Why the Texas Longhorns will win the 2024 National Championship
Longhorn nation we’re back–A famous quote from former Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger years back in the 2019 Sugar Bowl.
Only five years later, Ehlinger’s famous quote has been fulfilled. Texas is entering its first-ever College Football Playoff behind star quarterback Quinn Ewers, and boy are they looking back and better than ever. Let’s break down why the Longhorns will restore glory back to Texas football.
Texas has been battle-tested all season long, handing big-time opponents big-time losses all year long, and a big part of that is because of Ewers.
Ewers torched the perennial powerhouse Alabama, another College Football playoff team, in Week 2, slinging three touchdowns and 349 yards. The Southlake, Texas, native followed up that performance in Week 5 against Kansas, completing 25-of-35 for 325 passing yards with one touchdown, adding 40 rushing yards and two scores.
For a team as powerful on offense as Texas is, Ewers isn’t the only playmaker the Huskies and the rest of America have to watch out for. Xavier Worthy and Jonathan Brooks have been electric for the Longhorns all season long. Brooks has rumbled for 1,139 yards (on 187 carries) and 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. If Worthy isn’t 100 percent (ankle) heading into the Sugar Bowl, Brooks will look to be the main guy in the semifinal. Washington gives up 134 rushing yards per game while Texas defends the run game well, giving up the third-fewest rushing yards at 81.1 per game.
As for Worthy, if Ewers and he can team up for at least one more time in the semifinal, it could become dangerous. Washington ranks No. 121 in opponents passing yards per game, giving up an astonishing 263.2 passing yards per game.
Although the Big 12 has gained a bad rap for its poor defenses over the years, Texas has started to turn that stereotype around. The Longhorns has been a top-20 defense in yards allowed per game, but in the last three matchups against Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Texas Tech, the Longhorns have only given up an average of 270.3. By drawing a favorable matchup against the offensive juggernaut Washington Huskies, the Longhorns’ defense will have to continue their positive trend.
As for Texas, they drew arguably the best matchup for their style of play and strengths. Washington has given up almost 400 yards per game this season and allowed 5.4 yards per play. The Huskies give up points to their opponents in 84.09 percent of red zone trips; Texas scores in 80% of trips in the red zone.
If Texas wants to turn back time to 2005, they need to play how they’ve been playing all season long.
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