19 Days, 19 Questions: #12

With 12 days left until KICKOFF, 'The Forty' is back in business and going to run down the top 19 questions for the upcoming year.


12: Can Colt McCoy avoid the "Sophomore Slump?"

Just like the fortunes of Jamaal Charles, Colt McCoy's success is inextricably linked to the performance of the Texas offensive line. Unless the o-line proves to be incredibly porous, there is not much keeping Colt from matching, or surpassing, the numbers he put up in 2006. Last season, redshirt freshman, McCoy beat out Jevan Snead for the starting quarterback position. By the middle of the year, McCoy's name was being mentioned in the Heisman race.


McCoy's season came to a dissapointing conclusion when he was injured on a QB sneak in the opening quarter of the Kansas State game. Colt missed the rest of the game and tried to make a comeback start against Texas A&M. A weak shoulder, along with a staunch Aggie defense, forced Colt into numerous mistakes and he finished the day throwing three interceptions.

Despite the two game setback, McCoy exceeded all expectations and was, by all accounts, the best QB in the Big 12 and a top ten QB in the nation. Colt finished the year with a 68.2 completion percentage, 2,570 passing yards and 29 TDs. These are stunning numbers for a Freshman who had never seen a college snap before.

McCoy returns for 2007 with a year under his belt and an array of wide receivers that would make any quarterback in the country jealous. He has been tabbed by most pre-season publications as a top 5 quarterback and a contender for the Heisman trophy. Offensive coordinator, Greg Davis, has reaffirmed his commitment to the pass in 2007 and looks for Colt to have another fantastic statistical season.

One worry McCoy might have is how quickly a new offensive line can gel. And they better do it fast if McCoy does not want to spend the TCU game on his back. But as of right now, there is not a big reason to think that the o-line will not do a competent job of protecting McCoy and the passing game. If they can even get close to the performance of last year's line, McCoy will be sitting in New York, as a top 4 finisher in the Heisman trophy ceremony.

My Prediction: 3,100 yards, 29 TD, 6 INT, 67% completion