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The season is here, so the Inside Texas staff takes you through what the Longhorns need to do to succeed on Sunday, their picks of the week, and predictions for Big 12 champions, CFP teams, and Heisman winner.

1. What does Texas need to do to win against the Turtles?

Eric Nahlin – Play assignment sound and control the edges on defense. Texas will use different force guys from play to play, everyone needs to be on the same page every play. This should be a Keep It Simple Stupid game plan with emphasis on playing fast and physical. Offensively, if they can’t just line up and run on the Terps, work the ball horizontally to speed guys like Jamison and Moore. If they get moving horizontally we may see RBs hit some cutbacks and start to soften them up. Also, when in doubt LJH your way down be field.

Justin Wells – Offensively, control the tempo. Run the ball, dominate the line of scrimmage, convert a few big 3rd downs, and let the defense have fun without motion confusion. Shut down Cowart, and whichever QB(s) see the field, probably Hill. Force Maryland into long 3rd Downs. Defensively, don’t give up the big plays, force turnovers, but mainly tackle real well and keep the Terps in front of them. Omenihu needs a sack. Hager needs a TFL and two QB pressures. Boyd needs two PBUs. Sterns needs an INT. And the kicker needs to be Cameron Dicker.

Ian Boyd – To score early with the passing game in order to break down the Terp defense and make that whole team ready to quit.

Joe Cook – Stay true against motion. When I talked to Brady Quinn at Big 12 Media Days, he told me one of the ways in which teams can try to attack Texas’ lightning package is to use motion in order to reveal what defenders might do on a certain play. That’s what Matt Canada’s offense is all about. If Texas, regardless of what defensive alignment it chooses, is able to effectively communicate enough to eliminate advantages the motion game might present, they’ll limit Maryland’s offense.

Scipio Tex – On defense, stay assignment sound against Canada’s scheming, keep the Maryland QB(s) in the pocket, be physical against the run and force a weak link Maryland wide receiving corps to make plays on standard downs. Todd Orlando can’t allow another paralyzed, overthinking Longhorn defensive performance against option football. On offense, Texas can’t go through a lengthy feeling out period. Score early, deflate the Terrapins, create disarray. Maryland has upgraded its defensive talent, but they’re not used to playing together. Attack them accordingly.

2. Impact players on offense and defense

Eric Nahlin – I’m going with Ehlinger having a pedestrian but efficient day hitting the slots and picking his spots in the run game. This game sets up perfectly for the nickel to have a big game, unfortunately we’ve seen what happens when he doesn’t versus this offense. I’m going with Hager getting in the backfield and disrupting timing in the run game.

Justin Wells – On offense, Sam Ehlinger needs to set the tone early. Move the ball, make the right throws, run for the needed yards, and let his playmakers – LJH, D’Shawn, Keaontay – do their thing. On defense, Gary Johnson needs to be at his best. With two QBs known for scrambling, Johnson will be needed. You could put Malcolm Roach here too.

Ian Boyd – Should be a big opening week for Lil’Jordan Humphrey while on D I think Gary Johnson will rack up an absurd number of tackles (like 15-20) that frustrate Matt Canada’s rushing attack.

Joe Cook – Daniel Young and Caden Sterns. Texas will try to once again define itself as a running football team, and Daniel Young will be the guy to try to write that definition. If he’s able to pick up the yards ahead of him, it will open the offense to what Texas wants to do. For Sterns, he’s starting at safety in his first college game. He needs to play up to the stage, and from watching him in high school, he’s able to do just that.

Scipio Tex – Brandon Jones and Sam Ehlinger. Jones has a chance at redemption from a shoddy opener one year ago. His role in run support and protecting the back end can’t be overstated. Ehlinger has to grab the reins, play with tempo, throw accurate balls to LJH inside where he’ll have legitimate mismatches and win with his legs when needed. A poor opening effort #11 spins the offense and the QB situation into doubt and creates a “not again” sentiment amongst Longhorn fans and players who find that feeling all too familiar.

3. Score Prediction

Eric Nahlin – I had this at about a two TD game before the spread came out and before D.J. Durkin’s suspension. Could the events at Maryland galvanize the team? I suppose, but I’m not sure how hard they’re playing for the staff who in the best case scenario was negligent in their teammate’s death. Besides, this is UT’s first game so they won’t lack for emotion. I’m going with 31-17. I’d be pretty enthused by Texas winning the second half by simply wearing down Maryland with physical play.

