from junior wide receiver Adrian Hardy. Last season, Hardy recorded six touchdowns and led his team with 75 receptions for 1145 yards. The Houston native returns as Louisiana Tech’s most dynamic wideout. When the Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with LSU for three quarters last fall, Hardy’s play was to thank, as he recorded 10 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns. The Longhorns should expect Hardy to be Smith’s main target when the teams take the field on Saturday.

all photos copyright louisiana tech athletics, and reproduced with permission

AMIK ROBERTSON

First Team All-Conference USA. First Team All-Louisiana. These are just a couple of junior cornerback Amik Robertson’s accolades from the 2018 season. A potential NFL Draft prospect, Robertson led the Bulldogs with four interceptions, two of which came in Louisiana Tech’s bowl victory. In his stellar sophomore season last year, Robertson recorded 44 solo tackles, 12 pass breakups, a forced fumble, a recovery and a sack. The player out of Thibodaux, Louisiana, stands at just 5-foot-9. While Texas’ star wide receiver Collin Johnson has a significant height advantage on Robertson at 6-foot-6, the Longhorns should still plan accordingly for this talented corner.

DOUBLE COVERAGE

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six touchdowns in the College Football Playoff en route to Clemson’s second national championship in three years. As a true freshman, the former No. 1 overall recruit threw for 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions on the season while completing 65% of his passes to lead the ACC. Caesars Palace’s early Heisman odds have it as a two-man race between Lawrence and Tagovailoa. Pair Lawrence with preseason All-American running back Travis Etienne and a few dynamic receivers like sophomore Justyn Ross and junior Tee Higgins, and Lawrence could make his case to be Clemson’s first-ever Heisman winner.

Jalen Hurts — Quarterback, Oklahoma

Head coach Lincoln Riley’s resume speaks for itself. In his two seasons since he assumed the reins of the Sooner Schooner from Bob Stoops, Riley has transformed Oklahoma into a real-life Heisman House. A year after Riley developed his three-year protege Baker Mayfield into a Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he followed it up with another Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick in Kyler Murray. Now in his third year as Oklahoma’s head coach, Riley is gearing up for his next challenge: developing Alabama graduate transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts. After he ultimately

lost the starting quarterback job to Tua Tagovailoa during a halftime change in the 2018 national championship game, Hurts spent last season backing up Tagovailoa during his Heisman race. After transferring to Oklahoma in the spring, Hurts has now placed himself in a position to compete for a Heisman with the man who took his starting job two seasons ago. Sam Ehlinger — Quarterback, Texas

Texas is back, folks. And this time the Longhorns mean it. Last year’s Sugar Bowl should have erased any doubt that Tom Herman has placed Texas in a position to compete with powerhouse schools once again, completing the Longhorns’ first 10-win season since 2009. At the center of it all? Junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. Ehlinger has emerged as the star Texas has needed to be competitive in the Big 12 after a decade of misery. Last season, Ehlinger put up numbers unseen since the Colt McCoy days, including a span of 10 consecutive games without an interception and improving his completion percentage by seven points from the previous season. Now surrounded by the most talent Texas has had in nearly a decade, Ehlinger has thrown himself into the early Heisman consideration.

FOR FALL

2020

Q&A

Daily Texan: Quarterback J’Mar Smith and receiver Adrian Hardy, what kind of problems do these two guys present to defenses? Cory Diaz: Adrian Hardy, being a guy that signed with Texas’ rival out of high school, signed with Oklahoma, obviously to be that caliber of a player, he’s very dynamic. He’s got that typical Power Five size. He’s 6-foot-2, just a shade under 200 pounds, he’s a guy that’s very good at high pointing the ball. He runs really crisp routes, but he’s also really strong and he’s got a quick first step. He really has all the tools to be one of the best, if not the best wide receiver, especially in Conference USA come the end of the year. And his timing with J’Mar has certainly improved since he had to sit out a year due to the transfer rule, and last year was the first year Adrian got significant playing time. You could tell over the course of the year that their timing and rhythm together just kept improving and kept improving. DT: On the defensive side, Louisiana Tech lost its defensive coordinator and (defensive lineman) Jaylon Ferguson. Who do you think on this Tech defensive front is going to step up and make an impact early in this season? CD: I don’t think there’s any question it’s going to be Willie Baker. He’s a redshirt junior, last year he served as (Ferguson’s) primary backup at the rush end spot. With new defensive coordinator Bob Diaco coming in just before spring ball and getting into the fold there at the Louisiana Tech football program, he’s installed a new 3-4 base front. They had been basing out of a 4-3, so they’ve shifted the front, and what that’s done is that’s moved Willie back from

