College Football 2013 Top 25 Preview: No. 20 Texas Longhorns

2012 Recap: Texas entered the season with hype and returning starters. They ended up 9-4. After finishing in the Top 10 in yards allowed per play three consecutive years, the Longhorns fell to 85th, while losing Jackson Jeffcoat and Jordan Hicks. They could not handle very good to elite offenses. They gave up big plays. It was just a mess. The second-straight blowout against Oklahoma left a sour taste.

The Defense: The Longhorns should have everything they need. They lose Alex Okafor and Kenny Vaccaro, but return pretty much the entire two-deep beyond them. They have top-shelf starters, including Jeffcoat, Hicks and cornerback Quandre Diggs. Manny Diaz did not just forget how to coach defense. This unit should progress significantly, though the Top 10 yards allowed per play range might be pushing it.

Ceiling: 12-0. The Longhorns’ luck flips. Their offense is explosive. Their defense is good to very good. They close the power vacuum at the top of a good, but not great Big 12.

Floor: 6-6. Quarterback is a lingering issue. The defense does not solidify. The team gets riddled with injuries again. All four of Texas’ road games are potential trouble points. The Longhorns fall to 4-5 in the Big 12.

Prediction: 10-2. Texas may be “back” and even be the best team in the Big 12. Everything lines up on paper for a title run, but, after going horns up last year and getting burned, we’ll hedge until proven otherwise. This team has not shown a pulse in years and there are too many pitfalls on the schedule.

[Photos via USA Today Sports]

25. USC 24. Miami 23. Northwestern 22. Oregon State 21. Nebraska