Texas Football: Game-by-game predictions for the Longhorns in 2018

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 07: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns and Antwuan Davis #7 sing The Eyes of Texas after the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 07: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns and Antwuan Davis #7 sing The Eyes of Texas after the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 15
Next
Texas Longhorns vs. Maryland
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Lil’Jordan Humphrey #84 of the Texas Longhorns leaps over a Maryland Terrapins defender in the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

It’s interesting to figure what to expect from the Horns in Week 1. Most of the defense is returning starters from last season, but the offense could have a few new faces. Herman will likely wait until the opening drive of the matchup with the Terps to show his hand on who the starting quarterback will be to start the season.

Let’s go with the likely favorite to win the starting job at this point and assume that sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger gets the nod. Last year, it was Shane Buechele that got the start against the Terps and performed pretty well. The defense was the dooming factor for Texas despite the strong performance from Buechele.

Redshirt freshman Maryland quarterback Kasim Hill is likely to get the start for the Terps. Hill played for a few snaps in the injury filled battle with the Horns in Austin last year. However, he’s an electric quarterback that can use his legs to keep any defense honest. However, Texas has faced him before and will hold him in check here.

Texas learned its lesson in facing the Terps’ offense last season and will turn the table in this game. Ehlinger will also have his best statistical game in his career up to this point with five total touchdowns in a dominant victory. Altogether, the Texas ground game manages four touchdowns and over 250 yards. Maryland doesn’t stand a chance while playing in its home state.

Final Score: Texas 52, Maryland 28 (1-0)