The Texas Longhorns have the chance to be the best team in the country as they enter the SEC and take on some of the biggest names in college football.
The biggest thing standing in the Horns’ way is the powerhouse defenses of the future conference opponents.
From the Georgia Bulldogs who have gone undefeated over the past three regular seasons to the consistently problematic Oklahoma Sooners’ frontline.
So, as Texas enters the daunting waters of the SEC, how do the Horns stack up against the other defensive units in the conference?
Unsurprisingly yet unfortunately for the Commodores, Vanderbilt finds itself at the bottom of the SEC totem pole once again.
Despite head coach Clark Lea's history as a defensive coordinator, the Commodores still fall well short of the defensive prowess necessary in their conference.
After the spring transfer portal closed, the Arkansas Razorbacks are in need of a few more standout players on their roster, including defensive stars.
As the Razorbacks hope and pray for some extra beef to their defensive line, Arkansas finds itself at No. 15 on this way-too-early ranking.
Despite the Bulldogs' newest addition to their defensive unit, JUCO lineman Corey Clark, Mississippi State lacks a lot of star power compared to its SEC opponents.
After two seasons as the Oklahoma Sooners' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Jeff Lebby is taking the reigns of the Bulldogs' program but his team will be a far cry from a top (Bull)dog.
While Kentucky can boast defensive tackle Deone Walker, who could be one of the best defensive players in the country, the Wildcats are still a far cry from unbeatable.
The Wildcats lack experience and depth beyond Walker and a few other projected starters on the defensive line. However, with some talented young players joining the squad, UK could be good in a couple years' time.
The Florida Gators could and should be good in 2024. The Gators' defense could and should be better, but not great in 2024.
The Florida defense was as close to as abysmal as possible last season and, luckily for the Gators, Billy Napier has supposedly fixed some of the crucial issues for his team's defensive unit.
South Carolina has had some huge losses to its offensive roster over the past two seasons, however, the Gamecocks' defensive unit continues to bolster its troops.
While Tonka Hemingway and Alex Huntley fight over who will have the most tackles every week, the Gamecocks stand a chance at breaking into the top 10 of this ranking.
Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers have been slowly creeping up the SEC rankings since he took over the football program.
The Tigers' defensive unit will be headlined, well, by their defensive line but Auburn may fall short in the secondary as the team goes up against some of the best wideouts in the nation.
Over the last few seasons, the Volunteers have ramped up their defensive unit and the same will almost certainly be true for Tennessee in 2024.
Josh Heupel added nearly two dozen blue chip defensive stars to his roster in order to continue the growth of his team's defensive abilities, breaking the top-ten barrier for the Vols.
The Tigers are returning nearly 60 percent of their defensive roster, a nod to their comittment to both the Missouri program and head coach Eliah Drinkwitz.
Defensive end Johnny Walker Jr., safety Daylan Carnell, and cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. are expected to be the stars of the show for Missouri in 2024 as they attempt to return to one of the top spots in the conference.
Texas A&M has skyrocketed up the SEC preseason standings after nearly a decade and a half of struggling miserably in the conference.
Mike Elko is known for his defensive dominance and the Aggie fans are deeply desperate for a focus on stopping their opponents from running up the score. Elko's recruiting schemes and defensive prowess are just what Texas A&M ordered.
Oklahoma will be one of the bigger problems for the Longhorns in 2024. As the long-lived rivals both make their way to the SEC, the Sooners' defense may just be able to stop Quinn Ewers and Texas.
Brent Venables hasn't led Oklahoma to an immediate berth in the College Football Playoffs, like some expected, his defensive knowledge has undeniably improved OU's ability to stop its rivals.
Luckily, Texas has earned a break from the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, the Tide's defense will be as nearly as talented as ever.
New head coach Kalen DeBoer loves to dominate on both ends of the ball. As DeBoer gets read for his first season in the SEC, he brought many of his talented defensive stars from Washington with him to continue Alabama's tenure of success.
Similarly to the Horns' break from the Tide, Texas won't have to face the Tigers in 2024, and that includes getting to avoid LSU's defense.
Kylin Jackson, a redshirt freshman, stood out amongst his peers in the LSU spring game, looking comfortable in his safety position. While Jackson was covering pass attempts, the Tigers' pass rush excelled against the offensive line.
The Longhorns may not be the top dogs in the SEC defensively, but Texas will be a powerful force for other teams to reckon with on the field.
With Ethan Burke, Trey Moore, Alfred Collins, and other players headlining the Horns' defensive unit, Texas finds themselves at No. 3 on this ranking.
Lane Kiffin has returned the Ole Miss Rebels to being one of the top-tier, elite programs in the country. As Kiffin and the Rebels prepare to take on their SEC rivals, the Ole Miss defense stands out amongst its competitors.
Princely Umanmielen at defensive end, Isaiah Hamilton and Trey Amos at cornerback, and JJ Pegues at defensive tackle are just some of the endless talent that the Rebels have on defense for 2024.
Texas might go undefeated in their first season as a part of the SEC. The one big stumbling block may come at home for the Horns.
When the Georgia Bulldogs visit DKR Stadium, the Longhorns' offense will have to be at its best because Kirby Smart's defensive unit is the best in the SEC if not the best in the country.