Why the Texas Longhorns Will Win the Big 12

By Tyler Oglesby

The Texas Longhorns are poised to cause some havoc during their last year in the Big 12.

Behind the elite quarterback in Quinn Ewers, the protection from a returning offensive line, new WR weapons, and a top defense, they are favored to win the Big 12 for the first time since 2009. Let’s take a dive into what this Texas team has to offer.

UT Tower from the upper deck, Texas vs. Kansas 2017 (Photo by Lynn Woolley for WBDaily)

Some of the big name additions this offseason include AD Mitchell, Johntay Cook, CJ Baxter, Anthony Hill, Malik Muhammad. Despite Sarkisians track record of disappointing teams in the past, he never fails when it comes to recruiting and his elite offensive mind.

Let’s, be honest, Quinn Ewers has all the tools to become one of the nations best QBs, heisman finalist, and top draft pick.

The 6’2 200 pound former number 1 recruit in the nation from Carroll has the arm strength, decision making, and awareness to light up College Football for what is most likely his last year before going pro.

Before suffering a clavicle sprain in his left shoulder, Ewers was torching the Alabama defense.

Had Ewers not gotten hurt, I think most college football fans know that the outcome of the game would have been different. Although his numbers post injury weren’t great due to the lingering injury, he showed up in the Alamo Bowl versus Washington.

Despite the loss, Ewers put up 369 yards, a touchdown, 66% completion percentage, and a 69 QBR. Even though they couldn’t get the win, most Texas fans felt like we got to see what a healthy Quinn Ewers looks like.

The WR is absolutely stacked with Jordan Whittington, Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell, and Johntay Cook. The speed, versatility, route running, and just pure ball skills will put this room with the likes of Ohio State and their wide receiver factory.

The returning offensive line is what will make the Ewers-led offense hum.

Darrel K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, UT vs. Kansas, 2017 (Photo by Lynn Woolley for WBDaily)

Not losing any offensive linemen is such an underrated part of this offseason. The line will be anchored by the big Kelvin Banks, Jake Majors, Christian Jones, Hayden Conner, and Cole Hutson, 247 sports ranks the Texas offensive line as the third best in the nation.

The Big 12 has a track record of being the worst defensive conference in the nation, it’s arguably true, but this Texas team changed the narrative last year. With returning stars like Jaylan Ford, T’Vondre Sweat, Ryan Watts, and Baryn Sorrell.

Texas fans should also get familiar with names like Malik Muhammad, Colton Vasek, Trill Carter, and of course Anthony Hill.

For the first time in Coach Sark’s tenure at Texas, he finally has the team he built himself and he knows more than anyone what this team is capable of. The Texas Longhorns can, and will, win the Big 12 for the first time in over a decade.

Tyler Oglesby is a Texas-based sports writer.