If you wanted to stay objective about the Longhorns’ domination of Michigan in Ann Arbor, you could point out that Michigan lost its head coach and ten offensive starters from its 2023 National Championship team, including first-round draft pick quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Overall, they have only six returning starters from their 2023 team. Objectively, I don’t see it that way. Texas didn’t squeak out a victory against a team with 16 new starters. The 2024 Michigan’s core comprises recruiting classes ranked thirteenth in 2021, ninth in 2022, and seventeenth in 2023.  Michigan entered the Texas game riding a 29-game regular season winning streak, including a 23-game home winning streak. When the television coverage of the game started, I saw more than 100,000 fired-up maize-clad Michigan fans; I thought, uh oh, this may be harder than we’d been led to believe.

Steve Sarkisian

It wasn’t harder because Steve Sarkisian has done a masterful job recruiting high school talent and through the transfer portal. Over the years, I’ve been skeptical when the blog sites covering Texas have touted Texas’ talent because it wasn’t translating to performance on the field. After 12-2 last year, which included beating Alabama on the road and the beat down of Michigan on the road, I’m a believer. Texas is loaded. Sarkisian also should be credited with out-coaching Wink Martindale, Michigan’s defensive coordinator. Martindale is a 20-year NFL defensive coaching veteran. He was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021 and the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023.

Quin Ewers

Remember how excited we were after Quin Ewers’ performance in the 2022 Alabama game before he got injured and how good he was when he returned from injury for the Oklahoma game that year?  Then Ewers went a little sideways, including 17 for 39 passing in a loss to TCU. The loss knocked Texas out of contention for the Big 12 Championship. After that, I know fans who gave up on Ewers.  Ewers was dumb, they said. Look at his stupid haircut and beard; he must be an idiot incapable of being a good college quarterback. Despite his strong performance in Texas’ loss to Washington in the Alamo Bowl, a game Texas probably would have won if Xavier Worthy hadn’t dropped two perfect throws from Ewers that would have been touchdowns, fans, and commentators speculated how long it would take for Arch Manning to beat him out in 2023.

Then Ewers got a new haircut and shaved his beard, and voila, he was transformed into a good quarterback in 2023. Obviously, shaving and his close-cropped hair didn’t account for his improvement. What made him better was his maturing from his 2022 experience. He also lost 20 pounds, gained pocket mobility, and became an effective runner when this situation called for it. It didn’t hurt that Steve Sarkisian implemented game plans that were more balanced between running and passing. Oh yeah, and he’s not stupid.

After the Michigan game, Ewers is recognized as perhaps the best quarterback in the country. He is currently the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Arch Manning will only get on the field in 2024 because of blowouts or an Ewers injury. The blowouts will happen. Hopefully, an injury won’t.

******

I lead my first column of the year describing a theory about the arc of a championship team. In season one, you lose big (Texas 2021,5-7). In season two, you lose close (Texas 2022,8-5). In season three, you win close (Texas 2023, 12-2). In season four, you win big (Texas 2024, TBD). After the Michigan game, I’m asking myself, is Texas proving this theory?

Watching the Michigan game

When I’m playing in competitive golf matches, I don’t celebrate making good shots, putts, or winning holes. I only celebrate after I’ve won. Heck, witnesses to one of my hole-in ones were dumbfounded when I didn’t get excited. A hole-in-one doesn’t a good round make.

I watch Texas games the same way—stoically. So, I surprised myself when I jumped out of my chair and shouted when Ewers threw an apparent touchdown pass to Gunner Helm on Texas’ first drive. The touchdown was called back on a dubious holding call. As the game continued, with Texas pummeling Michigan, I celebrated loudly all over my den. I especially celebrated Ewers’ brilliant five-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden, putting Texas up 24-3 at the half. I’m pretty excited about the Longhorns.

UTSA

Pro Football Focus currently power ranks UTSA 78th in the country, with Texas at No. 2. UTSA’s offense is ranked 102nd against the 75th-rated strength of schedule.

The Roadrunners have been playing fast at 81 snaps per game. They’ve passed on 68% of their snaps.

They lost to Texas State last week 49-10.

Steve Sarkisian made sure his players knew about Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois last week after their road win over Texas A&M.

Hook ‘em,

W.E.

Songs of the Week

This one makes me misty