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College Football Rankings 2018: Alabama, Clemson top way-too-early Top 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Damien Harris (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 27: Texas Longhorns linebacker Breckyn Hager (60) celebrates on the field after stopping Missouri Tigers running back Ish Witter (21) during the first half of action between Texas vs Missouri in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium, Wednesday, December 27, 2017, in Houston. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 27: Texas Longhorns linebacker Breckyn Hager (60) celebrates on the field after stopping Missouri Tigers running back Ish Witter (21) during the first half of action between Texas vs Missouri in the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium, Wednesday, December 27, 2017, in Houston. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

We shouldn’t read too much into bowl games, but Texas entered the offseason with huge momentum after beating Missouri in Houston despite missing nearly a dozen players with starting experience due to injury or suspension. The Longhorns not only made it to the postseason for the first time since 2014, Texas also won a bowl game for the first time since 2012. Needless to say, fans in the Lone Star State are happier this winter than they have been in a long time. But, will that momentum carry over into 2018?

Strengths:

The stats don’t show it, but Texas has elite talent on offense. Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buchele are both capable of leading the team under center, Daniel Young showed flashes at running back, and Collin Johnson, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Reggie Hemphill-Mapps, John Burt and Devin Duvernay could be the best receiving group in the Big 12 and one of the best in the nation if everyone played up to their potential.

Weaknesses:

The Texas defense was the brightest spot of Tom Herman’s first season in Austin. The Longhorns ranked second in the Big 12 in total defense (365.6 yards allowed per game) and also ranked second in the league in yards allowed per play (5.19). Though those figures ranked 41st and 37th nationally, the unit ranked 21st in defensive S&P+ (21.5) and 19th in defensive success rate (40.3 percent).

However, the biggest losses on the roster also come on the defensive side of the football. All-American linebacker and leading tackler Malik Jefferson, as well as playmaking defensive backs DeShon Elliott and Holton Hill each decided to leave school early for the NFL Draft. Throw in three senior starters out of eligibility, and Herman must replace more than half his defensive production in Year 2.

Offensively, the loss of left tackle Connor Williams is a big one, and the Horns must find a consistent running game.

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