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Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?

By Dan Vasta

IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 12: Kicker Keith Duncan /
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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Charlie Strong of the Texas Longhorns talks with actor Matt McConaughey before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Darrell K Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Charlie Strong of the Texas Longhorns talks with actor Matt McConaughey before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Darrell K Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2016 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

20) Texas Longhorns

Key Player: QB Shane Buechele

Make no bones about it, Texas has not had success since their lastlegendary quarterback has left the program. Yes, the Burnt Orange badly miss Colt McCoy. The team has gone 46-42 since 2010, which is awful for their standards. Buechele is totally capable of being a stud for three or more years at Texas, he just needs a little leadership and growth development in year two. Tom Herman is the guy to help him achieve just that.

Key Stat: This is not a typo, I repeat this is not a typo.

The Longhorns are coming off their first three straight 7-plus loss season in program history!

Key Game: 10/21 Oklahoma State

Facing USC and Oklahoma might be a bit noteworthy, but this team needs to build momentum with a legit victory towards the stretch of the season. After this matchup with the Cowboys, they have to go on the road against Baylor and TCU. The Big 12 and their round robin makes most weeks fairly difficult. This team needs a signature win and I do not like their chances against those preseason juggernauts early on. While the Cowboys stack up well against anybody, playing in Austin is one where Tom Herman can really impress the boosters in year one.