One ‘what if’ for Texas Longhorns to become CFP contenders in 2024

The Texas Longhorns football program received a taste of the College Football Playoffs in 2023 after winning the Big 12 championship and finishing 12-1 ahead of the postseason. It didn’t go the way of the Burnt Orange as they were bounced in the CFP semifinal by the Washington Huskies 37-31 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

With the expanded field, the Longhorns should have ample opportunity to return to the playoff and avenge last season’s abrupt ending against the Huskies. Quinn Ewers returns to lead the offense once again with a new supporting cast at wide receiver that includes former Alabama Crimson Tide wideout Isaiah Bond.

The offense isn’t likely to be the reason for success or lack of success in the new-look SEC. The biggest question will reside on the defensive side of the ball. There are a handful of questions that need to be answered. One publication answered three what-ifs for the Texas Longhorns in 2024 to be serious contenders for the trophy.

According to ESPN (subscription required), one of those three “what ifs” includes the pass defense covering receivers on the back end.

Texas didn’t blitz a ton last season, which made it a bit confusing when they also didn’t contest many passes (25.2%, 103rd in FBS) and gave up a ton of big gains (46 passes of 20-plus yards, 108th). With a pair of frequently used corners departing, Sarkisian is hoping that transfers Jay’Vion Cole (San Jose State) and Andrew Mukuba (Clemson) both click alongside slot corner Jahdae Barron and excellent sophomore Malik Muhammad.

The Texas defense lost a plethora of talent on the defensive side of the ball to the NFL draft with defensive linemen Byron Murphy II (Seattle Seahawks), T’Vondre Sweat (Tennessee Titans) as well as linebackers Jaylan Ford (New Orleans Saints), Jett Bush (New England Patriots undrafted free agent)…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/one-texas-longhorns-become-cfp-172526918.html

Author : Longhorns Wire

Publish date : 2024-07-25 17:25:26

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