Before Quinn Ewers’ historic fourth and 13 28-yard touchdown pass in overtime to Matthew Golden, he was 18-28 passing for 269 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. That’s a healthy 9.6 yards per attempt. These are good numbers in a championship elimination game.

Then came fourth and 13—excuse me for saying this—where Ewers was Bradyesque. He calmly and routinely read the defense and audibled into Golden’s post pattern for the touchdown. No fuss, no muss. I now have a greater understanding of why Steve Sarkisian has been steadfast in sticking with Ewers. That was the Ewers we thought we were getting for the next three years after the first quarter of the Alabama game in Austin in 2022. Better late than never.

Steve Sarkisian had a lazy game plan for Arizona State, harkening back to Tom Herman’s philosophy: “We just run our stuff.” Every analyst I read before the game accurately predicted how the ASU defense would play Texas. Either Sark didn’t anticipate what ASU would do or thought he could beat them with base concepts. Texas’ two-play touchdown drive to open the game made Sark look pretty smart. After that drive, the offense went to punt, FG, punt, safety. Texas scored three points in the second quarter and no points in the third quarter (more on that later).

The offense got back on track with a 5:23 drive that ended with Ewers’ scramble for a touchdown, giving Texas a 24-8 lead with 10:17 left in the fourth quarter. A time-consuming drive for Texas could ice the game after ASU scored a touchdown and two-point conversion to make the score 24-16 with 6:29 left in the fourth quarter. Texas’ possession started well with a 6-yard run to Texas’ 39. Second and four and needing to run the clock, another Wisner run seemed in order. Instead, Ewer’s deep post pass was underthrown and intercepted. Why?  I think for all his offensive play-calling acumen, Sarkisian lacks a feel for situational football. I don’t want to trade Sark for another coach, but I don’t have confidence in his decision-making late in close games.

Third Quarter woes

It’s common knowledge that the Texas offense has struggled in the third quarter in the last half of the season. The chart below shows that Texas hasn’t scored in four of the seven games or scored a touchdown in any of them. Maybe Sark needs a new script for the third quarter. Against Ohio State, the best team Texas will have played this season, it’s hard to see how they can win if their third-quarter futility continues.  Based on my 50 + years of closely following college and pro football, I will tell you that trends as strong as this rarely change during a season.

Opponent	1st Q points	2nd Q points	3rd Q points	4th Q points	OT	Final score
Vanderbilt	14	7	3	3		27-24
Arkansas	7	3	3	7		20-10
Kentucky	7	17	0	7		31-14
Texas A&M	7	10	0	0		17-7
Georgia	3	3	0	10	3	19-22
Clemson	7	21	3	7		38-24
Arizona State	14	3	0	7	15	39-31
	59	64	9	41

Texas’ Offensive line

Please don’t tell me anymore that Texas has an elite offensive line. They have been exposed as average at best in two Georgia games and the Arizona State game.

Auburn and Texas special teams.

If Bert Auburn misses a field goal of less than 40 yards early, is there any chance that Sark will turn to Will Stone?

Did you know that Texas’ special teams rank 112 in the country?  It’s hard to believe that Texas could get suckered again by a fake punt, but what does Ohio State see on the film of Texas’ vulnerability to be had by an unexpected onside kick? And you know Ohio State noticed that the Aggies blocked a Texas punt.

Final

I’ve heard that Steve Sarkisian is ticked by the conventional wisdom that Ohio State will win big over Texas. He is also confident that his team will win. Hope he’s right. Either way, I’m really happy that we’re part of it.

Hook ‘em,

W.E.

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