Texas Football: 5 realistic goals for the Longhorns to attain in 2018

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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 09: Tyler Nevens #23 of the San Jose State Spartans is tackled by Malik Jefferson #46 and DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Top three defense in the Big 12

Texas thrived through the front seven last season. The Texas run defense allowed just 3.0 yards per carry last year and 1.1 rushing touchdowns per game. Considering the level of running backs in the Big 12 last year, that’s especially impressive for a defense in a usually suspect conference on that side of the ball.

It was almost the opposite narrative for the Horns last season as the rest of the Big 12 in terms of balance on each side of the ball. Texas lived and died through the play of the defense. Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando was able to shut down some high-powered offenses like that of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Oklahoma State Cowboys, and MIzzou Tigers last season.

If the offense is able to be more productive and put some more points on the board regularly this fall, the defense won’t have so much pressure to perform. The three best defenses in the Big 12 should boil down to the Iowa State Cyclones, TCU, and Texas.

An experienced front seven and secondary can play to the advantage of the Horns with some very talented freshmen also getting looks. The top rated 2018 safety prospect in the nation is getting one of the starting spots in the defensive backfield this year in Caden Sterns. Expect huge results from this defense this year.

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