College Sports

By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer

SAN ANTONIO — Nine bowl opponents.

In the badlands versus en vogue Big 12 South spoiler Texas Tech, led by quick-strike-a-pose hopeful Graham Harrell at quarterback.

Missouri and Kansas, archrivals which together remained alive in national title hunt until the waning moments last year, invading from the north.

The Red River Rivalry — no matter the official name, intends to always remain a shootout.

Texas A&M’s Mike Sherman taking the first steps toward becoming the next Pete Carroll.

And, Cobra Kai?

No, but Texas football coach Mack Brown knows the Longhorns have a Mr. Miyagi-esque chore awaiting them this fall. With his tenure at UT turning a decade old, Brown looked back to put the upcoming work in perspective.

“It’s the toughest schedule since we’ve been in Austin,” he said.

The statement came as Brown spoke with reporters during the second day of the THSCA Coaching School and All-Star Games on Tuesday. Just over two hours after Sherman approached the microphone as a former NFL guy, Brown arrived as the Miyagi of Texas college football — the voice of wisdom, the national champion.

No matter where one looks, though, the Longhorns have suddenly moved into the back seat of the Big 12. Oklahoma and Missouri — and, perhaps, others — are in front navigating. Headlines have made mention this summer, including the seemingly-puzzled Kansas City Star last week: “Strange new world, Texas appears to be an underdog.”

The Longhorns went 10-3 last season, their seventh straight season to record double-digit victories. Not to mention they finished No. 10 in the final Associated Press and Coaches polls, just after sticking a fork in the Arizona State Sun Devils, 52-34, in the Holiday Bowl.

Still, there are question marks in the running game, the secondary and on the defense in general — finished 56th in the nation last year (371.2 yards per game) and 76th in points allowed (24.6 per game). All helped provide a fourth-place showing in the conference’s pre-season media poll, and will force Brown to continue finding answers when the players report Sunday.

Having found many following the upset loss to Texas A&M — “I had to have answers, not questions” — Brown has opportunity for even more, quickly, during the next several months. Just look at the schedule.