Texas Football: Can Tom Herman finally win Big 12 title in 2020?

How will Texas football fare in 2020?

Texas is one of many teams that were hurt by not having spring or summer practices due to the COVID-19 crisis. It’s difficult to install new offensive and defensive systems when players cannot practice. There is only so much that film study and simulations can do. At some point, you have to get on the field and practice what you have learned.

That makes Texas challenging to predict. They have upperclassmen all over both their offense and defense, but they also have new offensive and defensive coordinators. Continuity counts for a lot, especially with the coaching staff, and the Longhorns are short on that.

How much autonomy does Yurcich have? Will Herman take an active role in the offense, given the shortened practice time? Here’s a prediction of their schedule:

• Sept. 12: vs. UTEP — This should be an easy win against a Group of Five filler.
• Sept. 26: at Texas Tech — Very quietly under second-year head coach Matt Wells, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are amassing quite the group of wide receivers. This game comes down to whether or not Red Raiders quarterback Alan Bowman is healthy. This one could quickly turn into a shootout. Tech with an upset here at home in Lubbock. Prediction: Loss
• Oct. 3: vs. TCU — The Longhorns lost this game last season. It’s hard to improve when you cannot practice. That’s the issue with Max Duggan and the Frogs currently. The Horned Frogs lost their best offensive player and two of their best defensive players. The Longhorns should be able to exploit both. Prediction: Win
• Oct. 10: vs. Oklahoma (Dallas, Texas) — Despite breaking in a new quarterback, it is difficult to bet against the Sooners. They’ve won seven of the last 10, including one for the conference title. This is their second conference game — and possibly their second game of the season — so it stands to reason they won’t be acclimated to their new offense and defense just yet. Prediction: Loss
• Oct. 24: vs. Baylor — The Bears have been one of the premier teams in the conference the last couple of years under Matt Rhule. Last season culminated in a championship game appearance and the Sugar Bowl. Rhule is in Carolina, and Baylor lost a ton from last season’s team. Prediction: Win 
• Oct. 31: at Oklahoma State — If not, now, when? That should be the mantra of the Oklahoma State Cowboys. They have the best trio of players in the conference, and no one in the league returns more of last season’s production than the ‘Pokes. This is a game in which they prove their contenders. Prediction: Loss
• Nov. 7: vs. West Virginia — Head coach Neal Brown has the Mountaineers trending in the right direction, but they are still a year or two away. The offensive line needs overhauling, and their defense was one of the worst in the country. Brown seems to have found his quarterback, but the Mountaineers have a long way to go. Prediction: Win
• Nov. 21: at Kansas — This game should not be a two-point affair like last season. Kansas lost their starting quarterback from last season, and the defense is still awful. Despite having new coordinators, the Longhorns should win this game going away. Prediction: Win
• Nov. 28: vs. Iowa State — Is this finally the year? Everyone has waited for the Cyclones and Matt Campbell to have their breakout season. Everything that could go wrong for Iowa State went wrong last season. Some of it was their own doing, however. It’s hard to say, but this looks like the year the Cyclones breakout. Prediction: Loss
• Dec. 5: at Kansas State — The Longhorns end their Big 12 schedule with a 50/50 game. The Wildcats are always tough at home. However, can the Wildcats score enough points to keep up with the Longhorns? That could be the issue for the Wildcats all season. Prediction: Win

Prediction: 6-4

Not precisely back for the Longhorns. The Longhorns will struggle without Devin Duvernay at the receiver and learning a new offense and defense without spring and summer practice. From a talent perspective, they have not separated themselves from the pack like their rival Oklahoma has.