CFB odds: Soft Entitled Tea Sippers. That is what the Texas Longhorns have the reputation for being and the record certainly supports that moniker as Texas has failed to post a double digit win season since 2009. Head coach Mack Brown was never able to recover from the BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama and the 2009 season proved to be his last run at glory as Brown retired under fire last year. Enter Charlie Strong, who had considerable success as head coach of Louisville and could not be more opposite of Brown. Where Brown was smooth and the ultimate politician Strong is a no nonsense cut to the chase football man and strict disciplinarian that has already kicked multiple trouble making Longhorns off the team even before one game has been played. The question now is if Strong is the right fit at Texas. Texas opened at BetDSI as a +7000 choice to win the BCS national championship with an over under win total of 7.5 -115 over and -115 under.
Culture Shock
Mack Brown ran a relatively loose ship and that was reflected on the field as Texas struggled to run the ball effectively while having, at best, a mediocre defense. The Longhorns have long lacked a reputation for being a tough physical team. Strong is working to change that but it won’t happen overnight as he still is playing with a team that was mostly recruited and schooled under Brown. The dismissal of players during the offseason did send notice that discipline will be at a premium for as long a Strong is head coach.
Handicapper’s Notebook
Texas has covered the spread in just four out of their last 12 games as a favorite with nine out of their last 14 games as a favorite going over the total. Texas has covered the spread in just six out of their last 18 games as a dog with nine out of their last 15 games as a dog going under the total.
Our Prognosis
We admire what Strong is trying to do but the first year will likely prove to be the most difficult as the transition and contrast is too stark. Eventually we expect Strong to have a Texas team built in his image but not this year.
