Five Questions Texas Must Answer Going into Fall Practice

Apr 19, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Desmond Jackson (99) tackles running back Eddie Aboussie (21) during the Spring Game at Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

2. How much better will the defense be this season?

You don’t need to look at the numbers to know the Texas defense was lackluster last year. Manny Diaz was fired following the embarrassing loss to the BYU Cougars. Brown brought Greg Robinson back, but teams still gashed the Longhorn defense on a regular basis. The statistics didn’t match up to the talent on the roster.

Texas ranked sixth in the Big 12 in total defense. The Longhorns were fifth and sixth, respectively, in pass and run defense. Even more troubling was the red zone defense. Texas finished second-to-last, allowing touchdowns on 87 percent of opponent’s trips inside the 20 yard line.

What is in store for the 2014 season? Texas returns essentially everyone from last year, minus Jackson Jeffcoat, Chris Whaley, Adrian Phillips, Carrington Byndom and Reggie Wilson. The linebacking group gets Jordan Hicks back. Hicks has battled injuries throughout his career at Texas. If he can stay healthy, it will help compensate for a thin defensive end position.

The Texas defense got pushed around last year, plain and simple. Strong and new defensive coordinator Vance Bedford will try to right the ship and make the defense stout again. The ability is there. This is not a defense devoid of highly-recruited athletes. The question is if the coaches can get these players to live up to their billing. The difference between a seven-win season and a ten-win season could come on this side of the ball.