Texas Football: 2017 Season preview, predictions and more

Offense

With the No. 89 pick of the 2017 NFL Draft the Houston Texans selected D’Onta Foreman. Foreman’s decision to enter the draft occurred far before the selection, but when the commissioner announced his name the finality of his leaving seemed to stick. Foreman wasn’t just a part of the Longhorn offense in 2016, he was the Longhorn offense.

Foreman carried the ball 323 times last season. That more than 100 carries more than any other player in the Big 12. His 2,028 yards on the ground was second most in the country, second most in the history of Texas football and second most in Big 12 history. Foreman is one of 28 players in the history of D1 Football to reach the 2,000 yard mark in a single season.

And he’s gone.

Veteran quarterback play

That leaves the weight of the Texas offense resting solely on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Shane Buechele. The number four ranked dual threat quarterback in the class of 2016, Buechele had stretches where it looked like he had what it took to carry a team. His biggest moment came late in the Longhorn’s game against Baylor. In that game he led two scoring drives in the final quarter to hand the 6-0 Bears their first loss of the season.

Buechele’s 21 to 11 touchdown to interception ratio leaves something to be desired, as does his yard per attempt (7.6). However, those numbers are bound to jump up when he’s asked to do more for the offense in 2017. He returns four of his top five leading receivers and has the mechanics to make all the throws he’ll be asked to make. If Buechele can click in Herman’s offense he should easily top the 2,958 passing yard he tallied in 2016.