2008 record: 12-1, 7-1 (1st-tie in Big 12 South)  
2008 bowl: Beat Ohio State 24-21 in Fiesta
2008 final AP/coaches' ranking: 4/3
Coach: Mack Brown, (115-26, 12th year; 195-95-1 overall, 24 years)
Offensive coordinator: Greg Davis (12th year)
Defensive coordinators: Will Muschamp (2nd year)
Returning offensive starters: 9
Returning defensive starters: 7
Location: Austin, Texas
Stadium: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (FieldTurf; 94,113)
Last league title: 2005
2009 schedule: [view]
2009 roster: [view]
2008 statistics: [view]

Offensive: All the elements are there for Texas to have a successful season offensively. It all starts, of course, with senior quarterback Colt McCoy, a four-year starter who finished second in last season’s Heisman Trophy balloting. McCoy’s pinpoint accuracy, his 34 touchdown passes (and only eight interceptions), plus his ability to make plays on his own (he was the team’s leading rusher) should give Texas a decided edge in every game. Texas would prefer someone else to lead the team in rushing and that task could fall to sophomore running back Cody Johnson, a converted fullback. If not Johnson, someone must step up. There’s pressure on the offensive line, which returns four starters, including exceptional left tackle Adam Ulatoski, to do its part. McCoy has a pair of experienced receivers in senior Jordan Shipley (89 catches for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns) and sophomore Malcolm Williams.

Defensive: On the defensive line, Texas might find it difficult to replace defensive end Brian Orakpo, the Lombardi and Nagurski Award winner. But the cupboard isn’t bare up front. Potential All-American defensive end Sergio Kindle, whose goal is to lead the nation in sacks, and defensive tackle Lamarr Houston return for their senior seasons. Pass-rushing was the element that dictated Texas’ victory against Oklahoma last season, so the Longhorns are looking to fuel that skill. Senior linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy also did his part with 16 tackles against the Sooners, so his return is comforting. The question-marks of last season (two freshmen starting at safety) have become team strengths. Sophomore strong safety Earl Thomas and sophomore free safety Blake Gideon are battle-tested. 

Specialists: The Longhorns are in good shape. Senior place-kicker Hunter Lawrence and sophomore punter Justin Tucker, who averaged 45.2 yards, are returning. Shipley, one of the nation’s best return men, scored on kickoff and punt returns last season. 

Coaching: Mack Brown has transformed Texas from underachieving to achieving. He’s the ultimate CEO, a master manager of people and resources, who continually has the Longhorns pointed toward an upward direction. Another national title would make his legacy complete. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who provided an unmistakable attitude for his unit, is the head coach-in-waiting.

Heisman Hopefuls: McCoy, second in last season’s voting, could become the first Texas quarterback to win the award. McCoy’s 2008 performance was remarkable — 76.7 percent accuracy in passing, team-leading status in rushing — so what can he do for an encore? If Texas runs the table, McCoy will still be a solid candidate, even if his statistics take a slight downturn.

Game of the year Oct. 17 vs. OU at Dallas What else? The ’Horns have taken control of the rivalry, having won three of the last four games, including last season’s 45-35 classic. Despite that outcome, it was the Sooners (and not the ’Horns) who captured the Big 12 South title in a controversial tiebreaking procedure. Oklahoma then played for a national title, while Texas was relegated to the Fiesta Bowl. You can bet that will add to this game’s emotional frenzy.

Overview: Texas came within a whisker — the final-play touchdown to Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree — of playing for a national championship. Many Longhorns will go to their grave believing they had the best team of 2008. But the past has passed. Texas has the goods to get into this season’s national-title game — and win it. The offense should score a ton of points and the defense looks fearsome. If the Longhorns can defeat Oklahoma — again — it’s a sprint to Pasadena. Texas should be able to go the distance. 

Next up: No. 3 USC

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