EVERYONE PANIC!
With the announcement by Jamaal Charles that he is entering the NFL draft you think it would be prudent to revise my prediction for next season (see entry below).
After all, the old play-action pass won't be as effective without him in the lineup, meaning more pressure for Colt McCoy and the offensive line.
However, I don't think I will change my prognostication just yet. One, Charles could still change his mind back. Two, Vondrell McGee and Chris Ogbonnaya aren't exactly chopped liver. Three, judging by the success at the Holiday Bowl, I expect to see John Chiles in the lineup more - both with and without McCoy in the same backfield.
I expect Mack Brown to utilize the two quarterbacks in big games like he never has before, thus confounding opposing defenses. He can do this because Chiles is anxious to show what he has, and McCoy doesn't have a big, selfish ego. He's a team guy.
Here is next season's schedule and my idea of the outcome of each game.
2008 University of Texas Schedule
W - 8/30 - FLORIDA ATLANTIC -- Too long a road trip for the Owls to face too much firepower.
W - 9/06 - at UTEP -- The first half won't be a cake-walk, but big brother beats little brother easily.
W - 9/13 - ARKANSAS -- Unless Darren McFadden changes his mind, this one won't be a contest.
W - 9/20 - RICE -- These Owls will be less trouble than those 3 games before.
W - 10/04 - at Colorado -- This one will be close since the Sooners are next, but the Horns will win by at least a TD.
W - 10/11 - vs. Oklahoma (Dallas) -- Mack Brown will use this game to unveil new ways of using McCoy and Chiles that will stun the Sooners.
W - 10/18 - MISSOURI -- The Longhorns will take advantage of home field and the new offense which the Tigers haven't had a chance to counter.
W - 10/25 - OKLAHOMA STATE -- Ditto the above entry for Missouri.
L - 11/01 - at Texas Tech -- The pressure of an undefeated season, being on the road and the experience of the Red Raider offense will take its toll.
W - 11/08 - BAYLOR -- The Bears in Austin. No more to say.
W - 11/15 - at Kansas -- This will be one of the two toughest games all season (see Tech above for the other), but the Horns will know if they win out, they'll capture the South title.
W - 11/28 or 29 - TEXAS A&M -- The Horns will win this one because they know if they lose to the Aggies three times in a row, that will start in motion the Apocalypse.