Charlie Strong is surrounded by his players after the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium last year. Texas won 24-17. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Texas coach Charlie Strong insists things are different within the Longhorns’ program this time around.
The attitude has changed, as has the intensity and the bond among the players and coaches, Strong said. However, as he took the podium for the first game-week press conference of the season, Strong’s demeanor had not changed. He was still the same steady head coach giving relatively drab answers to the media’s queries.
No matter though, the evidence for whether or not the Longhorns have progressed from their 5-win, 7-loss campaign of last season is coming quickly.
Texas began the 2015 campaign by being stomped at Notre Dame. The Longhorns’ offense was so ineffective in a 38-3 loss that the rest of the Big 12 salivated at the chance to play Texas. Now, all the same eyes will be watching as the Horns host the Fighting Irish on Sunday.
“We’re not that team anymore,” Strong said on Monday. “That’s not us. We’re a totally different team than we were last season.”
In order for that to be true, Texas has to get better on offense.
Although Strong didn’t reveal who Texas’ starting quarterback will be on Sunday against Notre Dame, there’s really only one choice. Texas senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes hasn’t shown the ability to command the position the last two seasons. That means it will likely be true freshman Shane Buechele’s turn.
If Buechele starts against Notre Dame, he’ll be the first true freshman to start for the Longhorns since Bobby Layne in 1944. But that’s what Texas fans are hoping to see. Anything less will not sit easy, but that won’t be Strong’s determining factor.
“The fans, they’ll be fine,” Strong said. “Both of those guys (Swoopes and Buechele) are competing. It’s been a great matchup. Our team’s going to know who the starting quarterback is.”
That’s Strong staying consistent. Texas fans can only hope the action on the field is more exciting.
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–LB Malik Jefferson is the best player on the Horns’ better side of the ball. He’ll be expected to elevate the rest of the defense, which lacks major impact players elsewhere. Last season, Jefferson made 61 total tackles, including 7 for losses playing in 11 games as a true freshman.
–Shane Buechele has shown the work ethic, passing ability and intangibles to convince many in Texas that he’s the future at QB. He passed for 6,379 yards and 73 TDs and rushed for 1,805 yards and 21 TDs in his career at Arlington Lamar High School. He’ll likely get his first chance to show he can translate that ability to the major college level versus Notre Dame on September 4.
–Texas needs play makers at WR and freshman Collin Johnson has the credentials to step in and do the job. Strong mentioned him as a freshman with a chance to play right away. He enrolled in January, so he’s worked with the Horns QBs prior to preseason practice. No doubt the Texas passers will be happy to have the 6-foot-6, 212-pound receiver running routes and providing a big target.
