Tag: Texas vs Rice preview

Interesting takeaways from Texas’ initial depth chart against Rice

Texas’ depth chart reveals what the coaches are looking for stylistically in 2023.

The Texas Longhorns have released their first depth chart for the 2023 season. There are a handful of surprises although the main characters are about as expected.

Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers leads the offense with a loaded and fortified offensive line and wide receiver room. As expected, Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington are listed as starters with Ja’Tavion Sanders at tight end. Former five-star offensive lineman DJ Campbell is set to make his first start for the team in his second season in Austin.

Defensively there are reasonable personnel decisions with many of the expected starters where they should be slated. Albeit, we will note one glaring decision on the depth chart.

Let’s look at major takeaways from the Longhorns’ first depth chart of the 2023 season.

Expectations for Saturday’s game between No. 11 Texas and Rice

Texas needs execution on offense and risk-taking practice on defense against Rice.

The No. 11 Texas Longhorns and Rice Owls face off on Saturday afternoon to kick off the season. We expect big things from Texas in the game mostly because of what we expect this season.

The game presents different opportunities for both the offense and the defense. Offensively, we need to see consistency. For that, we need the offense to show it can execute plays over and over again. Given the talent on the offensive side and what Rice lacks defensively, it should result in a high score by halftime.

Texas does not need to press if it falls behind, but a well executed half should result in a high scoring output by halftime. If the Longhorns have executed they should have at least 28 points on the board at halftime. Again, they shouldn’t press to reach that total. It would simply reflect that the team did not execute plays offensively and needs to improve.

On defense, the team could benefit by taking more risks. Finding out what risks defensive backs can take could benefit the team when they need a play later in the season.

Earlier this week, we noted a five-touchdown line in favor of Texas. The team will look to perform up to expectations on Saturday.

College Football News previews matchup between No. 11 Texas and Rice

College Football News looks at how Texas will perform in the season opener.

It’s game week in Austin. Texas does not have a pushover in the first week according to College Football News. The site views the Rice Owls offense as one that could score on the Longhorns.

According to the respected site, Rice’s offense has a particularly strong receiver corps. We have noted Nebraska transfer Luke McCaffery, but CFN name drops Bradley Rosner as a player who could create issues for the Texas defense.

The quarterback throwing them the football is pretty good. The once five-star talent J.T. Daniels is now on his fourth college football team. He still possesses the arm that made him a coveted player out of high school.

CFN still sees the Longhorns winning decidedly. The site predicts the Longhorns will win, 52-16. The defense is viewed as what could be the team’s undoing in the game.

The publication opines that Texas has multiple NFL quarterbacks on hand with a loaded receiver room. Nevertheless, it questions the defense more than the offense in the game.

The Longhorns defense is nationally undervalued, but there are some weak points to exploit if you dig deep. Certainly, Texas allowed teams to chip away with long drives and third and fourth down conversions last season. It’s unlikely that Rice will be able to capitalize.

Texas will look to leave the game with a convincing and uneventful win.