Texas‘ jump to the SEC is imminent, and the Longhorns aren’t expecting to face a learning curve coming off their first run to the College Football Playoffs.
Heading into the 2024 season, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers explained two aspects of Texas that will help them compete at the highest level in the SEC right away.
“Fourth quarter and culture,” Ewers told reporters. “I think we’ve done a really good job setting a standard for the whole team, and even the younger guys. I think our leadership group on our team does a great job handling those things.”
Ewers name-dropped linebackers Morice Blackwell Jr. and Anthony Hill Jr., EDGE Barryn Sorrell and RB CJ Baxter. He said there were a few names he was forgetting because it’s “a bigger group than last year.” It appears there will be no lack of leadership in Austin this season.
As for the fourth quarter — Texas already seems to have that down. In 2023, Texas outscored its opposition 128-81 across 14 games. In nine of those games — including their two losses against Oklahoma and Washington — the Longhorns went and outscored its opposition in the fourth quarter. In fact, Texas outscored Alabama 21-8 during the final period on the road.
During the first eight weeks of the season, Texas dominated the fourth quarter. No opponent outscored them in the fourth quarter during that span where the Longhorns went on to score 87 points while letting up just 25 points including four shutouts during the final 15 minutes.
However, the back half of the season saw Texas regress in that respect. After the strong start, the Longhorns were met with tough tests against Kansas State and TCU who collectively outscored Texas 36-6 in their respective fourth quarters. Texas did come out on top on both occasions, though.
Going 12-2 with that type of late-game success will be a confidence boost to any team. Of course, Ewers feels as though they have one of the best locker room environments in the country.
Before the 2023 season, Texas had finished 13-12 over the first two seasons that Sarkisian led the program. However, now that his initial recruiting classes have matured and since Texas has become a landing spot for stars out of the transfer portal, it appears that the winning culture in Austin is here to stay with Sarkisian leading the charge.
Now, they’re set to head to the SEC where they’ll face an uphill battle against a slew of new opponents. Before that, however, the Longhorns’ focus will be on their Week 1 opponent on Aug. 31 at home against Colorado State.
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