ESPN analytics expert Bill Connelly likes Texas heading into its final season in the Big 12. He does not appear to like much else in the Longhorns’ current conference.
Connelly said the following of Texas’ need to capitalize on a weakened Big 12 Conference.
“OU’s got upside but no depth. KSU’s got the line play but might lack upside now. OSU and TCU might have the depth (Tech, too), but defense is sketchy. I like UCF’s roster, but they collapsed late in 2022. Baylor’s depth on D and OL is perilous.”
There’s plenty to unpack there, but the first sentence stands out after saying it for much of the offseason. Oklahoma will be great if starters stay healthy. That’s a significant condition and one it certainly cannot count on in any season.
Jalil Farooq is a terrific player, the offensive line is solid and the defense has significantly upgraded, but imagine what the Sooners look like if Farooq isn’t healthy or the team plays without two offensive line starters. It probably looks like the spring game looked for the Oklahoma offense.
The other primary challenger is Kansas State, who Connelly says might lack upside. That feels like a narrow view of the team given quarterback Will Howard is more dynamic than most quarterbacks who have led the Wildcats.
Let’s nip the Oklahoma State and TCU depth credit in the bud: TCU lost several draft picks in the past NFL draft. While they could be good, the frogs figure to have depth issues. As for Oklahoma State, the Cowboys didn’t have the NFL draft success the Horned Frogs had and somehow lost more than TCU in the portal.
The underlying point is clear and reasonable: Texas has every reason to win the Big 12 this season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian needs to capitalize.
OU's got upside but no depth.
KSU's got the line play but might lack upside now.
OSU and TCU *might* have the depth (Tech, too), but defense is sketchy.
I like UCF's roster, but they collapsed late in 2022.
Baylor's depth on D and OL is *perilous*.
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) June 29, 2023