An early look at '06
Stewart Mandel, SI.com
Stewart Mandel
SI.com
Amidst the postgame celebration on the field following Texas' Rose Bowl victory late Wednesday, Austin resident Lance Armstrong -- a guy who knows a little something about following up a championship -- summed up the state of Texas football: "The good news is, we're national champions," said Armstrong. "The bad news is, I don't think Vince [Young] is coming back -- and I don't blame him."
As anyone who watched Young's epic performance against USC can attest, the 'Horns would not be national champions today if not for their awe-inspiring junior quarterback. So naturally, any talk of a potential repeat in 2006 begins and ends with Young as well.
For months, the Houston native swore he'd be back for his senior season just like all of Mack Brown's previous junior stars (Nathan Vasher, Derrick Johnson, Roy Williams, Cedric Benson). His stance started to soften in the week leading up to the Rose Bowl, however, and was clearly on the fence during his postgame news conference on Wednesday night.
"It's all about sitting down with my family and making the right decision," he said. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft is Jan. 15.
The 'Horns lose a few key seniors -- most notably All-Americas Jonathan Scott, Rodrique Wright and Michael Huff -- but return a solid nucleus of tailbacks Selvin Young, Jammal Charles and Ramonce Taylor, key receivers Limas Sweed, Billy Pittman and Quan Cosby, three starting offensive linemen and most of the defense. Young is the key to it all, however. Without him, Texas may be forced to hand the keys to the offense to a first-year player -- either redshirt freshman Colt McCoy or incoming frosh Jevan Snead. Not exactly the recipe for a repeat.
But it's also not like the wheels will come tumbling off if Young bolts. The fact is, Mack Brown's program has been among the elite nationally for several years now, but needed Wednesday's victory to gain that last strand of credibility. The 'Horns have been recruiting juggernauts for years -- their current class is ranked at or near the top by most services -- and they only figure to get stronger from here. Brown isn't going anywhere, and while his staff is full of highly respected assistants, most of them are not the type who will be jumping at the first big offer.
Without Young, Texas will be hard-pressed to win another title next season. But don't count on the 'Horns going another 35 years without one, either.
Early 2006 Top 10
1. Texas -- If Vince comes back.
2. Notre Dame -- This could be the season Irish fans have been waiting for since 1993. Seventeen starters return, most notably QB Brady Quinn, RB Darius Walker and WR Jeff Samardizja, and WR Rhema McKnight returns from injury to replace Maurice Stovall. The defense will obviously need to mature.
3. USC -- Next season should be much like 2003, when the Trojans had to replace Carson Palmer, Troy Polamalu and all its significant running backs. They'll be fine by halfway through the year, but like Cal did that season, someone should be able to knock them off early.
4. LSU -- We've long known how much talent is on hand in Baton Rouge, and you saw in the Peach Bowl what the Tigers are capable of when it all clicks. The offense will be loaded, especially with RB Alley Broussard returning, but the defense has numerous holes to fill.
5. Ohio State -- Following his epic Fiesta Bowl performance, QB Troy Smith should enter the season a Heisman candidate, and the offense will again be potent. Replacing A.J. Hawk and two other starting linebackers, as well as WR Santonio Holmes, will be a challenge.
6. West Virginia -- The Mountaineers made a statement for next year with their impressive Sugar Bowl win over Georgia. It seems hard to believe, but the eye-popping stars of that game, quarterback Pat White and tailback Steve Slaton, were freshmen this season.
7. Florida -- Urban Meyer's offenses exploded in his second seasons at Bowling Green and Utah. It might not be as dramatic for the Gators -- especially with so many holes on the O-line -- but QB Chris Leak looked a lot more comfortable against Iowa in the Champs Sports Bowl.
8. Oklahoma -- The rest of the Big 12 took their best shots at the young Sooners this season; it won't be as easy next year. A healthy Adrian Peterson in the backfield, a more mature Rhett Bomar at quarterback and a more experienced offensive line should help OU return to prominence.
9. Michigan -- The Wolverines were ranked way too high going into this season; next year, they'll likely be rated too low. QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WRs Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham all return for a squad that wasn't nearly as bad as its 7-5 record.
10. Cal -- The Bears' offense exploded its last two games after coach Jeff Tedford finally pulled the plug on erratic QB Joe Ayoob. With Steve Levy or Nathan Longshore at quarterback complementing RBs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, Cal's attack could be pretty scary in 2006.
Keep an eye on: Auburn, Florida State, Nebraska, Clemson and Iowa.
