ESPN’s College Gameday made waves on social media with its Big 12 predictions. The show’s college football analysts Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee and its host Rece Davis all picked the Texas Longhorns to win the conference.
The panel made light of the pick after each selection was revealed. Kirk Herbstreit quipped that the graphic on the screen could haunt the crew later should the Longhorns lay an egg in 2023. Nevertheless, it still seemed enough like a slam dunk selection that the whole crew opted to vote in favor of the team.
Rece Davis pondered whether or not the upcoming season is a referendum on the football program.
“Is it now or never for Texas? … This seems to be the year they need to make that step forward. They’re a game over .500 under Sarkisian, they haven’t been good on the road. This is a big opportunity.”
The trio spent much of the time answering the question by discussing the improved culture and talent in Austin. Even so, the task of facing an SEC schedule looms large for the program. Winning the conference would go a long way toward proving Texas’ legitimacy as it heads to its new conference.
The expectations for a successful season are clear for Texas: Win 10 games or win a Big 12 championship. It will aim to live up to those expectations on the field.