AUSTIN, Texas -- Every year, there is excitement and optimism for Texas football.

  • Went 10-4 last year, won the Sugar Bowl
  • Head coach upholds high standards
  • Local quarterback returns

This year will be the first in a while when the hype is backed up by real success from the previous season.

The University of Texas’s football team went 10-4 last year and won the Sugar Bowl.

“We’re probably a bit ahead of schedule, to be honest with you, in terms of getting us back to consistently being where we expect Texas,” said head coach Tom Herman.

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With success comes even loftier expectations, that’s just the standard that Texas is held to. That is fine with Herman.

“We weren’t here to just have a really good season in year two,” he said. “We were here to rebuild a program that’s capable of sustaining success.”

It helps when you have one of the top quarterbacks in the country returning. Local product Sam Ehlinger had a spectacular sophomore season and is back as the unquestioned leader of the Longhorns.

“Sam loves to play with a chip on his shoulder, and I’m sure he will use this to crank it up a notch,” said Herman.

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Texas will report for camp in a few weeks and the season begins August 31 against Louisiana Tech.