Justin Wells – 34-17, Texas.

Ian Boyd – 34-14, Texas

Joe Cook – 31-14 Texas

Scipio Tex – 34-21, Texas.

4. Game of the Week

Eric Nahlin – Washington vs Auburn: My dad lived an easy walk from U-Dub for 20 years and my sister goes there now. My interest in the Huskies even predates Don James’ National Championship and with Chris Petersen at the helm they’re as easy to cheer now as they were then. Nostalgia aside, what I’m most excited about is watching Auburn’s run-game at work versus a tough defense. Tom Herman is an admirer of Gus Malzahn’s offense and of course there’s the Herb Hand angle. His fingerprints are still on that offense. I’ll be too consumed with pre-game anxiety to smoke crab legs I’ve bought for the Maryland game, but I’ll enjoy them while remembering crabbing the cold waters of Puget Sound as Washington secures a narrow victory over Auburn — 24-20.

Justin Wells – Miami vs LSU. The two multi-athletic teams tee off at AT&T Stadium on Sunday. A win for either would establish the other’s direction. The U’s coaches win this close one. And I’ll be there. Miami — 33-30.

Ian Boyd – Michigan vs Notre Dame. I think the Wolverines reveal a new look O with Shea Patterson that marries spread and pro-style tactics while the Irish struggle and began down a path in which they turn to Ian Book to unlock their O with his superior passing.

Joe Cook – Auburn and Washington, with Auburn winning.

Scipio Tex – LSU-Miami and Auburn-Washington

5. Upset pick of the week

Eric Nahlin – UW over AU

Justin Wells – Tech beats Ole Miss, 45-40.

Ian Boyd – FAU +21 against OU.

Joe Cook – UTSA over Arizona State

Scipio Tex – Army +14 over Duke

6. Season record prediction

Eric Nahlin – Heart says 10, head says nine. Texas is fully capable of winning each individual game, though the probabilities clearly state that’s unlikely. I’ll say 10, because my head is kind of in agreement with the conference being down. I thought about managing expectations but would rather go with what I believe. I predict Texas loses two between USC, TCU, K-State (first road game of the year), OU, and West Virginia.

Justin Wells – Nine wins (regular season), 2nd in Big 12, Champs Sports Bowl win over Florida State.

Ian Boyd – At least 10 wins and a Big 12 title

Joe Cook – Regular season, 9-3

Scipio Tex – 9-4

7. Big 12 Title prediction

Eric Nahlin – Texas over West Virginia. It’s both tough and easy to leave OU out. They’re out because I don’t like that they’re on the road at Iowa State, West Virginia, and TCU, plus I think UT will beat them.

Justin Wells – OU over Texas, 35-24

Ian Boyd – Texas over Oklahoma in a rematch

Joe Cook – WVU over OU

Scipio Tex – Oklahoma

8. Playoff prediction

Eric Nahlin – Washington, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson. The Big 10 is fascinating this season but I can see a two loss team winning the league. Georgia’s schedule is pretty easy relative to its talent and I could see it and Alabama undefeated headed into the SEC Championship game. I have Alabama winning the whole thing.

Justin Wells – Alabama, Clemson, Wisconsin, Georgia.

Ian Boyd – Georgia, Washington, Michigan, and Notre Dame. I liked Ohio State here but the distractions are getting pretty intense and I don’t know if that team is ready to hold together or not.

Joe Cook – Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, Stanford

Scipio Tex – Alabama, Ohio State, Washington, Clemson

9. Heisman prediction

Eric Nahlin – Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor. Wisconsin could very well make a playoff run. Taylor has a conducive schedule to both rack up yards and play high profile games, and his entire offensive line is returning. Most of the quarterbacks who will lead their teams into the playoff discussion are still quite young.

Justin Wells – Bryce Love will win it. Ed Oliver will deserve it, and Tua Tagovailoa will be in New York as the toast of CFB

Ian Boyd – D’Andre Swift probably puts up huge numbers as the primary workhorse behind a mauling Georgia OL. I liked Dobbins but, see above.

Joe Cook – Trace McSorley. Even with Moorhead and Barkley leaving, McSorley will be able to put up a lot of points and yards and a good system on his way to finishing second in the Big 10 East.

Scipio Tex – Bryce Love, Stanford. Should put up huge numbers. The West Coast is an anchor though. This year has the feel of a pretender Heisman year. See Trace McSorley.