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10 teams that will take the next step after big win in bowl game

By Nicholas Ian Allen

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines prepares to take the field with his team prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines prepares to take the field with his team prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns watches players warm up before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Tom Herman of the Texas Longhorns watches players warm up before the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

7. Texas

6-6 (5-4)

Texas Bowl: Longhorns vs. Missouri, Wednesday, Dec. 27

Tom Herman may not be a miracle worker in his first season as the head coach of the Longhorns, but he was able to do something Charlie Strong didn’t over the last three years: take Texas to a bowl game. Of course, it’s also worth noting Strong also led his team to a 6-6 regular season record and took the Horns bowling in his first season in Austin (the Texas Bowl, as luck would have it), before losing 31-7 to Arkansas and failing to reach six wins again.

Despite those similarities, there is a reason to be optimistic Herman can keep Texas on an upward trajectory in 2018. The defense was one of the best in the Big 12 in 2017, having allowed 21.7 points and 363.6 yards of total offense per game, which ranked third and second in the league, respectively, during the regular season. Sure, Herman and his staff must replace senior Poona Ford, as well as multiple early entrants to the NFL Draft, including safety DeShon Elliott and suspended corner Holton Hill, and potentially All-American Malik Jefferson, but the unit should be solid again next year.

The offense will be without star tackle Connor Williams, who also declared for the Draft, but the other four starters along the offensive line are expected to return in front of quarterbacks Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger, as well as multiple receiver and running back starters, and the rest of what is arguably the most talented roster of returners in the Big 12.

The Horns are currently three-point underdogs to Missouri, but a win over the Tigers wouldn’t be a shock, and it could propel Texas into the Big 12 title race next season.

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