Texas Football Preview 2008

Last year re-discovering the zone read gave this team a much-needed spark—especially for Jamaal Charles. He finished 10^th in the country in rushing. In fact, in the three games Texas lost in 2007, Charles had less than 100 yards in each of them (he also had lower numbers against Rice, Iowa State and Baylor, but those were all blowouts). Colt McCoy had somewhat of a slump—his TDs were down and his INTs were up. This year defense should work on keeping opponents out of the end zone in goal-to-go situations (going into the bowl game they had allowed touchdowns almost 90% of the time in that situation). McCoy is injury prone. Did Mack improve their pass defense last year? Just 99^th in 2006 allowing 236 ypg. No! It got worse in 2007. They were 109^th in 2007 and allowed 277 ypg. Good rushing defenses the past two years though(2006 61.15 ypg (3^rd in nation) and 2007 93.38 ypg(6th in the nation). But they have just 4 defensive starters back. You don't have to worry about that as much on a Mack Brown team as you would another team. But it still could have an impact.