The Texas Longhorns are back in the limelight, thanks to Head Coach Steve Sarkisian and QB sensation Quinn Ewers, stirring up national championship hopes faster than you can say “Hook ’em Horns!” But as Uncle Ben told Spider-Man, with great expectations comes the pressure to deliver the goods.
Since Sarkisian took the reins in 2021, the Longhorns have been on a tear. They plucked Ewers, a projected NFL top-10 pick, from Ohio State, snagged Arch Manning, football royalty, and bagged their first Big 12 title since ’09, notching a historic College Football Playoff debut.
Now ranked a lofty No. 3 preseason with serious title odds, Texas is poised for glory. But to transform hype into reality, here’s the game plan:
Shut down opposing QBs: Last season’s Achilles’ heel? A green secondary that ranked 113th against the pass, torched notably by Michael Penix Jr. in a Sugar Bowl stinger. Enter Clemson’s Andrew Mukuba and seasoned vet Jahdae Barron, bolstering the defense. With Derek Williams Jr. maturing and newcomer Xavier Filsaime, shutting down QBs—like Georgia’s Carson Beck—is critical.
Excellence from Quinn Ewers: Ewers faces a different ball game in 2024. With top receivers off to the NFL and SEC defenses upping the ante, the stakes are higher. Adaptation is key—meshing with newbies, including Alabama transplant Isaiah Boyd, and navigating SEC titans like Georgia. Can Ewers replicate last year’s magic against tougher defenses? Stay tuned.
Watch out for Oklahoma: The Red River Rivalry isn’t just tradition; it’s a potential trap. Last year’s shocker against Oklahoma rings a bell, courtesy of Dillon Gabriel’s heroics (now rocking Oregon green). In 2024, Texas juggles Mississippi State, then faces Georgia—big guns blazing. Timing is everything, with a bye before Georgia, keeping minds clear for the battle ahead.
Texas has sights set on the national crown last held in ’05. With Sarkisian’s strategy, Ewers’ arm, and a fired-up Longhorn nation, the path to the top won’t be easy—but it’s within reach. This season promises gridiron drama, SEC showdowns, and, just maybe, a return to championship glory for the burnt orange faithful.
