When Tom Herman was brought to Texas in 2017, it had been eight years since the Longhorns were serious contenders for a Big 12 championship. Going into year four, Herman has yet to make Texas a conference contender year in and year out.
The 2018 season is the only year in which Texas has even made the Big 12 championship, losing out to arch-rivals Oklahoma. Last season was a disappointment, going 7-5 in the regular season and watching the Sooners win a fifth straight conference title.
After Saturday’s scrimmage, Herman was asked what the standard was for the upcoming season. His response was what it always has been, for Texas to be “competing for and winning Big 12 championships.”
When asked what constitutes a successful season, Herman said the standard remains “competing for and winning Big 12 championships.”
— Horns247 (@Horns247) August 15, 2020
If there has been a season during Herman’s tenure to compete for a conference championship, it is 2020.
Senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger is a big factor in those expectations. The Austin native is coming into his third full season of being the starting quarterback and is arguably the best in the Big 12. His experience and talent are going to go a long way, especially in a brand new offensive system.
However, what the Longhorns missed out on dearly last season was experience on the defensive side of the ball. Now, nine starters return, including Jack Joesph Ossai and safety Caden Sterns. In a conference dominated by offensive talent, the Longhorns’ defense was not up to a championship level standard.
Even during weird times in college football, Texas should be a top contender in the Big 12 at a minimum. Herman has expressed that is the goal of the program every single year.
Now, it is time for delivery. A normal Big 12 schedule will be played for the Longhorns, even if the order is mixed up from the original one. Not only playing at AT&T Stadium in December should be the goal but winning the game as well.
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