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College Football: Each conference’s biggest sleeper contender for 2019

By Luke Feliciano

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers watches the action during the second quarter of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between LSU and Central Florida at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Ed Orgeron of the LSU Tigers watches the action during the second quarter of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between LSU and Central Florida at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Tom Herman celebrates with Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns after defeating Georgia Bulldogs 28-21 during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Tom Herman celebrates with Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns after defeating Georgia Bulldogs 28-21 during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Big 12: Texas Longhorns

The Tom Herman era in Austin got off to an inauspicious start in 2017 when Texas stumbled to a mediocre 7-6 record.

It was an improvement from three consecutive losing seasons, but a .538 winning percentage doesn’t sit pretty for one of college football’s most preeminent programs.

In 2018, the Longhorns accomplished big things. In spite of losing to Maryland to open the season for the second straight season, Texas was in the four-team hunt for the top two spots in the Big 12 — the two positions that punch a ticket to the newly-minted conference championship game.

Some highlights from last season include Texas’ last-minute field goal against then-ranked No. 7 Oklahoma and a Sugar Bowl win against Georgia to bookend the year.

Perhaps the biggest key piece returning for the Longhorns is junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. His breakout sophomore campaign saw him pass for more than 3,200 yards and throw for 25 touchdowns.

Ehlinger also took care of the ball, only surrendering five interceptions and completing 64 percent of his passes. His experience as a starter — starting 20 of the 23 games he’s played in — should go a long way for next season.

Ehlinger is arguably one of the most underrated runners in the country. He doesn’t have lightning quick speed but he is athletic and can gain yardage with his legs.

This is backed up by his 432 rushing yards as well as the 16 rushing touchdowns he recorded last season — the program-best for rushing touchdowns in a single season by a quarterback.

Ehlinger won’t have last year’s leading rusher Tre Watson or go-to wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey at his disposal next season, but he should be able to turn to reliable receivers Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay.

The Longhorns lose a fair amount on the defensive side of the ball, but in a conference that is known for its high scoring affairs, a potent offense might be the key to a successful season.

While many have Texas finishing within the top three in the Big 12 in 2019, the Longhorns can be considered a sleeper pick simply because Oklahoma has dominated the conference.

The Sooners produced the last two Heisman trophy winners as well as the last two first overall selections in the NFL Draft.

Additionally, Oklahoma has won every Big 12 Championship Game since its reformatting in 2017 and both came as the No. 1 seed.

The saying “Texas football is back” may actually ring true in 2019 if the Longhorns are able to usurp their place atop the Big 12.

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