Griffin McVeigh: 9-3
On paper, a nine-win season may not seem like the best result under first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian. My first glance predictions include losses to Oklahoma, Iowa State, and one random game the Longhorns had no business losing in. At the moment, there is an ‘I will believe it when I see it’ attitude with me. Yes, this team has all of the tools to compete for a conference championship right away. But, I am not going to invest too heavily in what is being sold until the product is shown.
The biggest determinant towards pushing for 10 wins and a Big 12 championship will be Pete Kwiatkowski and the continued progression of the defense. During the final stages of the 2020 season, Chris Ash’s unit was winning more games for Texas compared to the offense. If players such as DeMarvion Overshown and D’Shawn Jamison can continue their near All-Big 12 play with a steady JACK position player emerging, the Longhorns’ defense could boost them closer to their ceiling.
Cami Griffin:10-2
When you take a look at how Texas performed throughout the 2020 season, three games could have gone either way. As close as they were to being undefeated in conference play, they were just as close to dropping five games.
Sarkisian’s offensive game plan, in-game adjustments, and personnel use should fix many of the mistakes suffered under former head coach Tom Herman. I believe Sarkisian will field a disciplined unit that has the talent to win eight or nine games in the Big 12.
Texas shouldn’t have too much trouble with their nonconference opponents. The Longhorns have a rough stretch of games in October with TCU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State — it will be tough to win all three. Sarkisian’s squad will beat one of either Iowa State or Oklahoma, and the second loss will be an upset team such as West Virginia or TCU.
Shane Carter: 9-3
Regardless of whoever wins the quarterback competition, it’s going to be a lot to ask of a first-year starter and a first-year head coach to do the unthinkable. As far as talent goes, this year’s Texas team looks even better. Especially on defense with the returning starters of DeMarvion Overshown, D’Shawn Jamison, Juwan Mitchell, and Josh Thompson. There’s also the additions of transfer linebacker Ray Thornton from LSU and numerous incoming freshman studs.
The only losses that I have on this schedule are the Red River Shootout vs. Oklahoma, Iowa State in Ames, and traveling to TCU where Texas has lost three of their last four. Aside from these three, the Longhorns have a real shot to start the Sarkisian Era off with a nine-win season.