No. 4: Texas Longhorns

The One Great Season College Football Countdown continues Tuesday. We'll be counting down the preseason Top 25 teams in 2010. Today's No. 4 is Texas.

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

Most teams that lose the kind of star power that Texas lost from its 13-1 squad a year ago are faced with rebuilding seasons.

And then there's Texas, which brings in stellar recruiting classes year after year, luring top talent and developing young players into key contributors, each ready to make an immediate impact.

While Texas brings back a few key holdovers for a defense that was among the nation's stingiest last year, coordinator Will Muschamp is expecting prized recruits Taylor Bible, Jordan Hicks and Jackson Jeffcoat to contribute as true freshmen. Reports out of Austin suggest concern over a thin line, but tackle Sam Acho (10 sacks) is a beast and should man the middle while younger ends find a comfort zone.

The Texas secondary will be outstanding with ball-hawking safety Blake Gideon leading a unit that boasts three future NFL cornerbacks.

Texas returns a few nice parts on offense as well, but they'll be asked to replace a load of experience. Departed Colt McCoy's NCAA-record 45 career wins is almost as many as the 47 combined starts for those likely to protect new quarterback Garrett Gilbert in 2010. Shuffling, inexperience and even an injury will make the offensive line perhaps the weak link when Texas takes the field against Rice on Sept. 4.

As the Longhorns seek a more balanced offensive attack, Fozzy Whittaker will be an exciting back to watch if he can stay healthy, but Tre Newton might be even better. Cody Johnson is turning heads in camp this fall, and should push both for playing time.

Texas certainly will miss McCoy's favorite target, Jordan Shipley, but the Longhorns return wideouts aplenty. Seniors James Kirkendoll and John Chiles and junior Malcolm Williams combined last year for 121 catches, 1,330 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Who's back? QB Garrett Gilbert, WR James Kirkendoll, DT Sam Acho, S Blake Gideon, CB Curtis Brown

Who's gone? QB Colt McCoy, WR Jordan Shipley, DE Sergio Kindle, S Earl Thomas

Why they'll win: It's the Longhorns, which means they're well-coached and there's talent all over the field. Also, leaving the state of Texas for just two games should help matters.

Why they'll lose: Inexperience in some parts, combined with a stretch of four potentially difficult games from mid-September to mid-October.

Get your tickets: at Texas Tech (Sept. 18), vs. UCLA (Sept. 25), vs. Oklahoma (at Dallas, Oct. 2), at Nebraska (Oct. 16)

Prediction: 11-1 (7-1, Big 12 South champs)