2006 record: 10-3, 6-2 (2nd in Big 12 South)  
2006 bowl: Beat Iowa 26-24 in Alamo
2006 final AP/coaches' ranking: 13/13
Coach: Mack Brown, (93-22, 9 years; 179-96-1 overall, 23 years)
Offensive coordinator: Greg Davis (10th year)
Co-defensive coordinators: Duane Akina (3rd year, 6th at school); Larry MacDuff (1st year)
Returning offensive starters: 6
Returning defensive starters: 6
Location: Austin, Texas
Stadium: Memorial (grass, 85,123)
Last league title: 2005
2007 schedule: [view]
2006 statistics: [view]

Offensive: Last season’s uncertainty — how can a freshman hope to replace Vince Young? — has been shifted to the rear-view mirror. There are no such concerns about sophomore Colt McCoy, who gave Texas fans plenty of hope. McCoy threw 29 touchdown passes, tying a national freshman record, and looked like he was built for the leadership position. McCoy has an array of exceptional weapons, such as junior running back Jamaal Charles, along with receivers Limas Sweed and Quan Cosby. The Longhorn offensive line, physically huge as usual, is led by senior left tackle Tony Hills.   

Defensive: Texas likes its front seven — for good reason. The run-stuffers are in place with senior defensive tackle Frank Okam, a 320-pounder, and senior defensive tackle Derek Lokey, whose late-season broken leg had more influence on Texas’ late-season slide than anyone realized. Junior defensive end Brian Orakpo and junior defensive end Aaron Lewis will be asked to beef up the pass rush. Junior Rashad Bobino, an active middle linebacker, and senior outside linebacker Robert Killebrew could make a push for all-conference honors. The secondary, ranked 99^th nationally, is looking for big improvement. It might be led by senior safety Marcus Griffin, the only returning starter, and senior safety Drew Kelson, a converted linebacker.

Specialists: The Longhorns will break in a new punter, sophomore Trevor Garland, and there should be no worries about his athletic ability. Garland, who averaged 50.3 yards per boot in high school, once finished second in the state 110-meter hurdles (losing to Charles). Ryan Bailey, a former walk-on, is the likely place-kicker. Cosby can become a dynamic returner.

Game of the year Oct. 6, vs. Oklahoma at Dallas Brown, once haunted by the specter of Bob Stoops and Sooner dominance of the rivalry, goes for his third straight win against Oklahoma.

Coaching: Mack Brown’s detractors diminished when Texas won the national title in 2005. He’s 93-22 at Texas and undoubtedly will earn his 100^th victory at the school by November. Brown could have built on his success, but the Longhorns faded down the stretch. His staff suffered a hit when co-defensive coordinator Gene Chizik took the head-coaching job at Iowa State.  

Heisman Hopefuls: McCoy enters the season as a second-tier candidate, but could enhance his profile if the leaders stumble. Charles also could work his way into the conversation.

Overview: Could Texas play for a national championship this season? Sure. Unlike the past two seasons, when Ohio State was on the schedule, that task looks less daunting. The Longhorns don’t have any non-conference games against opponents from BCS leagues. Nebraska comes to Austin. It’s not difficult to visualize Texas at 11-0 heading into the regular-season finale at Texas A&M. The margin between that lofty goal and just another BCS bowl game could be determined by the level of McCoy’s second-year improvement.

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