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Texas Football: 5 biggest storylines in season opener vs. Maryland

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns walks into the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns walks into the stadium before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns greets teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns greets teammates before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

1. Mindset of the Longhorns this time around

The Texas defense obviously came out for the start of the 2017 season with some lack of confidence and cohesion against Maryland at home. Herman was coaching his first game with the team and his staff was also mostly brand new to the Forty Acres. We were going to see some growing pains in the first year under Herman’s direction.

The growing pains should be minor at this point since he has some of his own recruits on campus, and some of his own graduate transfers. Texas brought in the third best 2018 recruiting class in the nation and added two more immediately eligible grad transfers after that. Former Rice Owls offensive tackle Calvin Anderson and Cal Golden Bears running back Tre Watson are listed as Week 1 starters on the initial official depth chart.

Texas is more experienced and consistent in practice than it was a season ago. Three head coaches over the course of five years is a tough adjustment for a lot of players. And, with some sort of routine and positive locker room culture getting established under Herman, losing Charlie Strong and Mack Brown becomes less impactful for the program in the long-term.

Next. 5 bold predictions for the Longhorns in non-conference play. dark

If Maryland gets the early jump on the Horns, it could be a long road ahead and a similar narrative to the beginning of the regular season as it was last year. It’s partly on Herman and partly on all of the senior leadership to make sure this entire team is in the right mindset entering Week 1.

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