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Texas Football: 5 bold predictions for the Longhorns in non-conference play

By Andrew Miller

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans meets head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns at the end of the game after a 27-24 Trojan win in overtime at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans meets head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns at the end of the game after a 27-24 Trojan win in overtime at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Steven Mitchell Jr. #4 of the USC Trojans is tackled by Davante Davis #18 of the Texas Longhorns after his catch during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Steven Mitchell Jr. #4 of the USC Trojans is tackled by Davante Davis #18 of the Texas Longhorns after his catch during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Defense holds Maryland and USC to less than 50 points combined

One of the more interesting takeaways from the non-conference slate last season was the defensive performances against USC and Maryland. Under the direction of former USC star quarterback Sam Darnold, it should’ve been much tougher to hold the Trojans in check on the road than Maryland at home.

Tyrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill did their best to put up a ton of points on the Texas defense despite injury issues for the Terps all game. Maryland was able to put up 51 points on the Horns last season in the 51-41 defeat at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Then, Texas held both San Jose State and USC impressively in check.

It wasn’t enough for Texas to hold USC to 27 to come out on top, in an eventual overtime loss on the road last year, but it still helped the defense build a ton of confidence and momentum. If the offense is able to put up at least 30 or 35 points per game this season behind Ehlinger and Watson, holding teams like USC and Maryland in the 20’s should be enough to win each game.

If nothing else, Texas should have a defense that is just as productive as it was last season. Eliminating the inconsistencies in the early portion of the regular season is a major x-factor. Texas needs to be ready for whatever interim head coach Matt Canada and the Terps have to throw at them in Week 1.

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