Texas Football 2011: Power Ranking the Opponents Most Likely to Upset the Horns

There is nothing fishy about Longhorns' annual showdown with Oklahoma. The perennial marquee matchup of the Big 12 season, the Red River Rivalry should again provide a wealth of entertaining story lines and compelling play.

This year's Sooners, the preseason No. 1, are a popular choice to claim a BCS National Championship Game bid. While the injury to star linebacker Travis Lewis—who led the team in tackles a season ago—could jeopardize those chances, Oklahoma has a wealth of talented defensive options who can replace him.

Oklahoma is without a doubt the most challenging opponent on Texas' 2011 schedule. The two programs have split the last four contests, but give an edge to the stability of the Sooners program, which seems to be ascending while the Longhorns look to rebound from a disappointing 2010.

Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State returns a pair of dynamic playmakers who helped the Cowboys gun their way to the second-ranked passing offense in the country a season ago.

Look for quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon to once again be two of the Big 12's most productive players this season. The Pokes lit up the scoreboard on a weekly basis, posting 44 points per game, good for third in the nation. They'll have to make do without departed running back Kendall Hunter this time around, but by no means should this passing attack be taken lightly.

Ranked No. 8 in preseason, the Cowboys should challenge their in-state rivals for bragging rights in the 10-team conference.

With the game at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, the Longhorns will have ample support from their passionate fans.

If this game turns into a shootout—which Oklahoma State is all too happy to see happen—can the Horns keep up?

Texas A&M

Texas A&M has grabbed the lion's share of media attention in in college football this past week with the university's audacious attempt to jump ship for the Southeastern Conference.

While the question of whether or not the Aggies could be legitimate competitors in the loaded SEC is a debate in and of itself, the most pressing question in 2011 is whether head coach Mike Sherman will finally get results after a lengthy rebuilding phase.

The Longhorns and Aggies have split the Lone Star Showdown 2-2 over the past four contests, with each team winning once on the road during that span.

When these two storied programs meet, however, throw the expectations out the window. Anything can happen once orange meets maroon on the gridiron.

The Aggies return a tremendous amount of talent on offense, but questions remain on defense, where they must replace all-everything linebacker Von Miller.

Texas has spent an offseason adapting to new playbooks on both sides of the ball. But given their meeting is on Thanksgiving night, both teams had better have a grasp of their respective game plans by that point.

Missouri

Missouri has enjoyed impressive success in recent years, and is looking for a seventh consecutive winning season.

The Tigers, ranked No. 21 in preseason, have to usher in a new quarterback charged with the unenviable task of replacing NFL first-round draft pick Blaine Gabbert. Whoever gets the call under center will not lack for options, however, as Missouri is well-balanced at running back and wide receiver.

Gabbert led Missouri to a win over Oklahoma a season ago, but without a proven option under center, the Tigers' offense could struggle against the vaunted Sooner defense.

Missouri missed the struggling Longhorns on their schedule last season, but Texas travels to Columbia in 2011. 

The Tigers didn't lose at home last season, and Texas has plenty of questions that need answering about its new-look program. Will the Longhorns be able to win in a hostile environment against a Top-25 caliber team? This late-season matchup could have bowl implications, so expect Texas and Missouri to both come out ready to play.

BYU

The Stormin' Mormons had a rare off-year under Bronco Mendenhall in 2010, sputtering to an inglorious 7-6 mark. It was an unexpected step back after four consecutive campaigns with at least 10 wins.

But expect the Cougars to bounce back in 2011.

With impressive sophomore quarterback Jake Heaps—who has a season's worth of starts under the Book of Mormon in his belt—and tailback Jj Di Luigi, BYU has talented pieces to work with as it looks to get back to its double-digit winning ways.

The early season matchup—which will be in Austin—will be a stern test for the Longhorns, as they may still be making adjustments at that point.

Don't expect this to be a gimme.

UCLA

UCLA has teeter-tottered between mediocre and bad for the past five seasons. Yet they always seem to find a way to knock off Top-10 opponents, whether it was USC in 2006 or Texas last season, when the Bruins shocked the country with a devastating 34-12 upset in Austin, where their pistol offense amassed 264 rushing yards.

Texas has since revamped and will finish a two-season home-and-home series against UCLA.

The Horns will not want to overlook the Bruins—again expected to finish in the lower half of the (now) Pac-12—given the lopsided result of last year's contest.

Could the Bruins "do it again" in the home confines of the Rose Bowl?

Texas' new-and-improved schemes will be put to the test against an underrated Bruins defense that returns six starters.

This one should be interesting—UCLA famously knocked off an Adrian Peterson-led Oklahoma team at the Rose Bowl in 2005.

For the Longhorns, who'll be looking for revenge, they'll need to find a way to stop UCLA from running the ball with such ease on Sept. 17.