Can the Longhorns end their Big 12 tenure by winning the conference championship? Find out here in our preview of the 2023 Texas Longhorns season with future predictions.
2023 Texas Longhorns Schedule
FBSchedules offers a strength of schedule ranking, and the Longhorns have the 21st most difficult schedule among its FBS peers. Texas has a pair of tough away contests against the Alabama Crimson Tide and the TCU Horned Frogs but plays host to Oklahoma.
Never miss a game this season with our downloadable 2023 Texas Longhorns football schedule wallpaper for your smartphone. https://t.co/4OSbqzsjQm
— Longhorns Wire (@LonghornsWire) August 11, 2023
2023 Texas Longhorns Season Preview
Head Coach Steve Sarkisian enters his 3rd season at the helm, and this could be his best team during his tenure. The Longhorns were 8-5 last season.
Still, with nine returning starters on offense and six defensive starters returning, Texas is poised for a big season with a possible National Championship victory in January.
Ewers Returns to Lead the Longhorns’ Offense
Every skill player is back except for star running back Bijan Robinson, who’s playing for the Atlanta Falcons. Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is the starter for now, at least–Ewers had games and some stinkers during his frosh season. Still, he has his top receivers and the majority of his starting offensive line, and the Longhorns’ offense could average more than 34.5 points per game from a season ago.
UT QB1 Quinn Ewers says he's dropped almost 20 pounds (down to around 200) since the Alamo Bowl – mostly by limiting fast food. That's just one of Ewers' many changes – as he enjoys his 2nd preseason camp on The 40:#HookEm @fox7austin 📹: @jsala123 pic.twitter.com/vcWWemkB5w
— Dennis de la Pena (@dennisonfox7) August 10, 2023
Defense Will Be Key to Longhorns’ Success
Six starters return to a defense that finished second in the conference in total yards and points allowed. Leading tackler Jaylon Ford returns to lead a strong linebacking crew, and safeties Jerrin Thompson and Jahdae Barron will lead a more than competent defensive backfield. Defensive end Barryn Sorrel is back after leading the team in sacks last season, and if the defense spends more time in their opponents’ offensive backfield, this unit could be special.
Texas Longhorns Betting Odds
Please note that Texas residents are prohibited from wagering on sports within the state’s boundaries. FanDuel states these are the Future odds for the 2023 Texas Longhorns.
- To win the 2023 FBS Championship: +2500
- To make the 2023 FBS Playoffs: +320
- To win the Big 12 Conference: +100
- Texas Longhorns Over 9.5 Wins: -140
- Texas Longhorns Under 9.5 Wins +114
Are the Texas Longhorns a Good Bet to Win the FBS National Championship?
The Longhorns are not a good bet to win the 2023 FBS National Championship.
It’s one thing to win the Big 12 and quite another to win a national championship. Texas could be a great football team, but they have a difficult schedule with five conference games away from home, which will be daunting.
The Longhorns have the offense to win it all, but I don’t believe they have a defense good enough to stop the Michigan Wolverines and Georgia Bulldogs of the FBS universe.
Are the Texas Longhorns a Good Bet to Make the FBS Playoffs?
The Longhorns are not a good bet to make the FBS playoffs.
Making the FBS playoffs is difficult; the last Big 12 team to do so was the 2019 TCU Horned Frogs. It will likely take an undefeated season for the Longhorns to reach the FBS playoffs, and with five of their Big 12 contests, that will be too tall an order.
The Texas offense should be electric, but the defense might be the Longhorns’ Achilles Heal and prevent them from winning at least 11 games.
Are the Texas Longhorns a Good Bet to Win the Big 12 Conference?
The Texas Longhorns are not a good bet to win the Big 12 Conference.
FanDuel is offering even money for this wager.
I believe the Longhorns can and likely will win the conference but +100 odds aren’t a good price to pay for a future bet you’ll need to wait until December to cash if they do win. The five conference road games will be difficult, and even money isn’t a good odds for this bet.
Are the Texas Longhorns a Good Bet to Win Under 9.5 games in 2023?
Yes, the Texas Longhorns are a good bet to win Under 9.5 games, and +114 at FanDuel TX is a good price for this wager.
Texas will be a strong football team, but their away schedule is brutal. Alabama will likely be their first loss, and they have a tough road game two weeks later with the Baylor Bears.
That could be two losses through their first four games, and their back-to-back away matchups with TCU and Iowa State will likely produce one loss. They host Oklahoma on a neutral field, and these rivalry games can be ugly. I have the Longhorns at 9-3, making the Under the best bet to make.
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