Texas Football: 5 reasons the Longhorns could struggle in 2018

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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 07: DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns reacts after tackling Alex Delton #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats short of the goal line in the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

4. Defense can’t replicate what it did last year

Texas had one of the best defenses in the Big 12 last season, which is not usually something most programs in this conference focus on. Just the TCU Horned Frogs could boast that it possibly had a better defense all-around last year. Since TCU knocked off the Horns last season, this could be motivation for the Texas defense to become the best in the Big 12 without a doubt in 2018.

The area in which the Texas defense really thrived last season was with the front seven. Texas’ front seven was very deep and talented last season thanks to a multitude of options at linebacker and on the defensive line that were already proven. First-year defensive coordinator Todd Orlando also caught the rest of the Big 12 by surprise a lot of times with a new scheme ran in Austin.

It should either be the secondary or the defensive line that highlights the strength of the entire Texas defense this fall. A pair of senior defensive ends in Breckyn Hager and Charles Omenihu will lead the way for the defensive line. But, even the anchor of last year’s defensive line in the reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year is gone to the NFL in Poona Ford.

There’s a lot for Orlando to worry about heading into the 2018 campaign with potentially a different looking defense taking the field than he thought would be. Linebacker is a big concern if the depth can’t hold up and even the secondary might have some freshman to rely on this season.

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