The expectations for 2020 are simple for the Texas Longhorns. Make the Big 12 Championship game. Even with the poor 7-5 season, Texas was still in the race for an appearance in the final quarter of the season. All it will take it some improvements on the offensive and defensive side of the ball and the Longhorns will have a great chance at achieving their goal.
Taking it one level further, once in the game, winning it would be an even better prize. It would be the first conference championship for Texas since 2009 and its fourth Big 12 title in program history.
The quarterback play from Sam Ehlinger needs to take another level up in order for the Longhorns to truly improve. Once you get past him, it is an elite level defense that is missing from this team. The defense can not only take the pressure off the offense and what they are doing, but it can create opportunities for Ehlinger to truly survive.
If all of that comes together, beating some of the top teams in the conference will be crucial. In 2018, it was a hump the Longhorns could overcome, losing to third-place West Virginia and fourth place Iowa State, but the Big 12 has gotten better and a couple losses may be the end of your season. Winning against top-level competition will be the key determinant of who plays in the Big 12 Championship game next season.
Here are three ways Texas can win the Big 12 in 2020: