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I understand the reflex. I've had it myself once or twice. "Oh look, the media is propping up [insert fallen blue blood here]. What a surprise." My Twitter mentions got hit pretty hard when my 2020 SP+ projections declared Texas a top-15 college football team and Nebraska a top-25 team earlier this offseason, and I'm sure those associated with ESPN's Stats & Information Group Twitter account had the same experience when the updated FPI rankings placed Texas at 11th.
Instead of lingering on whether something is #typicalmedia and whatnot, let's move past that and on to something more constructive: What will it take for the Longhorns and Cornhuskers to live up to these semi-lofty projections? (And yes, calling Nebraska in the top 25 or Texas in the top 15 lofty in any way tells its own story.)
Texas
Believe it or not, friends, it's been less than 16 months since quarterback Sam Ehlinger stood on a stage at the Sugar Bowl and chanted "We're baaaaaack" following an upset of Georgia. [t.u.] began 2019 in the AP top 10 for the first time in nine seasons but went just 8-5, barely beating Kansas at home and going just 1-3 on the road in Big 12 play.
Technically, though, that was overachievement. While the Longhorns did win just seven regular-season games and finish 26th in SP+, they were projected to rank 31st with 6.9 wins.
Sam Ehlinger and Texas began 2019 in the AP top 10 for the first time in nine seasons but finished the season 8-5. AP Photo/Austin Gay
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Texas coach Tom Herman did not take 2019's perceived setback lying down -- he changed coordinators on both sides of the ball. That's where we begin our look at Texas' "musts" list.
1. The coordinators must ... coordinate, somehow
