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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 9-3 (6-2) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Mack Brown Returning starters: 14 (offense 4, defense 9) Outlook No one will ever confuse Texas coach Mack Brown with the mythical figure Midas, but last year everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. The Longhorns' fortunes certainly were shining after Brown's team finished the year with a 9-3 mark and a Cotton Bowl championship. In doing so he ran his personal mark of seven-win seasons to eight in a row (stretching back to his days at North Carolina). Now Brown -- and much of the entire state -- take aim at nine straight. To that end, the administration has done its part; Brown has received two pay raises since being hired and his assistants have all gotten salary bumps after being approached by other programs in the offseason. With Ricky Williams in the backfield, last year's team relied upon the offense to carry the day as it added five more wins than the year before. This year may be the reverse, as a defense that ranked among the leaders in the Big 12 returns a handful of key starters and another three players with significant experience. Put them both on the same page and Texas could horn in on a 10-win season. OffenseLast August he was an unknown quantity. Following a season in which he was named Big 12 freshman of the year, he could very well be the best quarterback in the conference. Major Applewhite is the Big 12's top returning passer after completing 58 percent of his throws on the way to 2,453 yards and 18 touchdowns. He showed remarkable poise for a young player, throwing for more than 200 yards in 10 consecutive games, but was also hampered by 11 interceptions. Chris Simms, the son of Phil Simms and one of the top recruits in the nation, will not be redshirted at QB. Instead, he'll compete for the backup job. The passing game will hinge on the play of junior wideout Kwame Cavil, the lone remaining member of last year's "Bomb Squad." Cavil, who is the conference's leading returning receiver, is not a burner. But his soft hands and razor-sharp routes will provide a consistent target. To his credit, he spent the offseason working on his speed. Ryan Nunez and Montrell Flowers will continue their battle at split end. The tight end position remains a concern as neither Chris Smith nor Mike Jones has distinguished themselves. Four starters have departed from the line, but there is talent waiting in the wings, as eight of the top 10 linemen on the squad top the 300-pound mark. Guard Roger Roesler is the lone returning starter. Left tackle Leonard Davis spent time as a starter last year, and junior center Marcel Blanchard is familiar with the blocking schemes. Right guard Antwan Kirk-Hughes could become the star of the front five as a 6-3, 320-pound sophomore. Mike Williams and Cory Quye will battle to top the depth chart at right tackle. No one will replace Ricky Williams, but someone must carry the ball. That job belongs to Hodges Mitchell, a speedy junior with little experience. Redshirt freshman Victor Ike will play. A lack of size may be the only negative about Mitchell (5-9, 170). It's a good sign if: A shift to more passing goes smoothly.It's a bad sign if: An inexperienced line encounters growing pains or injury. Defense It all starts up front with the Longhorns' defense, a unit that can claim seven returning starters but also allowed 100 points in the last three regular-season games. Of the front seven, only middle linebacker Dusty Renfro, the team's leading tackler, must be replaced. End Aaron Humphrey is a three-year starter who provides emotional leadership and intensity. Tackles Casey Hampton (6-1, 300) and Cedric Woodard (6-3, 280) have plenty of experience, but they will likely share time in the middle with Shaun Rogers in a rotation determined by practice performance. Anthony Hicks' recovery from knee surgery will allow Texas to move super sophomore De'Andre Lewis to the outside slot. Aaron Babino was named the Cotton Bowl defensive MVP, but he'll have to battle to maintain his place in the starting lineup. Everick Rawls will step in for his first regular action as a starter at the other outside linebacker spot. Tyrone Jones will also factor into the mix, as will freshman Corey Redding, USA Today's high school defensive player of the year. Free safety Quentin Jammer is the backbone of a defensive backfield that struggled a bit in the spring. He had 81 tackles and 10 pass breakups last year while roaming the secondary. Donald McCowen is back for his junior season at strong safety, but may serve as a backup following the emergence of sophomore Lee Jackson (6-3, 193). The other cornerback position appears to belong to smallish sophomore Ervis Hill (5-9, 178) but Ahmad Brooks and Joe Walker will push him for playing time. It's a good sign if: Redding can play right away at linebacker.It's a bad sign if: A lack of size in the secondary proves troublesome. Special Teams Kris Stockton spent some time at punter, in addition to his regular role as place-kicker, a year ago. Ryan Long finished the season as the punter, where he will begin '99. -- John Crowley |
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