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Texas Football: The Longhorns are back…for real this time

By Richard Kimball

WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns looks on as the Texas Longhorns play the Baylor Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns looks on as the Texas Longhorns play the Baylor Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

The Longhorn Offense

Last season, one of the biggest week-by-week questions surrounding the Longhorns was who would start at quarterback. From better play to injuries, Junior Shane Buechele and Sophomore Sam Ehlinger split the starting role and both appeared in nine games in 2017.

For much of the season, especially towards the conclusion, fans were calling for Ehlinger to get the firm nod as the starter and nothing has changed heading into the 2018 campaign. And the fans have it right this time. Not only was Ehlinger the best quarterback of the two but he led the team in rushing with 381 yards, bringing something else to the table Buechele cannot.

The quarterback woes were just the icing on the cake for the Longhorns’ offense last season. The Longhorns ranked 58th in total offense and 53rd in points per game. But expect a big bounce back from the Longhorn offense in 2018.

The Longhorns will have fifth-year senior Andrew Beck back from injury at tight end, that will not only add another target in the air but will contribute to the run game as well. In addition to the return of Beck, both Collin Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who lead the team in yards and receptions last season, are back as primary targets for the Longhorn passing game.

But for the Texas offense to succeed it will need a vast improvement from their run game. The Longhorns finished 96th in rushing yards per game in 2018, averaging 139.6 yards, so there is plenty of room for improvement. The Longhorn backfield returns last year’s leading rushers in Daniel Young and Toneil Carter, but freshman Keaontay Ingram looks to not only add an extra body in the backfield but to compete for the starting position. With experience and depth, the Longhorns’ ground attack should vastly improve from their 2017 performance.

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