The Daily Texan spoke with Cory Diaz, Sports writer for the Monroe News-Star. By Marcus Krum @marcuskrum that rush end spot to more of a hybrid Jack linebacker position. That kind of plays into his strengths. Obviously he’s got incredible ability to rush the passer. He kind of broke out in the Hawaii Bowl last year, had four sacks in that game and was a real difference maker. What the new position allows him to do is it allows him to disguise what he’s going to do pre-snap. DT: Texas has had a problem in the past with kind of allowing teams to hang around. What do you think this Louisiana Tech team needs to do in the first half to stick around in a game where they might look overmatched against a top 10 Texas team? CD: (Louisiana) Tech went down to Baton Rouge and played LSU last year, and at the half it looked like the game was already over. The big reason for that was because (Louisiana) Tech had a couple of turnovers in the first half. They cannot turn the ball over. I feel like against this Texas team and how talented it is, if this (Louisiana) Tech team makes some miscues and gives Sam Ehlinger extra possessions, I really think the Texas offense could make them pay for that. I think the biggest thing for J’Mar Smith at quarterback and the running backs is don’t throw interceptions — you can’t fumble the ball and put the ball on the ground. What I suspect offensively for (Louisiana) Tech to come out and do, I think they’ll start out with some quick passes. I think they’ll come out and rely on J’Mar Smith early. I think they’ll give him some quick-read snap plays just to kind of get the timing down with Adrian and Isaiah (Graham) and Griffin (Hebert) at the slot receiver position, just to kind of get into that rhythm.

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is a sleeper Heisman candidate, and if defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s defense isn’t ready they’ll get shredded by King.

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Pick: Houston (+23) Future bet

Texas — regular season wins O/U 9.5 I think 2020 is the year that the Longhorns make their appearance in the College Football

Playoff, but having said that, this will be the best year for the Texas football program since 2009. Texas reached 10 wins last year and you’re telling me this year’s squad is worse than last year’s? Just like last year, Texas will most likely end up playing 14 games including the Big 12 Championship and their bowl game. Pencil them in for 11 or 12 wins this year to set them up for a playoff run in 2020.

august 30, 2019 It’s finally here. While the much awaited matchup with that other school from Louisiana is next week, the 2019 season opener against Louisiana Tech has arrived. Longhorn Nation is excited to see what this year can be after last year’s dominant win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to finish the season. Texas comes into this matchup with a young but talented defense, which has the tall task of replacing eight starters. But led by senior safety Brandon Jones and star sophomore safety Caden Sterns, there is reason for excitement. On offense, the team brings back senior receiver Collin Johnson, sophomore running back Keaontay Ingram and junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger in what could be the most explosive offense fans have seen under Tom Herman. Here’s how the season’s opening game could go:

By Wills Layton @willsdebeast

TEXAS WINS IF

… it shuts down the explosive offense of the Bulldogs.

The offense of Louisiana Tech has led to five straight winning seasons, and does not look to have slowed down in 2019. Led by a trio of offensive talents in fifth-year senior quarterback J’Mar Smith, junior receiver Adrian Hardy and fifth-year senior running back Jaqwis Dancy, the Bulldog offense has some playmakers on that side of the ball. Saturday will show if Texas can successfully slow them down.

LOSES IF … it underestimates the competition on the field.

Very talented Texas teams of the past two years suffered Week One defeats to the Maryland Terrapins, a team that did not boast similar levels of talent. The

… the running backs play well and stay healthy.

It is no secret that the running back depth of the team has been tested this offseason, with three leaving via transfer or graduation. A shoulder sprain and now a high ankle sprain have taken players out of commission, leaving Texas with two scholarship backs. Ingram, the victim of a tweaked knee, looks like he will be available Week One. Sharing touches in the backfield will be true freshman Jordan Whittington, who was recruited as a wide receiver and safety. If the Longhorns want to win, they need to have a balanced attack, and to do that, the available running backs will need to play well. … senior receiver Devin Duvernay proves he can stretch

expectations this year are higher than they have been in recent memory, and with LSU looming, it may be easy to look past weaker Week One competition. That would be a fatal mistake, as the Bulldogs sport a squad with some talent. If Texas lets Louisiana Tech take a double-digit lead, it could spell trouble. … the young defense faces extreme

the field.

The tandem of Johnson and current New Orleans Saint Lil’Jordan Humphrey lit up defenses last year, but Humphrey is now catching passes from Drew Brees. To maintain the offensive production from last year, someone has to step up, and Duvernay is set up to do so. His elite speed can take the top off of defenses, and can allow Ehlinger the chance for deep throws. More importantly, defenses have to pay attention to Duvernay, leaving additional holes in the defense for exploitation. Texas will put themselves in a good position if they can take advantage of the mismatches Duvernay presents.

growing pains.

Texas features new starters on every level, from the defensive line to the secondary. While back-to-back top-three recruiting classes pumped a wealth of talent into the roster, that talent is young and unproven. If the potent offense of the Bulldogs can challenge the defense early and often, Texas could have a shootout on its hands. juan figueroa

/ the daily texan file

Texas wide receiver Devin Duvernay runs after the catch against West Virginia at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Duvernay has recorded 70 catches for 1,082 yards in his three-year Longhorn career

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