Is this the year Texas fails to reach 10-wins?

Seven straight seasons of at least 10-wins - is that impressive streak about to end this year?

Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman released his prediction of another 10-win season. After a review of his article, I'm sticking with my prediction that Texas will finally finish under 10 wins.

Colt McCoy had a 'sophomore slump' in 2007 for a couple of reasons. One, he pressed the big play too much (by his own admission) but the main reason his offensive line wasn't anything close to what he had protecting him during his freshman year. Bohls suggests the Texas offensive line might be one of the best in the country this year? I see it getting better but not that good.

However, protection won't be McCoy's main issue this year. It will be dealing with the loss of the weapons he had last year. The main trouble will be dealing with the early entries of TE Jermichael Finley and RB Jamaal Charles.

Texas struggled last year, a lot more than some people remember. They struggled out of the game against Arkansas State and trailed TCU 10-o at half before the Frogs imploded with turnovers and perhaps an inspired speech by Mack Brown. The Horns barely get by Central Florida. Instead of exacting revenge against K-State for the previous year, the Longhorns get blown out by the Cats in the worst home loss of the Mack Brown era.

Credit Texas for pulling it together and playing Oklahoma tough. If not for Lofton's strip of Charles as he was headed for a go-ahead score, maybe Texas pulls the upset. However, Jermichael Finley was the offensive key for Texas as Oklahoma couldn't cover or tackle him for three quarters.

Texas (at home) did not score a TD against mediocre Nebraska until the fourth quarter where Charles saved the day with the majority of his 290 yards rushing. Charles also rescued Texas from defeat at Oklahoma State where the Cowboys held a 35-14 lead going into the fourth quarter. Charles ran for 180 but with an 11 yard per carry average in that game.

Texas outscored Tech in a wild 59-43 game in Austin but then tanked on another revenge opportunity against rival A&M. On a day in which the failed Coach Fran era ended in College Station, A&M dominated Texas with a comfy point cushion for most of the game.

Texas beat Arizona State in a high scoring Holiday Bowl for its 10th win. Arizona State was a good team but they played like crap in that game. Credit Texas for playing with a sense of purpose and applying pressure to Carpenter but the Sun Devils lost 5 turnovers to only one for Texas and there were several balls on the ground that the Texas offense was lucky to recover.

Bottom line, there are as many if not more Q-marks about Texas in 2008. Muschamp is a great hire that will immediately improve the attitude but he has work to do. There is the loss of a stout DT tandem in Frank Okam and Derek Lokey. A freshman secondary facing a pass happy league with quality QBs is not a recipe for immediate results. McCoy will have more protection but the quality and experience combo of his skill players takes a temporary dip. The WRs will be OK but there is no immediate heir apparent for Finley and more importantly Charles. The running back by committee approach doesn't scare defensive coordinators like Charles and his speed. (Why do think Texas was fuming over losing Darnell Scott to Colorado?)

Predicted Record: 8-4 regular season

Oklahoma is superior in trenches and Bradford has his athletic TE (Gresham) and home run threat at RB (Murray). Chase Daniel has something to prove in his home state and will torch the Longhorn secondary. It will be another tough day for the secondary in Lubbock as Tech will beat Texas. I also think Texas will lose at either Colorado or Kansas.

This is a transition year for Texas because of their youth but it will pay dividends for 2009 as they will be back as one of the elite teams in the Big 12 and a factor in the national title race. OU will sub out its starting offensive line in '09 and Missouri and Tech will drop with the departure of their QB and star receivers due to graduation and early entry, respectively.