Predicting just how good Texas will be in 2023 is quite difficult.
On one hand, the Longhorns have one of the most talented rosters in the country with experience all over the board. On the other, Texas has spent the last decade or so consistently underwhelming and underperforming.
As Texas fans tell themselves every year, things will be different this season. However, if the Longhorns actually play up to their potential it very well could be. Texas was ranked right outside of the top 10 at No. 11 by the AP Poll for their preseason rankings, and they are viewed as a legitimate contender.
Every team in the country, regardless of how good they think they are, have a ceiling and a floor. ESPN broke down the best and worst cases for every team while also releasing their power rankings. Contrary to the AP Poll, Texas was No. 10 in the country.
They believe that Texas’ best case scenario is to play for a national title, citing the fact that after playing Alabama in Week 2 they have a very favorable schedule.
Steve Sarkisian has won two national championships as an assistant at USC and Alabama, and the Longhorns have the talent to play for a national championship. Week 2’s showcase against Alabama doesn’t have to make or break them, but a good showing or a win in Tuscaloosa could get Sarkisian over the hump. After that, they don’t leave Texas for a game until Nov. 18 against an Iowa State team plagued by a gambling scandal. As usual, the Oklahoma game could make or break the Longhorns. If they can dominate the Sooners again, after a 49-0 win last year, there’s a manageable schedule, with road games against Baylor and Houston before a Nov. 11 showdown in Fort Worth on Nov. 11; the Frogs are 7-3 against Texas in their past 10 games.
The worst case is believed to be possible if they don’t get consistency out of Quinn Ewers and the offense. This would lead to a controversial and distracting quarterback battle. ESPN’s Dave Wilson also explained that just because they have a favorable schedule for things to go right, those same games can turn into horrific upsets.
If they don’t win at least nine games, it’s fair to assume seats will be getting a tad warmer in Austin.