5 reasons Texas football are national championship contenders

5 reasons Texas football are national championship contenders in 2016

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns players lift up head coach Charlie Strong after the victory against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Here are five reasons why Charlie Strong and Texas football are national championship contenders after beating Notre Dame in their opener.

“It’s coming home, all the way to Austin, Texas, baby!”

Those were the words of then-quarterback Vince Young after the Texas Longhorns’ last national championship. It was January of 2006 when No. 2 Texas upset the top team in the nation at the time, the USC Trojans, in the Rose Bowl to claim the 2005 BCS National Championship.

Texas hasn’t had the same success since, but there’s reason for optimism after a thrilling victory over Notre Dame to kick this season off. They may not be championship favorites, but Texas (#11, AP) can contend this year. Here are five reasons why.

5. Talent

The Texas Longhorns have more talent this season, on both sides of the ball, than they’ve had in years. Three players earned Big 12 honors last week, after their 50-47 victory over Notre Dame.

Senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes three TDs earned him co-Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Sophomore DT Chris Nelson had eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, earning him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, and freshman quarterback Shane Buechele was the Newcomer of the Week.

Texas had one of its better recruiting classes heading into this season. The Longhorns have three of the top 50 recruits in the nation in Devin Duvernay (WR), Brandon Jones (S), and Patrick Hudson (G). Duvernay, in particular, was the #3 receiver and fastest recruit in the nation, according to ESPN.

Then there’s Buechele, the true freshman standout QB. Not only did Buechele start against Notre Dame, he threw for 280 yards and 2 TDs. He added 33 yards and a score on the ground. Including Duvernay and Buechele, nine freshmen saw game action against the Fighting Irish. Texas’ young talent will only get better as the 2016 winds on.

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