Texas Longhorns Football: Five Bold Predictions For The 2010 Season
The Texas Longhorns kick off their 2010 campaign against Rice in less than 14 hours, and now is as good as any time to lay down some bold predictions heading into the season.
Some are offensive predictions, others are defensive. But at the end of the day, there will be talent and youth all over the field for the Horns.
Combining the two will be the job of the staff, and if the players can hold up to the expectations and demands asked of them, it will be another special year for Mack Brown and co.
Cody Johnson Will Rush for More Than 1,000 Yards
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It's very lonely out here on this limb.
The first bold prediction comes out of the running back position, where the Longhorns have not had a 1,000 yard back since the days of Jamaal Charles in 2007 and Cedric Benson in 2004.
A more athletic offensive line will hit the ground running against Rice and never look back. Getting beyond the first level and getting hands on the linebackers and the secondary will be critical if Johnson—in his recently given starter’s role—is to realize a special season.
The junior out of Waller, Texas rushed for just 335 yards last season, but after dropping some percentage points body fat over the offseason, he looks poised to make a serious impact for Texas this year.
He’s looked leaner and faster than ever, but he still is not afraid to hit someone in the mouth. Arm tackles will not bring him down, and his power alone could easily land him several 6-8 yard carries.
Mike Davis Will Lead the Longhorns in Receiving Yards and Touchdowns
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The Horns haven’t had a true freshman receiver come to the Forty Acres with this much ability and hype since the days of Roy E. Williams, considered by some to be one of the most dynamic pass catchers ever to come to Texas.
It is almost a perfect storm of sorts for Davis to shoot up the ladder at wide receiver.
No veteran receiver has come out and solidified his spot as the go-to receiver for Garrett Gilbert, opening up huge opportunities for freshmen receivers Davis and Darius White to show their stuff.
The Dallas Sykline product has great hands, great route running, jumps through the roof and comes down with every ball thrown his way.
Marquise Goodwin could be Davis’ main competition on the field.
Davis will surprise many people as the season rolls along, picking up plenty of time on the field in the process.
Special Teams Will Score at Least Four Touchdowns on Returns
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Between D.J. Monroe, Marquise Goodwin, Aaron Williams, and Curtis Brown, there is some serious athleticism and electricity to go around on the field.
Teams may wind up kicking out of bounds before letting any of these speedsters touch the ball.
Monroe and Goodwin are lined up for the kick returns, while Williams and Brown will get the looks on punts.
"Taking it to the house" may be a line heard frequently this season.
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The Horns Defense Will Be the Most Feared Defense to Play Under Mack Brown
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It may be Mack Brown's team, but it's Will Muschamp's coaching that will make this defense as salty and nasty as it's ever been in Austin.
The loss of playmakers like Earl Thomas, Sergio Kindle, and Lamar Houston to the NFL are huge hits, but the collective additions to the defense can make this unit more balanced and even deadlier.
The combination of Christian Scott and sophomore Kenny Vacarro at safety will turn some heads and even take some off. Remember both of those names.
With Sam Acho and sophomore Alex Okafor seeing several snaps at defensive tackle, opportunities for freshmen defensive ends Reggie Wilson and Jackson Jeffcoat will be ample, and they will validate their nationally recognized rank as some of the top ends in the 2010 recruiting class.
The linebackers for the Longhorns are equally talented as they are deep. Dravannti Johnson, Emmanuel Acho, and Keenan Robinson will start, but expect plenty of snaps out of veterans Jared Norton and Dustin Earnest. Freshmen Jordan Hicks was regarded as the nation’s top linebacker in 2010, and his presence is likely to be felt early on this season.
Defensive touchdowns may come quite often this year.
Mack Brown came out and said his two-deep is littered with freshmen, and he is not afraid to showing off the talent seeping out of the Forty Acres.
The Longhorns Will Return to the Big 12 Championship Game and Defend Their Title
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Garrett Gilbert may not have to have a statistically impressive season to generate success for this team. If defense wins championships, this Longhorns team has a great chance of defending the Big 12 crown.
The sophomore quarterback will do what needs to be done to get the wins and let the defense suffocate the opposition.
Gilbert certainly has the talent to rack up some serious passing yards, but it is more likely that the Horns delegate a heavy dose of the play calling to running the football.
Beating Oklahoma likely puts Texas in the hunt for the Big 12 South's bid in the conference title game, where a second rematch with Nebraska could put every fan on edge.
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