Tag: Big 12 media days

On3 Sports forecasts how Texas could fail to win Big 12

On3 Sports’ Jesse Simonton uncovers the Longhorns’ blind spots for 2023.

Every team has blind spots. On3 Sports’ Jesse Simonton exposed the Longhorns’ deficiencies heading into the 2023 season. He gave objective and fair analysis on how Texas could fail to reach expectations this season.

We have made our views on Texas clear as it heads toward its final season in the Big 12. The team has an overwhelming advantage over opposition when its wide receivers, offensive line, tight end and secondary take the field.

While we tend to stay away from the word failure, it’s hard to find another word for missing out on a 10-win season this year. The 2020 Longhorns squad was viewed as a favorite in the conference. Albeit the team had far less proven commodities and far more holes.

Here are three reasons Simonton gave for this year’s mostly complete squad falling below its lofty expectations.

Previewing the first session of Big 12 media days in Arlington

TCU, Texas, Kansas and others will speak to the Big 12 media in the first media day session on Wednesday.

Big 12 media days start Wednesday, and we have questions for every team. Seven of the 14 teams will speak to the media in the first session. The first group of teams goes as follows: TCU, Houston, Kansas, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas and BYU.

TCU became the first Big 12 team to win a College Football Playoff game last season. Prior to its entrance, Oklahoma (0-4) was the only other team in the conference to appear in the semifinal. Even so, there are plenty of questions for TCU after losing several key contributors to the NFL draft.

Kansas and Texas are trending picks to compete for a conference title this season. Among Big 12 teams, both return far and away the most production from last season. Still many doubt each team’s ability to shake its last decade and change of underwhelming play.

Houston and Oklahoma State have the most questions to answer heading into 2023. After portal and NFL draft losses, the outlook for the upcoming season looks bleak. Yesterday, I predicted the Cowboys to finish last in the Big 12.

Here’s a look at questions we’d like answered in Wednesday’s anticipated media session.

Longhorns Wire: Final Big 12 record predictions ahead of media days

TCU moves back up in this final Big 12 record prediction with Texas still No. 1.

Big 12 media week is upon us. The Texas Longhorns enter the week of discussion as the clear favorite to win the Big 12 title.

Naysayers will naysay, but the reality is that no team returns or adds what Texas has in the fold for 2023. It’s hard to naysay this: Texas has the best wide receiver room, offensive line, tight end, secondary and individual linebacker in the Big 12. If not Texas, who has better?

Kansas State returns some key pieces from last year’s title team and Oklahoma brings in several starter caliber players through the transfer portal. Even so, K-State’s departures are more significant than most, while Oklahoma had plenty of starter roles to fill.

Outside of the three above teams, TCU and Texas Tech stand as the primary contenders, with Kansas, UCF and Baylor not far behind. On the whole, the Big 12 is a good league in the middle. It simply doesn’t have much firepower at the top.

Here’s a look at what the Big 12 standings could look like in its final season with Oklahoma and Texas.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly picks apart Big 12 conference outside of Texas

Bill Connelly praises Texas, picks apart Oklahoma in analysis of Big 12 teams.

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.

Texas announces players that will attend Big 12 Media Days

In his media days selection, Steve Sarkisian’s statement is clear about which players will lead the 2023 squad.

Texas has determined its representatives for Big 12 Media Days. The names are all familiar this season. Continue reading “Texas announces players that will attend Big 12 Media Days”

Sirius XM Big 12 radio producer reveals Big 12 standings prediction

Talented continuity helps Texas top another Big 12 standings prediction.

Big 12 media days is around the corner, and media who cover the league have submitted their preseason league standings predictions. Sirius XM Big 12 radio producer Robbie Triano unveiled his conference standings picks.

Triano’s prediction goes as follows.

  1. Texas
  2. Kansas State
  3. Oklahoma State
  4. Oklahoma
  5. TCU
  6. UCF
  7. Texas Tech
  8. Baylor
  9. BYU
  10. Kansas
  11. West Virginia
  12. Houston
  13. Cincinnati
  14. Iowa State

The two most eye opening predictions involved the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Tech is widely regarded as a conference title contender based on what it returns. The Cowboys lose more than they return from a team that endured a monumental collapse in the conference title race last year.

