Texas Longhorns
Big 12
Have we seen the last of Texas football coach Mack Brown? Although the Longhorns played well enough to win a spot in the Alamo Bowl… essentially a home game for the Longhorns, even though it is in San Antonio… Brown may not be around to coach it. Rumors have swirled about his fate since the beginning of the season, and Brown has refuted rumors of his resignation following an 8-4 regular season. Still, the Texas football community hopes this is resolved prior to the end of the month, when the Alamo Bowl is played. There is also hope Texas can end the season with nine victories and a strong springboard into the following season.
2013 Record: 8-4, 7-2
Coach: Mack Brown
Coach Bowl Record: 13-7
Big Wins: 9/21 Kansas State (31-21), 10/12 Oklahoma (36-20)
Bad Losses: 9/7 at BYU (21-40), 11/9 at West Virginia (40-47 OT)
Strengths:
With 31.2 points per game in 2013, the Texas offense ranks below that of three other FBS programs in the Lone Star State – even that of North Texas. When was the last time you saw that happen? It was enough to earn the Longhorns eight victories, including a 7-2 start to the regular season. Texas has 197.6 yards rushing per game, enough to rank in the top third among FBS schools, and this is due in part to the presence of Johnathan Gray (780 yards, four touchdowns) and Malcolm Brown (774 yards, nine touchdowns). The Longhorn defense has also been quite strong, as Jackson Jeffcoat racked up 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Jeffcoat also recovered three fumbles, making his presence known on defense in a big way. Don’t forget Cedric Reed, who has 75 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and nine sacks. It should come as no surprise the Texas defense is in the top 10 in the nation in sacks.
Weaknesses:
Quarterbacks of the past have been well known at Texas, including Vince Young. Case McCoy is a serviceable QB but will not be regarded as one of the greatest QB’s to walk through the Austin campus. McCoy has 11 touchdowns but also has 11 interceptions and only 1,893 yards passing. Put those numbers up against players like Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Alabama’s A.J. McCarron and you can see why Texas has struggled to score when its passing game struggles. Losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State are understandable given how tough the Big 12 was, but losses to Ole Miss and Brigham Young are head scratchers for a program the caliber of Texas. It is clear that rushing and defense are the Longhorn bread and butter this year, and the passing leaves a bit to be desired.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Johnathan Gray, RB, 780 yards
Passing: Case McCoy, QB, 1,885 yards
Receiving: Mike Davis, WR, 715 yards
Tackles: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, 80
Sacks: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, 12.0
Interceptions: Duke Thomas, CB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 200.7 (36th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 241.1 (56, 5)
Total Offense: 441.8 (43, 4)
Scoring Offense: 33.1 (42, 5)
Rushing Defense: 176.6 (77, 6)
Pass Defense: 215.8 (37, 2)
Total Defense: 392.5 (54, 6)
Scoring Defense: 25.1 (53, 5)
Turnover Margin: 0.7 (19, 3)
Sacks: 3.18 (4, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.18 (20, 2)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2012 Alamo Bowl Oregon State (31-27)
2011 Holiday Bowl California (21-10)
2009 BCS Championship Alabama (21-37)
2008 Fiesta Bowl Ohio State (24-21)
2007 Holiday Bowl Arizona State (52-34)
2006 Alamo Bowl Iowa (26-24)
*all team stats through 11/30
