Texas Football: Early bold predictions for the Longhorns in 2018

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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 24: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

4. Sam Ehlinger takes hold of the starting job and garners All-Big 12 honors

Predicting sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger to win the starting job is not bold at all. But, saying that he’s a lock for All-Big 12 honors in 2018 is a less likely statement. Ehlinger is set for a stiff competition with junior Shane Buechele to win the starting gig under center.

This Week 1 road matchup against the Maryland Terrapins means so much to the eventual firm winner of the starting quarterback job. Buechele was not able to take down the Terps last season, so this should be Ehlinger’s turn to take a stab at a Week 1 victory.

If Texas sees a better result in the win column this year, it wouldn’t take too much in the way of progression in the stat line for Ehlinger to be a candidate for All-Big 12 honors. The problem for Ehlinger is doing what no other Texas quarterback has consistently done since the departure of Colt McCoy.

Regularly leading the Horns to victory from the quarterback spot is starting to become a more and more foreign idea to the fan base. If Ehlinger is able to bring that idea back to Texas football, he’ll be so highly regarded that he could work his way into Heisman contention in 2018 and 2019.

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