NCAA Football Preview 2015: Big 12 Conference Breakdown

Jul 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong speaks to the media during the Big 12 Media Days at Omni Dallas. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Big 12 Projection: Texas Longhorns #5

There was no way Charlie Strong was going to fill the shoes of Mack Brown in just one season. When Strong took over the Texas Longhorns program last season, his process of developing the roster didn’t turn out so well. Now, many are expecting Strong’s second season with the program to fare much better.

But how much can the Longhorns really improve? How is Charlie Strong going to bring out the athletic skill in his players? Let’s just say he’s going to have to coach a lot harder than he did in 2014, because it’s going to be a lot tougher than many think.

Joe Wickline, the Longhorns offensive line coach, is still looking for ways to improve the chemistry up front. Quarterbacks Jerrod Heard and Tyrone Swoopes will continue to compete for the starting spot, but Texas really needs to worry about the lack of receiving targets.

Texas is going to be missing many standouts, such as Malcom Brown, one of the team’s best tacklers in 2014. But the Longhorns will have multiple talented freshmen at linebacker who could play key roles in 2015.

The Longhorns finished 6-7 overall (5-4 Big 12) in 2014. Strong needs to improve on this record or he could find himself on the hotseat in 2016.

Next: Mountaineers Making Improvements