Texas football is one of the most storied and successful programs in college football history, with four national championships, 32 conference titles, 62 bowl appearances, and 153 All-Americans. The Longhorns have also produced some of the greatest players and coaches in the sport, such as Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, Vince Young, Colt McCoy, Mack Brown, and Tom Herman. However, Texas football has also faced some challenges and struggles in recent years, especially after the departure of Brown in 2013, who led the team to its last national title in 2005. The Longhorns have gone through three head coaches, Charlie Strong, Herman, and Steve Sarkisian, and have failed to win the Big 12 conference or reach the College Football Playoff since 2009.
The 2023 season was a turning point for Texas football, as Sarkisian, a former offensive coordinator at Alabama, took over the helm and brought a new energy and vision to the program. Sarkisian inherited a talented roster, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, a five-star recruit who had originally committed to Ohio State, but changed his mind and enrolled at Texas in August 2023. Ewers, who was dubbed as the “next Trevor Lawrence” by some analysts, proved to be a phenom and a leader, as he threw for 4,522 yards and 45 touchdowns, with only six interceptions, in his freshman season. He also broke several school and conference records, such as the most passing yards and touchdowns in a single game, season, and career. Ewers was supported by a dynamic offense, featuring running backs CJ Baxter and Keilan Robinson, wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Ja’Tavion Sanders, and tight end Jordan Whittington, who all had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and double-digit touchdowns.
The Longhorns also improved their defense, which had been a weakness in previous seasons. Sarkisian hired Pete Kwiatkowski, a former defensive coordinator at Washington, who implemented a 4-2-5 scheme that suited the personnel and the style of play in the Big 12. The defense was led by linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who had 112 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and six sacks, and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The secondary was also solid, with cornerbacks D’Shawn Jamison and Josh Thompson, and safeties BJ Foster and Jerrin Thompson, who combined for 16 interceptions and 42 pass breakups.
The Longhorns finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, with their only loss coming against Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown, where they blew a 21-point lead and lost 55-52 in a thrilling shootout. The Longhorns avenged their loss in the Big 12 Championship Game, where they faced the Sooners again at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Longhorns dominated the game from start to finish, as they led 28-7 at halftime and never looked back. Ewers threw for 452 yards and four touchdowns, while Baxter ran for 43 yards and a touchdown, and Robinson ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns. The defense also shut down the Sooners’ offense, holding them to 287 yards and forcing four turnovers. The Longhorns won 49-21, clinching their first Big 12 title since 2009, and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history1
The Longhorns will face the No. 1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl Classic, which will be played on December 31, 2023, at AT&T Stadium. The Longhorns will face a familiar foe, as Sarkisian will go against his former boss, Nick Saban, who has led the Crimson Tide to six national championships, including the last two. The Longhorns will also face a formidable opponent, as the Crimson Tide have a 13-0 record, and feature the Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Bryce Young, who threw for 4,322 yards and 43 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. The Crimson Tide also have a balanced offense, with running back Brian Robinson Jr., who ran for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns, and wide receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie III, who both had over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide also have a stout defense, led by linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who had 91 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks, and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. The Crimson Tide are favored by 10 points over the Longhorns, according to the latest odds2
The Longhorns are confident and motivated to face the Crimson Tide, as they believe they have the talent and the coaching to compete with the best team in the nation. The Longhorns also have some history and rivalry with the Crimson Tide, as they met in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game, where the Crimson Tide won 37-21, after the Longhorns’ star quarterback, Colt McCoy, was injured in the first quarter. The Longhorns are eager to avenge that loss and prove themselves on the biggest stage of college football. The Longhorns also have the support and the pride of their fans, alumni, and the state of Texas, who have been waiting for a decade to see their team return to glory3
Texas football is one of the most successful and prestigious programs in college football history, and the 2023 season has been a remarkable and memorable one for the Longhorns. The Longhorns have won the Big 12 championship, and have reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. The Longhorns have also showcased their talent, leadership, and character, under the guidance of Sarkisian, who has transformed the culture and the performance of the program. The Longhorns have one more challenge ahead of them, as they will face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl Classic, in a game that will determine their fate and their legacy. The Longhorns are ready and excited to play the game of their lives, and to make history for themselves and for Texas football.
No comments:
Post a Comment