Can Colt McCoy Lead the Inexperienced Texas Longhorns Offense?

University of Texas Preview

OFFENSE

Projected Lineup:

QB- Colt McCoy

RB- Vondrell McGee

WR- Quan Cosby, Jordan Shipley, Malcolm Williams

TE- Blaine Irby

OL- (LT) Adam Ulatowski, (LG) Charlie Tanner, (C) Chris Hall,

       (RG) Cedric Dockery, (RT) Kyle Hix

Overview:

Texas loses playmakers at each of the skill positions to the NFL, with two of them (Jamaal Charles and Jermichael Finley) leaving early.  The other (Limas Sweed) was out most of last season.

Going into camp, Texas needs to replace their production and find players to make big plays.  The coaching staff feels they have the talent to do that, although they admit none of the replacements have proven it on the field.

Strengths

Colt McCoy returns for his junior season after two underrated years as UT quarterback.  If McCoy gets his interceptions down to where they were in his freshman year, the Texas offense should be in good hands once again.

Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby return to help out Colt with their consistent hands. 

Question Marks

This Texas team is loaded with these.  The offensive line is talented but has little experience or proven depth.  The tight end position is wide open, even though the group has looked good thus far.

Even though two solid contributors return on the outside, Texas has to find a deep threat in the mold of Limas Sweed or Roy Williams. Malcolm Williams and Dan Buckner look the part, but nobody knows for sure if they are ready.

Match-up to watch:

(LG) Charlie Tanner vs. Michael Huey

Charlie Tanner has the experience and seniority, but many in the program are comparing Huey to ex-Longhorn Kasey Studdard.  Historically, Mack Brown has given the early nod to the older player.

The money should be on Tanner to start the season. Huey should get the majority of the snaps, eventually getting the starting nod.

X-Factor: John Chiles

The second-string quarterback expects to be much more than that this year.  Through the first two days of practice, Greg Davis and UT’s offense have seemed to focus on moving Chiles around. 

Chiles has lined up at slot, at running back in the shotgun, and at QB.  Coaches have said the new “Big Board” they completed over the summer, listing the top players regardless of position, forced them to find ways to get Chiles more involved.  Expect him to be used like Hines Ward when he was at Georgia.

Surprise Player: Josh Marshall

So much has been said about backup RB Foswhitt Whittaker that he can no longer be looked at as a surprise player.  Tight End Josh Marshall has opened eyes early in fall practice and with no proven commodities in front of him, Marshall should be a factor before the season is done.

Most expected Irby to get the catches and Peter Ullman to do most of the blocking.  Don’t be surprised if Marshall takes away from both of their roles as the season heads on.