The expectations surrounding the Texas football program are sky high.
If you can’t compete for championships, you’re likely getting replaced. Athletic director Chris Del Conte has stated numerous times that the program holds itself to higher standards than the fans.
There’s several stepping stones that must be accomplished in order to hit the primary goal of a national championship. The Longhorns likely need to secure the Big 12 title in order to appear in the college football playoffs this season.
Unfortunately, the latest preseason poll by 247Sports projects Texas to finish fourth in the conference. While many would agree that the Big 12 title appears to be a four-team race, that’s certainly an underwhelming finish for a talented young roster with a Heisman trophy contender behind center.
However, consistency continues to be an issue in Austin. Not many projected the Longhorns to finish with five losses last season, but somehow they managed to do just that.
247Sports polled numerous experts across its network to vote on the projected order of finish for each Power Five conference. The results were generated via a point system, whereas first-place votes received 10 points, second-place votes received nine points, etc.
Texas narrowly finished behind Iowa State, while Oklahoma continues to control the Big 12. The Longhorns are scheduled to face Oklahoma State in the last game of the season, which could realistically have a trip to the Big 12 Championship game on the line.
1. Oklahoma, 86 points (7 first-place votes)
2. Oklahoma State, 77
3. Iowa State, 70 (1)
4. Texas, 69 (1)
5. TCU, 51
6. Kansas State, 39
7. Baylor, 38
T-8. Texas Tech, 28
T-8. West Virginia, 28
10. Kansas, 9