Texas Longhorns: 5 Toughest Games This Season

After a dismal 2010 campaign, it's not easy to narrow the Texas Longhorns' schedule down to five tough games. There is a pressure system in Austin for Mack Brown to win this year, and after naming Garrett Gilbert the starter for the second consecutive year, the pressure may be even greater.

Texas lost seven games, the most during the Mack Brown era that began in 1998. The Longhorns didn't make it to a bowl game, also a first under Coach Brown and lost to Iowa State for the first time ever.

Here is a look at the five toughest games Texas will take part in.

No. 5: Texas at UCLA

After two home games against Rice and BYU, the Longhorns will make their first trip to the Rose Bowl since losing to Alabama in the 2009 BCS National Championship game. They will take on UCLA, who ran all over Texas in Austin last year.

No answer was found for the Bruins' run offense that rushed for 264 yards and three touchdowns. UCLA also forced five turnovers last year, including four fumbles. Texas only gained 86 yards on the ground, forcing quarterback Garrett Gilbert into throwing a career-high 45 passes.

It will be the Longhorns first game away from Austin and possibly their first true test.

No. 4: Texas at No. 21 Missouri

The last time Texas played Missouri, Colt McCoy was at the helm and led the Longhorns to a 41-7 victory over 2011 first-round pick Blaine Gabbert.

Both of those guys are in the NFL now, but Missouri returns it's top receiver, T.J. Moe, who caught 77 passes for 1,053 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Mizzou will start James Franklin at quarterback, who completed 11 of 14 passes for 106 yards and rushed for 116 yards and two scores last year.

Texas is undefeated against Mizzou under Mack Brown, their last loss coming in 1997 in Missouri.

No. 3: No. 9 Oklahoma State at Texas

The last three games could really be in any order. Texas lost to Oklahoma State for the first time under Mack Brown, the previous loss coming in 1997.

The Cowboys were second in the nation last year in passing yards, averaging 345.8 yards a game. They also finished third in scoring, averaging just over 44 points a game.

OSU brings back Biletnikoff Award winner Justin Blackmon, who caught 111 passes for 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns. Starting quarterback Brandon Weeden will also be back after finishing the season with 4,277 passing yards, which was third in the nation.

OSU does lose Kendal Hunter to the NFL. He rushed for 280 yards and three touchdowns, despite injuries in 2007 and 2009. The Longhorns' experienced secondary will have their hands full come Oct. 15.

No. 2: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas, TX)

The annual Red River Rivalry has proven that it is anything but predictable. Last year, the underachieving Longhorns were within a muffed punt return from attempting a game-tying drive. In 2009, Texas mustered just 269 total yards and a lousy 16 points on a struggling Oklahoma team.

The Sooners really only lose running back Demarco Murray, who rushed for 115 yards and two scores last year against the Horns. Quarterback Landry Jones finished second in passing yards and passing touchdowns last season and is a front-runner for the Heisman trophy. OU's leading receiver, Ryan Broyles also returns for the Sooners.

Texas leads the all-time series, but is 4-6 against the Sooners in the last ten games. If OU can win at No. 6 Florida State and home against No. 21 Missouri, this could be the biggest game for Texas. The last time the Longhorns played a top-ranked Oklahoma team, Texas wound up on top, 45-35, in 2008.

No. 1: Texas at No. 8 Texas A&M

This may be the biggest Lone Star Showdown to date. Texas A&M has its best team in the past 15 years and has beaten Texas three out of the past five years.

Senior receiver Jeff Fuller returns and is a favorite for the Fred Biletnikoff Award. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill will start for the Aggies this season after taking over for Jerrod Johnson during A&M's victory over Kansas last year.

After playing receiver for most of his career at A&M, Tannehill threw for 1,638 yards and 13 touchdowns in eight games for the Aggies.

The Aggies will have the 12th man this year for the annual Thanksgiving game against Texas. It will be Garrett Gilbert's first start in College Station, if he gets the opportunity to lead the Longhorns that long.

Outcome

Texas has an opportunity to stun the nation this year. On the other hand, they could have a repeat season from 2010.

It is in the hands of Garrett Gilbert and new co-offensive coordinators Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite. The running game will need to be a factor to ease the stress on Gilbert. Harsin has been the mastermind behind Boise State's entertaining and high-scoring offense for the past ten years.

The defense will also need to step up. Underachieving may be the best word to describe the Longhorns defense last year. The talent is there, and it is up to new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz to put together a suffocating defense.

Mack Brown may not be in trouble yet. He has led Texas to four BCS bowl games, including two title berths and one BCS national title. However, if he fails to reach a bowl game for a second consecutive year, he may not be in Austin for much longer. That shouldn't be a problem, as long as Texas plays to the level they are capable of.