Texas Longhorns: Five keys to victory over Notre Dame

Oct 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jonathan Gray (32) runs with the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Red River showdown at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Longhorns football team needs to focus on these five areas to get a win over Notre Dame in their 2015 regular season opener.

The Texas Longhorn football team is going to have to play the best game of Charlie Strong’s tenure if they want to win their season opener against No. 11 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. There are a few facets of the game that the Longhorns must focus on to achieve victory in South Bend.

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Season opening game are notoriously sloppy contests as teams are breaking in new starters and oftentimes new coaches. They are wars of attrition filled with turnovers and penalties.

Texas will bring a young team to South Bend. There are five true freshmen who will start against Notre Dame. Texas has 16 true freshmen listed on their depth chart.

The Longhorns were 6-7 in 2014 and ended the season with consecutive blowout losses to TCU and Arkansas. They need a good showing against Notre Dame to instill confidence in Strong’s program.

Texas fired Mack Brown after the 2013 season when the Horns finished 8-5. Strong was brought in to change the culture at Texas. He has been tasked with molding the Horns into a physically and mentally tough outfit.

The 16 freshmen on the depth chart represent Strong’s first complete recruiting class. He had an entire year to evaluate and recruit players to Austin. If those freshmen play well in the season-opener on the road, it will bode well for Strong’s future at Texas.

The first game of the year can set the tone for the season. If Texas is blown out, there will be a lot of gnashing of teeth in Austin and Longhorn fans will openly question whether Strong is the right man to lead their program. If Texas plays the Irish close or wins the game, it will be a great indicator that Strong and the Longhorns are on the right track.

This is a look at five keys to victory for the Texas Longhorns in their game against the Fighting Irish.

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