Strong should win 8 to 10 games in 2014. But 8 would NOT be a failure!!

[DFW Hornsfan]

Looking over the 2014 schedule I can see the Longhorns winning only 8 games again. That is if the teams that SHOULD be considered favorites all beat them. Does that mean the season and Strong are a failure? Absolutely not!! Not if we see incredible improvement on the defense while the offense goes through growing pains with a young QB.

Lets go to the schedule.

North Texas- Win

BYU- Win (I can't see Strong not having a defense better prepared.)

UCLA- Loss (I do think Mora is a good coach and Strong will not have HIS own players yet. But this would be the best option for a 9th win)

Kansas- Win

Baylor-Loss (Petty is coming back. Should be good again offensively. But this also could be a win if our offense performs and our defense is improved)

OU-Loss (They should be the Big 12 winner if that QB performs how he should. But remember what happened this year?)

Iowa State-Win

Kansas State-Win

Texas Tech-Win (This is the one that scares me. Should be a win, but there could always be a stupid loss. Webb looked pretty good in bowl.)

West Virginia-Win (Could be another set up game like Tech)

Oklahoma State-Loss (Just a gut feeling. Especially if we are only at one loss coming in. This could be the let down game)

TCU-Win (Patterson is over rated. TCU will not be good next year in my opinion)

Being competitive in ALL games would be a fantastic success. Seeing tough hard nosed play and enthusiasm is also a sign of good things happening. Swarming to the ball and being nasty on defense. A good defense will lead to better offense. With Swoopes or Heard, we shoudl be in good hands. I think the offense Strong runs sets up for their style of play. No more Case McCoy throwing the ball as hard as my 7 year old.

My Prediction: 9-3 regular season and an Alamo Bowl win over Arizona State. Ranked 16 in the final rankings.

 

[Topstarr]

I am not quoting the number.....but I am saying more than jmmore912.

 

[hookem123]

I don't understand how 8 wins could be a failure for one coach, but not the other?

 

[DFW Hornsfan]

I am not quoting the number.....but I am saying more than jmmore912.

I am optimistic like you. But depending on how they play, 8

losses wouldn't be a disaster.

 

[colepeyton]

8-9 in 2013 10 plus in 2014

 

[Growler]

This is a complete failure in my opinion, already building in excuses and a lowering of the bar before he has even brought in his staff. It isn't like he is inheriting a roster from McWilliams or Mackovic. We have some football players who just need better caching.

We brought him here to win Championships. I sure as hell hope HE doesn't think 8 wins is okay. I am quite sure the majority of the players don't think 8 wins is okay.

If 8 wins was Okay, Mack would still be here. He got 4 years of this. Complete disagreement imo, and a reason we aren't better.

 

[DFW Hornsfan]

I don't understand how 8 wins could be a failure for one coach, but not the other?

Not his players. Plus if he is close in every game and the team plays better.

He gets no pass in year two.

 

[theknighttrain]

I'd like to win them all. But, if we lost the games against the good teams by 1 point squeakers, then I'm allright with that too (for now). Would show much improvement over 28+ beatdowns/letdowns from the past 4 years.

 

[aowells]

I don't understand how 8 wins could be a failure for one coach, but not the other?

If all the loses were by 19 or more points, an 8 win season wouldn't be a success for Strong either. If he wins 8 or 9 and is close in the others, we'll have something to build on.

 

[hookem123]

I am optimistic like you. But depending on how they play, 8losses wouldn't be a disaster.

What? 8 losses wouldn't be a disaster? For who?

 

[CCausey11]

I'd like to win them all. But, if we lost the games against the good teams by 1 point squeakers, then I'm allright with that too (for now). Would show much improvement over 28+ beatdowns/letdowns from the past 4 years.

This

 

[CCausey11]

I don't understand how 8 wins could be a failure for one coach, but not the other?

Three years of 8 win seasons is a failure for any UT coach. Let's not forget that the season before those string of 8 wins was a 5 win season.

So let's see how the new coaches record plays out against Mac's last 4 years. That's why he's not coaching here anymore and neither will Charlie if he posts these results

 

[longhorn1997]

The talent is there for 10 wins.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

If we have an answer at QB, we win 10 games. If not, 8 is fair.

 

[DocHorn]

I don't understand how 8 wins could be a failure for one coach, but not the other?

IMHO. 8-9 wins was the max we would get from Mack going forward. He has left a somewhat barren cupboard for the new HC. If CS can win 8-9 his first yr, then improve from there that is what I would hope for. Mack had reached his ceiling and was in a death spiral, CS needs to stop the descent and start us climbing back to greatness. It will take. 2 or. 3 yrs but hopefully he will get us there

 

[Lord Vader]

This is the kind of mess we need to avoid.

First, ask yourself how many games this team wins next year with Mack Brown at the helm. Your answer should be 6-7.

Now you think Coach Strong can win 8 at least? Without his guys? That is an improvement folks.

You have to give Pat Moorer time to work the softness out of these guys. This is going to be the first year under totally new systems. Will take at least a year to get it all installed and humming. Be patient people. Im alone in this, but I wouldnt be mad if he only won 6 or 7. The damage done the last four years by Mack Brown, Mad Dog, and Manny Diaz just can not be undone overnight.

Look at what Greg Robinson did this year. He made the defense play worlds better but they still screwed up from time to time. There are no miracles or quick fixes here. Be patient.

 

[TheContractor]

Mack Brown has not left a talented roster and there is not QB currently on the roster that can play big time ball(unless Ash is healthy).

Year 1 he gets a pass as long as he is competitive in most games, Mack was not competitive in at least 4 games this year.

I think UCLA with Hundley will be hard to beat early on.

 

[DFW Hornsfan]

What? 8 losses wouldn't be a disaster? For who?

Oops!!! 8 WINS wouldn't be a disaster.

 

[DFW Hornsfan]

This is the kind of mess we need to avoid.
First, ask yourself how many games this team wins next year with Mack Brown at the helm. Your answer should be 6-7.

Now you think Coach Strong can win 8 at least? Without his guys? That is an improvement folks.

You have to give Pat Moorer time to work the softness out of these guys. This is going to be the first year under totally new systems. Will take at least a year to get it all installed and humming. Be patient people. Im alone in this, but I wouldnt be mad if he only won 6 or 7. The damage done the last four years by Mack Brown, Mad Dog, and Manny Diaz just can not be undone overnight.

Look at what Greg Robinson did this year. He made the defense play worlds better but they still screwed up from time to time. There are no miracles or quick fixes here. Be patient.

Thank you!! I totally agree. This is Mack's recruits.