Texas Longhorns Have Glaring Concern Heading Into 2024

Although we're still a few weeks away from the start of the college football season, the Texas Longhorns are already grappling with significant injury setbacks.

Just a week after losing sophomore running back CJ Baxter to a season-ending knee injury, the Longhorns suffered another blow as freshman Christian Clark tore his Achilles. Like Baxter, Clark will require season-ending surgery, further depleting Texas' depth at the running back position.

With these injuries, the Longhorns are left with only three scholarship players in the backfield: Jaylon Blue, Quintrevion Wisner, and Jerrick Gibson. This situation is far from ideal, especially as Texas embarks on its inaugural season in the highly-competitive SEC. However, while the loss of Clark is unfortunate, it might not be as detrimental as it initially appears.

For those considering betting on Texas to win the SEC or even the National Championship, these injuries shouldn’t deter you. The Longhorns have a deep roster with talented players ready to step up, and the coaching staff is well-equipped to adapt to these challenges.

Injuries are part of the game, but the Longhorns still have the pieces in place to make a strong run this season. So if you're thinking about placing a bet on Texas, there's no need to shy away just yet. Here's why…

The injury to Baxter is significant—there’s no way around that. Last year, as a freshman, he played in 12 games, serving as the backup to Jonathan Brooks, who was selected in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.

Baxter finished the season with 639 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries, along with 24 receptions for 156 yards. He stepped up as the Longhorns’ starter for the final four games of the season after Brooks was sidelined with an injury.

With Baxter out, Blue was expected to take over as the RB1, with Wisner and Gibson following on the depth chart ahead of Clark.

Blue is certainly capable of assuming the top spot in the backfield. He played a consistent role in the Longhorns’ rotation last season, finishing with 65 carries for 398 yards and three touchdowns. While his opportunities were limited, he averaged an impressive 6.1 yards per carry in 2023.

Blue’s limited playing time wasn’t due to a lack of talent. Throughout his time at Texas, he’s been behind Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Jonathan Brooks—all of whom are now in the NFL. Blue and Baxter were expected to be a one-two punch this season, but Blue is more than capable of stepping into the lead role.

Wisner primarily contributed on special teams last year but has made significant strides this offseason, positioning himself as a regular part of the backfield rotation. Gibson, a four-star recruit entering his first season in Austin, also has considerable upside. Both players were likely ahead of Clark on the depth chart, even before his injury.

Moreover, Texas' strength lies not just in its running game but also in its robust passing attack and solid defense, which can help mitigate the impact of these injuries.

The Longhorns are -225 to make the College Football Playoff and +800 to win the championship at BetMGM. While the loss of Baxter is significant, don't let these injuries deter you from backing Texas this season.