Charlie Strong is already under a heck of a lot of pressure to start performing at a high level. The Texas Longhorns have largely underachieved over the course of the last several seasons, and this is the year where things really have to change before the demanding boosters start to get grumpy in search of change.
Texas Longhorns Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Texas Over 8 Wins ( +170 )
Texas Under 8 Wins ( -230 )
The good news for the Longhorns is that they have 15 starters returning from last year's team. The bad news is that that club didn't even qualify for a bowl game at 5-7 and really wasn't particularly good.
Towards the end of last season, Strong decided that enough was enough of Tyrone Swoopes, and he let Jerrod Heard take over. The results for Heard weren't great, as he completed just 57.9 percent of his passes and had five TDs against five picks. Still, he's incredibly athletic, and he's the best which Texas has. Now, he's had a full offseason under his belt knowing that he's the man, and he had better live up to his billing as a top recruit, or the Longhorns are in a heck of a lot of trouble.
It's on defense where the most improvement is needed, though. The Longhorns never ranked No. 107 in total defense when Mack Brown was in charge, but that's what Strong is up against at this point. Eight starters return from that unit, and the club has four senior starters on this side of the ball, so better things are expected. But at what point do collegiate athletes just flat out become busts? We might be at that point with Texas.
2016 Texas Longhorns Football Schedule
September 3 – vs. Notre Dame
September 10 – vs. UTEP
September 17 – at California
October 1 – at Oklahoma State
October 8 – vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
October 15 – vs. Iowa State
October 22 – at Kansas State
October 29 – vs. Baylor
November 5 – at Texas Tech
November 12 – vs. West Virginia
November 19 – at Kansas
November 24 – vs. TCU
When you look at this schedule, you can clearly make a case for the Longhorns to win eight games. You can also make a case for them to win just four or five.
The only real freebees on the docket are a home game with UTEP and a roadie against Kansas, though a home game against Iowa State really should be won with ease as well. Then again, with Baylor and TCU both coming to Austin and the toughest road game on the slate being at Oklahoma State (and of course, the game at the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma), there isn't that one game on the schedule which is a sure loss either.
QUICK PICK
Strong was the hottest coach in the country a few years ago, and the Longhorns whisked him away from Louisville. Both sides are probably regretting the move at this point, and we don't think that's changing this year.
There's a point that bettors just have to realize that this team isn't very good. Strong never has put together an elite recruiting class which has panned out, and we aren't convinced that Heard is one of the best five quarterbacks in the Big XII. Should Texas ultimately make it to a bowl game this year? You'd like to think so. But is this anywhere near a nine-win team to beat us? We really doubt it. There are just too many holes on both sides of the ball and too much improve which has to be made for us to believe this is a team which is beating at least one of Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Baylor and TCU, not to mention holding serve against the rest of the docket.
College Football Odds: Texas Longhorns Under 8 Wins
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
