Texas Longhorns Football: 2008 Schedule Analysis

With the college football season quickly approaching, the Texas Longhorns are making preparations to improve on last year's up and down season.

A casual observer would look at Texas' record of 10-3 as a pretty successful season, but to the burnt orange-clad enthusiasts, last season was a disaster. 

With losses to both OU and A&M and a shocking home loss to Kansas State, some things need to be adjusted in order for Texas to reclaim lost ground.

This year's schedule is brutal.  Instead of playing Nebraska, Kansas State, and Iowa State, the 'Horns get Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. 

In the south, Texas faces OU in the annual heavyweight fight, high-flying Texas Tech, an improved Oklahoma State, and the always pesky Aggies of A&M.

Here is a rundown of the 'Horn schedule in '08:

8/30	Florida Atlantic
9/06	@ UTEP
9/13	Arkansas
9/20	Rice
10/04	@ Colorado
10/11	@ Oklahoma
10/18	Missouri
10/25	Oklahoma State
11/01	@ Texas Tech
11/08	Baylor
11/15	@ Kansas
11/27	Texas A&M

Week 1, Florida Atlantic: W   

The 'Horns should take care of business on opening day, but last season they looked past lowly Arkansas State and almost paid for it...

Week 2, UTEP: W  

UTEP has a high-flying passing offense that could torch the young Longhorn secondary if they aren't prepared.

Week 3, Arkansas: W 

The Hogs lost their two star running backs and leading receiver, but they could still be dangerous for the rivalry's sake.

Week 4, Rice: W 

The 'Horns cruise to another easy victory over the Owls.

Week 5, Colorado: W  

The Sooners fell to the Buffs in Boulder last season, but Texas won't overlook this dangerous Colorado team.

Week 6, Oklahoma: L  

In another highly anticipated chapter in this rivalry, OU edges the 'Horns in a highly contested game that could very well determine the Big 12 South champion (what else is new).

Week 7, Missouri: W  

After falling short against their hated rivals, the Longhorns rebound in a big way against a probable Top 10 team in the Tigers.

Week 8, Oklahoma State: W 

This game will be another nail-biting, down to the wire game that features a dramatic comeback and two of the most explosive offenses in the conference.

Week 9, Texas Tech: W  

A week after their shootout with the 'Pokes, Texas takes on rival Texas Tech in Lubbock.  It will be yet another high scoring affair, but it will go the way of the 'Horns for the sixth straight year.

Week 10, Baylor: W  

Baylor does not have the firepower to be competitive in this game.  Texas cruises to the win.

Week 11, Kansas: L  

Texas gets caught with their pants down, looking ahead to their revenge game against A&M by a talented Jayhawk team.

Week 12, Texas A&M: W  

This will be a close game for four quarters, but the Aggies will get the short end of the stick against a pissed-off Texas squad looking to rebound from a loss to Kansas and two previous losses to A&M.

Record: 10-2, second in the Big 12 South

Bowl: Holiday Bowl

Texas' schedule is one of the most difficult in the nation, facing four possible Top 10 teams in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Tech.  This young Texas team will have to grow up quickly if they hope to contend for Big 12 and National Championships.

Texas has the POTENTIAL to win every game on the schedule.

POTENTIAL. 

It all rides on how fast the young defense grows up and if the team can stay injury free. 

Mack Brown stressed consistency this spring, something Texas often lacked last season.

If Texas wants to return to the top five of college football, they must shore up their weak points and emphasize their strengths.

Look for Texas to stay in contention for all the postseason possibilities, but only time will tell how successful this team can be in the ultra-competitive Big 12 conference.