2011 Texas Longhorns Football Predictions, Odds, Picks and Schedule – 2011 Texas Football Preview

2011 Texas Longhorns College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – Texas NCAA Football Preview: Entering the 2010-11 season, the Texas Longhorns were on the short list of powerhouse programs in the nation. National titles were always a possibility, and BCS bowls were the norm. Then came last year’s 5-7 disaster, and Mack Brown’s bunch suddenly finds itself one bad season away from being viewed as a program on the decline. Major changes were made to the assistant coaching staff in the offseason in the hopes of jumpstarting a stagnant offense. However, question marks remain for the Longhorns, even in a weaker Big 12. There are no guarantees that Texas will be back among the nation’s elite in 2011-12.

Last year, the normally high-powered Longhorn offense was grounded. They scored 22 points or less in all seven losses, and Texas struggled just to move the ball into scoring position at times. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert finished the year with just 10 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions. The running game was equally inept behind an offensive line that underperformed throughout the year. Add it all up, and the Longhorns were basically a mess on offense, turning the ball over on a regular basis and failing to find any sort of rhythm.

In the wake of the offensive issues, former Texas QB Major Applewhite was named co-offensive coordinator, along with Bryan Harsin. The Longhorns are planning to implement a more pass-friendly, less one-dimensional attack. Applewhite should be able to get much more out of Gilbert than he has shown thus far. After all, Gilbert was the National Player of the Year coming out of high school. In addition, highly-touted freshman running back Malcolm Brown should immediately boost the Texas ground game, while sophomore receiver Mike Davis should be able to show his true talent in the revamped offense.

Defensively, the Longhorns were stout last season, leading the Big 12 and ranking in the top 10 nationally. The front seven returns all but one starter this season, and the group should be an absolute handful for opponents. Defensive end Alex Okafor will headline a powerful pass rush, while linebacker Keenan Robinson will eat up running backs. Texas will have to break in some new cornerbacks, but two experienced safeties return to solidify the secondary. Assuming the offense can actually stay on the field and score some points this year, this unit could be even better this season.

The schedule is kind to the Longhorns in some regards. They play BYU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech at home this year. The problem is that the Sooners and the Cowboys are considerably better than the Longhorns, at least on paper. Road games at Missouri, Baylor and Texas A&M won’t be easy either, especially the A&M game. The rivalry is always heated between the two schools, and the Aggies welcome back a ton of starters this season. Nebraska may have left the conference, but the Longhorns still don’t have it easy.

While the new offensive philosophy should help Gilbert and company put some points on the board this season, the fact is that this team just isn’t loaded with stars as in years past. The groundwork for a rebound is in place, especially with Brown at running back, but a conference title and a BCS bowl just don’t seem possible this year. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M all have more balance on offense and more experienced talent in general. The Longhorns will make a bowl game in 2011-12, but diehard Texas fans are going to be disappointed yet again.

2011 Texas Longhorns College Football Predictions: 8-4 Record

Preseason 2011 Texas Longhorns NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: +2500
Odds to Win 2011 Big 12 Championship: +500
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2011 Texas College Football Schedule
Sat, Sep 3 Rice 7:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 Brigham Young 7:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 at UCLA 3:30 pm —
Sat, Oct 1 at Iowa State TBA —
Sat, Oct 8 Oklahoma 12:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 15 Oklahoma State TBA —
Sat, Oct 29 Kansas TBA —
Sat, Nov 5 Texas Tech TBA —
Sat, Nov 12 at Missouri TBA —
Sat, Nov 19 Kansas State TBA —
Thu, Nov 24 at Texas A&M 8:00 pm —
Sat, Dec 3 at Baylor TBA —

Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 College Football Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions article.

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