What is the floor, ceiling for Texas football for the 2022 season?

Realistic expectations

Andrew Miller:

I will go ahead and say that in my game-by-game predictions for the Longhorns for the 2022 season, I said that this team would finish up with eight wins. That included a bowl game scenario where Texas falls short to the NC State Wolfpack out of the ACC in the Cheez-It Bowl.

Regardless of what happens in the postseason for the Longhorns, this team is just too good for me to see them realistically falling shy of at least seven or eight wins this fall. Sark and the Longhorns learned some valuable lessons last season and barring complete catastrophe in the way of injuries this fall, this team will be better in 2022.

There’s also the matter of how many times Texas managed to fall short in one-possession games last season. In so many games that basically turned into coin flip scenarios that Texas couldn’t close out in the second half, the cards will have to fall more in their favor just by nature.

In a realistic scenario this season, Texas wins one or two games they’re not supposed and loses one or two they’re not supposed to. Ewers will also have some real highs and lows this season where he probably finishes up the season with around 30-35 touchdowns and around a dozen interceptions at least.

Bijan and Worthy should also combine for at least 3,000 total yards if they both remain healthy this fall.

There is plenty of potential this season, but Texas should realistically take a step forward which will help build some confidence in Sark and his staff heading into a 2023 season where Texas should really be a contender on the national scene.

Shane Black:

I see the 2022 Longhorns finishing the regular season with an 8-4 (6-3 Big 12) record, trying to fight through tiebreakers to make their way to Dallas for the Big 12 Championship Game. All Texas fans need to come to this realization right now; Ewers is going to have a lot of turnovers this season, and some costly ones at that.

This is just the price you pay with a young gunslinger like Ewers. Bijan Robinson will still be the best back in college football. He will help steady his young quarterback and offensive line. This offense will not have trouble scoring points. Pete Kwiatkowski must find sack production on the defensive side of the ball.

Whether that’s trusting the development of his Jack and Bucks, lining up DeMarvion Overshown on the edge, or sending more odd man pressures, PK has to strike fear into opposing offenses. I expect the back end to struggle early, but believe they will start to come into their own midway through the season. This Texas team is bound to play in a handful of one-score games. Look for the accuracy from the kicking game to come into play and affect the final record of this team.