Big 12 South Preview: Sooners, Longhorns Vie for a Title

Last year's Longhorn team struggled down the stretch, losing its final two regular season games and then squeaking past Iowa. Their late season troubles could be attributed directly to the disappearance of the running game. Over the final three games the Horns only totaled 283 yards rushing 91 attempts, basically averaging 3 ypc. A defense that forced turnovers and wreaked havoc on quarterbacks helped make the Texas offense appear better than it actually was. Great field position often made scoring points a much easier task as it didn't take a whole lot of yards for the Horns to get in scoring position, which was a good thing. During those final three games though the Horns were -2 in turnovers, and the results showed up with them losing 2 of those games. That could be a sign of things to come in 2007. If Texas isn't forcing a lot of turnovers, will the offense be good enough to score the points to keep this team in national title contention?

As mentioned, the rushing attack struggled at the end of the year. For a team who averaged roughly 275 yards a game rushing the past three years, to average less than 100 over a three game stretch is a cause for concern. Texas is hoping Jamaal Charles shows the explosiveness he demonstrated as a freshman. It's not as though Charles was bad last year, he averaged 5.3 ypc, but is he the kind of back you can just turn and feed the ball to consistently? There is some talent behind him, it's just not experienced talent. Mack Brown is hoping he won't have to rely much on it and Charles can be the guy.

Unfortunately for Charles, this offensive line will be really young, especially on the left side. Cedrick Dockery and Tony Hills both return as starters and center Dallas Griffin has seen lots of playing time during his career and will finally be the starter at center. However, it is that left side that's a concern. Two sophomores are expected to start, and Texas faces some talented defensive ends and outside linebackers (TCU, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Oklahoma State) that could take major advantage. How quickly Charlie Tanner and Adam Ulatoski adapt to Big 12 play will be a major key to getting the ground game, though Ulatoski did start 7 games last year helping to prep him for this season.

The passing game, initially expected to be the strength of this offense (and one of the best in the nation) now might be a concern. Injuries continue to hamper the receiving corps as now Billy Pittman and Limas Sweed are dealing with injuries, with Pittman's appearing to be more serious. When healthy, this receiving corps ranks among the best in America as the top four pass catchers from 2006 are all back, as well as their tight end. Colt McCoy more than surpassed expectations a year ago, but that was also with a veteran offensive line that only allowed 19 sacks. With those youngsters on his blind side, McCoy may not be afforded the kind of time he had last year. Also of concern will be McCoy's ability to stay healthy, as the depth behind him is completely void of any experience. Sherrod Harris was expected to be the number two guy, but he's hurt, leaving John Chiles, who was a candidate to be moved to receiver, as the team's number two option. Both Harris and Chiles are extraordinarily talented, but neither have thrown a pass in college. Then again, McCoy hadn't either prior to last year.

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