Texas, Kansas State and Oklahoma rightfully slot inside the top four. The Longhorns return the No. 3 statistical defense from last season among Big 12 teams. Iowa State and Cincinnati ranked ahead of Texas last season.

Oklahoma returns the nation’s No. 13 offense, while Kansas State was respectable on both sides of the football.

We’ll soon know which teams the rest of the Big 12 media view as the league’s best heading into the 2023 season. Expect Texas, K-State, Oklahoma and Texas Tech to each slot inside the top five.

Dates to know for the Texas football offseason

Put these offseason dates for Texas football in your calendar.

The Texas football season is year round. Running backs coach Tashard Choice updated fans on how the Longhorns will spend their offseason and how supporters can participate in offseason activity.

This offseason figures to be less eventful than the last despite plenty of talented players pushing for playing time. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has more reason for faith in his quarterback Quinn Ewers than he had in a neck-and-neck quarterback battle with Hudson Card. Now, the team can focus on fine-tuning its lineup rather than opting for an overhaul.

Multiple players will garner fans’ attention led by freshman quarterback Arch Manning. The Louisiana product likely won’t see as much playing time this season, but spring will give fans a first look at Arch in burnt orange.

Jalen Catalon, AD Mitchell and Isaiah Neyor figure to be the biggest impact additions for the team this year. Their impact will be worth monitoring over the spring and fall.

Here are a few dates to know about the Longhorns’ offseason timeline.

Gary Patterson is helping Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian eliminate blind spots

With Gary Patterson’s help, Texas could have a more cohesive football team this season.

Steve Sarkisian went more in depth on Gary Patterson’s role when talking to the Big 12 media Thursday. One of Sarkisian’s better traits is self awareness, and his new mentor is working to further improve that strength.

According to the second-year head coach, Patterson is pointing out the flaws that Sarkisian does not notice.

Famously, the past two head coaches on the Forty Acres were unable to manage the entire Texas football program. The Longhorns’ current head coach is proactively adjusting to avoid the same pitfalls.

With the former TCU legend addressing what would otherwise get missed, Sarkisian only increased his chances of a successful tenure in Austin.

Patterson has succeeded at nearly every aspect in the head coaching profession. Few coaches are better at talent recognition, program building, game planning, or in-game adjustments. With the seasoned veteran coach in the fold, Texas could have a more cohesive football team this season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown is getting more looks at EDGE

DeMarvion Overshown could be the answer to Texas’ pass rush issues.

Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is back for one final season with the Longhorns. The fifth-year senior is planning on playing a multitude of roles for the Texas defense in 2022.

One spot where Overshown could provide a spark is at the EDGE position. The Longhorns struggled to create duress on opposing quarterbacks during the 2021 campaign. Texas ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in both sacks and quarterback pressures.

Fellow pass rusher Ovie Oghoufo has been providing Overshown some tips about the position change.

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski can get creative with the ways he dials up his defensive front. Giving Overshown more time at EDGE allows junior Jaylan Ford and James Madison transfer Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey more opportunity at linebacker. Two guys who Overshown mentioned as stand-out players during Big 12 Media Days.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Several Texas football players speak at Big 12 Media Days

The Texas players talked about leadership, team dynamics and scheme at Big 12 Media Days. Here’s some of the best quotes:

Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, DeMarvion Overshown, and Ovie Oghoufo spoke to Big 12 media in Arlington Thursday afternoon. The four were selected to represent the team as Steve Sarkisian begins his second season at Texas.

Among the important topics that emerged, team leadership and unity appeared to be a common theme for Steve Sarkisian and his players. Sarkisian had high praise for backup running back Roschon Johnson.

Much has been made of Johnson’s emerging role as the vocal leader. That sentiment was echoed by his head coach, who called Johnson an, “alpha,” who demanded the very best from his teammates.

The players also touched on the different personalities within the program, the new schematic additions, and the roles each player will fill.

Here’s a glimpse at what each player had to say to the media.