Here Come the Horns! It's Almost College Football Time

Yes, it is only the first part of July but it’s already time to start thinking about Texas Longhorns football. 

We’ve seen what they can do in spring practice. We know who they have coming up on their schedule. And we are aware that they are fully in the hunt for the national championship.

But will they be able to win enough games to qualify for a shot at winning the national title next season? 

Which games may be stumbling blocks for the Longhorns?

Looking at the schedule, we see that the Longhorns have a few places where they could stumble heading towards their goal of reaching the title game.  Those games include the Longhorns game at Nebraska as well as home games against the UCLA Bruins, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and Texas A&M.  The following is a look at each game and how it could be a trap for the Longhorns in 2010.

September 25th, at home versus UCLA -This is going to be a tough contest even though it’s at home.  The Bruins have been getting better and bring a big time passing game to town and this will test the Longhorn’s defense.  If Texas can get an early lead and force the Bruins to pass more, they should be able to crank up the pass rush and beat the Bruins.  Getting that early lead is a key.

October 2nd, versus Oklahoma -These games are always tough and this one shouldn’t be any different.  The Sooners and the Longhorns always play hard when they meet but this year, it could be a different story.  With the Sooners undergoing some changes on offense the Longhorns could (and should) take advantage and win this game but it will be a tough one that’s for sure.

October 16th at Nebraska -This is the game that both Longhorns fans and Huskers fans have circled on their schedules heading into this season.  This is going to be a rematch between the same two teams that played in the Big 12 Championship game and the Cornhuskers promise to avenge the loss in last year’s game.

Incidentally, this will be Nebraska’s last season as part of the Big 12 Conference so it can be rest assured that they will be pumped up for this game.  Nebraska will want to go out with a bang, so to speak, and their aim (as it is with anyone) will be to win the Big 12 but with an added incentive.

This game promises to be a good one (perhaps one of the top five games of the college football season) and both teams will be ready for this one.  The Longhorns do have the edge in this one and if they can get off to a fast start, the Cornhuskers will lose this game.  It’s definitely one to watch.

November 13th home versus Oklahoma State -Granted, Oklahoma State isn’t looking that great heading into the 2010 College Football season but Texas can’t allow this to become a trap game, especially since they will have their eye on the Big 12 Championship game, which will be approaching at that time.

Oklahoma State isn’t going to look that great on paper next season, but they could be a problem for the Longhorns. As long as Texas stays focused, they should be able to win this game and move on to their next opponent with a head of steam moving towards the Big 12 Championship game.

November 25th at home versus Texas A&M- This will be their last regular season game of the year and the games between the Longhorns and Aggies are typically tough.  Some people feel that A&M is going to have a great season this year and could even upset the Longhorns in this game (as well as be in the running for the Big 12 Championship).  But that isn’t going to happen--Texas should be fully focused on beating the Aggies, getting into the Big 12 Championship game and winning that contest.

December 4th, Big 12 Championship Game -Of course, the Longhorns haven’t even played a single game yet in 2010 but many, including this writer, are already forecasting them to be in the Championship game.  The question is, if they make it that far who will they play?  In all likelihood, it’s going to be Nebraska.  They seem to be the second best team in the Conference and should be playing some great football in 2010.

Some people predict that the Longhorns are going to lose a couple of these games and just miss getting a shot at the Big 12 title.  Others feel that they have what it takes to go undefeated and earn another trip to the BCS Title game next season.  They are going to be very talented this season, but can they go undefeated?  We will find out in less than two months.