NCAA Texas Longhorns: Will They Be Back Next Year?

It’s the end of another long year in Austin, Texas.

And no, I don’t mean the season has been long. It’s been a short season compared to what Texas Longhorn fans are used to. Ending a season before the month of December has been unheard of since Mack Brown took over at the University of Texas.

When Texas failed to gain bowl eligibility against rival Texas A&M, they secured a losing season for the first time since the John Mackovic era. While these are not good times, there are several things to look forward to next year.

First, the Longhorns will have more experience coming into next year. On offense, they will have 12 returning players who started games. They may not have begun the season as starters, but they gained experience under fire.

Garrett Gilbert’s statistics might not be impressive, but consider this: Garret Gilbert had more rushing yards (380) than Colt McCoy in his first season as a starter (170), threw for more yards (2,744) than Colt McCoy in his first season (2,570) and threw fewer interceptions (17) than Colt McCoy in McCoy’s second season (18).

He did all this with track athletes playing receivers as well as a converted quarterback at receiver.

The offensive line was horrible, but you can rest assured that the problem will be addressed in the offseason. Four returning linemen have started games this season or in previous seasons, and with a great recruiting class coming in, the talent is there to build an effective offensive line.

On the defensive side of the ball, there just didn't seem to be a ball-hawk in the secondary. Texas caused more fumbles than any team in the country, but could not take advantage, which is very uncharacteristic of a Texas Longhorn defense.

Texas will not have a repeat performance like that. While the secondary will be losing two corners to the NFL (possibly three if Aaron Williams leaves early), injuries late in the season gave their young backups much-needed experience.

Mack Brown has been saying it since 2007, but next year’s team might actually have a running game.

Seriously.

With the addition of Malcolm Brown to this year’s recruiting haul, the Longhorns finally have that special player at running back that they have been sorely lacking since Jamaal Charles left for the NFL. He’s an Adrian Peterson-type back in that he’s big, physical and fast. While he may not have “Peterson” speed, he’s certainly quick.

Add Cody Johnson in short-yardage situations (maybe even move him to fullback) and DJ Monroe’s elusive speed, and this might actually be the year where a run game can be established.

While the receiving corps looked mediocre for most of the season, it could be a bright spot for next season. Marquis Goodwin is a special talent, but that guy really needs some stickum. However, with the ball in his hands, he is electric.

Darius White is the big receiver that Limas Sweed was for Texas. He’s fast, and he’s a big target. He didn’t get a lot of balls thrown his way this year, but that should change next year.

Mike Davis is by far the most talented receiver on the team. He has great instincts, great hands, excellent speed, and is a good route runner. Everything that Jordan Shipley was.

Speaking of Shipley, his younger brother is on the way as well. You can count on him to run crisp routes and catch the football.

So while this year has been a disappointment for UT fans, you can rest assured that another 5-7 season is not on the way.

Forget that fact that Texas plays all seven teams that it lost to this season. Oklahoma is the only team out of those seven with as much talent as Texas, apologies to Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

Texas will not have the same sense of entitlement that it had this season, and it will have vengeance on its mind. Here’s hoping the open offensive coordinator position goes to someone who can help get the Horns back on track…