Texas Football 2023 Preview: Early season prediction, key matchups, players to watch, roster and more

Last year, Texas Longhorns gave us a taste of what is to come. Steve Sarkisian provided immediate credibility to a team in desperate need of it.

Quinn Ewers provides the Longhorns with the most prolific passing attack in years. Just in time for the much-ballyhooed arrival of Arch Manning.

How the Longhorns deal with a potential QB controversy and the spotlight on two high-profile signal-callers will be one of the season's storylines.

The hype will become uncontrollable if the Longhorns upset Alabama in week two.

Early Season Prediction

Texas Spring Football Game

Texas Longhorns are on the verge of contending on a national stage, for the biggest trophy in the sport at this level. With the arrival of Arch Manning, expectations will be higher than ever. The Longhorns must figure out how to handle additional pressure and scrutiny.

We have the Longhorns losing to Alabama on September 9th, but have them running the table after the defeat. Texas could be on fire heading into bowl season and can make a compelling case for the National Semi-finals.

Key Matchups for the 2023 Season

Football fans won't have time to settle in as the Longhorns have an early test against Alabama Crimson Tide on September 9th. The Bama game is a measuring stick to judge as to how Texas stack up against the best teams in the country.

The Red River Shoot-Out against arch-rival Oklahoma Sooners on October 7th is the most important game of the season. The Longhorns are the better team, but Oklahoma will have revenge on their mind following last season's thrashing.

Players to Watch

TCU v Texas

The Longhorns QB connundrum will need to settle in time. Incumbent starter Quinn Ewers will have the first crack. Any hiccup and Ewers will look over his shadow to see if the Longhorns' coaching staff pull the hook in favor of freshman phenom Arch Manning.

Texas have plenty of weapons for either Ewers or Manning to throw to. WR Xavier Worthy is one of the best receivers in college football, and TE Ja'Tavion Sanders is a match-up nightmare.

Roster Analysis

The Longhorns' offense is loaded. The run game won't be what it was in 2022 with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson off to the NFL, but there will be a stable of backs and an outstanding passing game to counter their loss.

The defensive side of the ball is the weakness of the team. The Longhorns don't necessarily have to be a dominant unit on defense, but the unit cannot afford to be a picture of glaring deficiency.

Coaching Staff and Changes

Valero Alamo Bowl - Washington v Texas

Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will have his work cut out for him in 2023. The Longhorns took a step forward in 2022 due to an improved defense, specifically in the front seven. DeMarvion Overshown and Moro Ojomo are off to the NFL, leaving behind big shoes to fill. If the Longhorns' defense cannot continue to ascend, Texas must win a lot of shootouts in 2023.

Expectations and Goals

"Texas football is back" is rhetoric we have heard over the years anytime the Longhorns have a moderately successful season. Texas faithful are ready to believe again as the Longhorns head in a positive direction. Landing QB Arch Manning raises the expectations and narrows the microscope that the Texas program will be under.

The Longhorns need to back up the hype and win the Big XII title, and set their sights on the National Championship.

Conclusion

Texas will be in the national spotlight for years, as the attention will be on Arch Manning and how the Texas coaching staff develops the third-generation talent.

The Longhorn's defense could be its ultimate unraveling. The Big XII is a conference where defense is optional.

Quinn Ewers needs to focus on the Longhorn's offense and not worry about his place. The Longhorns have the potential to advance to the Final Four, but will the QB controversy derail a promising season?