Last Updated on August 6, 2010 6:00 pm by drew
Texas Season Odds
Texas was the runner-up for the BCS National Championship at the end of the 2009 season. Can the Longhorns take one step up in 2010?
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Mack Brown enters his 13th season with the Longhorns and he is coming off his ninth-straight season with 10 wins or more.
In 2010, the Longhorns have to make a big adjustment as they will be without Colt McCoy at quarterback. Taking over is sophomore Garrett Gilbert, who played most of the championship game against Alabama. Gilbert threw for 310 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in his limited play in 2009.
Gilbert has five starters back on offense, but returns just two offensive linemen. Leading rusher Tre’ Newton is back, but he had just 552 yards on the ground last season.
Texas will also have to replace Jordan Shipley at wide receiver, who was an All-American with 116 receptions and 1,485 yards and 13 scores in 2009. Malcom Williams and James Kirkendoll combined for 87 receptions and over 1,000 yards and they both return.
On defense, Texas returns seven starters from a group that allowed just 16.7 points and 252 yards per-game. The Longhorns will be strong in the secondary, returning three of four starters, including two All-Big 12 honorees. Cornerback Curtis Brown had 15 pass deflections alone in 2009.
On the defensive line, Sam Acho is back at defensive tackle. Acho had 10 sacks and 63 tackles in 2009.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com currently list Texas at 12/1 to win the 2011 BCS National Championship. The Longhorns are also listed at 2/1 to win the Big 12 Conference and 3/2 to win the Big 12 South Division.
Texas has a tame schedule but key games with Oklahoma and at Nebraska will make or break its season. Texas will have to be carried by its defense as Gilbert comes along. Texas will have some issues on offense as it can’t rely too much on its running game with an inexperienced offensive line and the passing game has too many missing pieces. In terms of national title contention, we feel Oklahoma and Nebraska are both better betting options than the Longhorns this season.
2010 Over/Under Win Total: 9.5
2011 BCS Championship Odds: Texas Longhorns 12/1
2010 Big 12 Championship Odds: Texas Longhorns 2/1
2010 Big 12 South Division Championship Odds: Texas Longhorns 3/2
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Posted: 8/6/10 6:00PM ET