Projected Postseason Top 25: #2 Texas

While most freshman quarterbacks struggle out of the gate, Colt McCoy suffered no growing pains. The Texas quarterback with the Texas name has taken the torch from Vince Young and the national championship expectations. His receivers only add to the excitement and if the Longhorn defense improves over last year, Texas could be playing for its second national championship in three years.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 13-1 Lose to #1 in BCS National Championship Game
Who they’ll beat: Arkansas State (Home), TCU (Home), UCF (Road), Rice (Home), Kansas State (Home), Oklahoma (Dallas, TX), Iowa State (Road), Baylor (Road), Nebraska (Home), Oklahoma State (Road), Texas Tech (Home), Texas A&M (Road), Missouri (San Antonio, TX)

Who’ll beat them: #1 (New Orleans, LA)

When they Pass: Colt McCoy will be in his second year throwing to a group of receivers that is by far the best in the Big XII. Limas Sweed, Billy Pittman, Quan Cosby are just the starters of this deep deep group which should see plenty of balls in the air in Austin.

When they Run: The offensive line rebuilds but if they gel quickly Jamaal Charles averaged 7.4 yards a game last season. He could come close to that this season as well.

When their Opponents Run: Derek Lokey and Frank Odom are the senior defensive tackles. Texas had the nations third best rushing defense in 2006.

When their Opponents Pass: For as many members of the Texas secondary went in the first round of the NFL draft, you think they would have been better than 99th against the pass. Safety Marcus Griffin is the only returnee from a unit which must improve its play from last year.

When they Kick: Ryan Bailey who beat Nebraska with a late field goal off the bench takes over the starting kicking role.

When they call Timeout: On the hot seat for a good while, now Mack Brown is sitting pretty, having just signed an extension that keeps him in Austin for the foreseeable future. Defensive guru Gene Chizik has moved on to a head coaching job at Iowa State. Secondary coach Duane Akina takes over as defensive coordinator.