Plus, score predictions and favorite moments from the Lone Star Showdown
It’s probably the most anticipated College Football game of the 2024 season: the restoration of the rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies. What was your favorite moment of the Lone Star Showdown?
Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – Run Ricky Run and Justin Tucker walking it off are the two moments that immediately stand out for me. Ricky Williams going beast mode in Austin is one of my earliest memories of this rivalry from my childhood, while the kick by Tucker has been etched into my memory since it happened over a decade ago.
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – It’s really easy to say the Justin Tucker field goal to win the last time they played, and I will never fault anyone for saying that, but I think the drive that set it up – and specifically the Case McCoy scramble to put them in field goal range. The feeling of the air slowly coming out when people realized that once Case got them into Tucker’s range, it was all academic at that point.
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – The Case McCoy scramble that set up Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal. You could barely recognize the name and number on the back of his jersey by the end of the night due to the beating he took. But Texas does not win that game without his heart.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – 2009 was probably one of my favorite games. It felt like an all-time classic right there in the moment. Undefeated Texas against a mediocre Aggie team yet the magic of this game kept it close. Colt McCoy went absolutely bonkers. I’ll never forget the 65-yard romp. Not to mention, Marquise Goodwin, one of my all-time favorite Longhorns, dealt the knockout blow.
Is Texas a “lock” for the College Football Playoff despite whatever happens on Saturday?
Daniel – I don’t want to call them a lock, but I think the chaos that ensued last weekend certainly helped their chances of getting in there regardless of what happens on Saturday. I have a hard time seeing the committee leave out a 10-2 Texas team if things don’t go favorably in College Station.
Gerald – I don’t think so, especially because an unlikely blowout means that Texas has gotten soundly beaten by the two teams of equal talent they have played. I think it will be hard to keep a 10-2 Texas team out in any other context, but that specific outcome would present a big argument to keep the Horns on the outside.
Cameron – I think they would be in a pretty good spot to make in the playoff but would lose home-field advantage.
Jacob – No. Too much can still happen. In many scenarios, Texas is in, but another embarrassing loss coupled with the right dominoes elsewhere, and the committee may keep the Longhorns out.
What concerns you the most heading into College Station: Quinn Ewers’ ankle or the fumbling issues?
Daniel – Ewers’ ankle injury for sure, because he plays the most important position on the field and the last thing you want is for him to be a sitting duck back there against a front four that is formidable.
Gerald – I think it has to be the ankle because it determines so much about what the offense can do. If Ewers can’t relax the defense and get those elite linemen that A&M has on their heels, things get significantly harder for the Texas offense.
Cameron – Quinn’s ankle. The fumbling issues will likely rear their heads and a critical moment later on this season, but Texas needs Ewers to win this game. I believe a key cog of Sark’s gameplan will be attacking A&M with short and intermediate throws, which Quinn could complete after the injury against Kentucky. What scares me is if the Aggies’ pash rush starts to heat up and Quinn is constantly getting hit. Texas cannot afford to live in 2nd-and-long situations in this game.
Jacob – I agree with Gerald. The offense goes as No. 3 does. With the ankle, I’m more worried about what it does to Quinn mentally. He’s at his best when he stays calm and mobile in the pocket. A bum ankle has the potential to make him, or any other QB for that matter, antsy in the pocket. For any throws down the field, he’ll need good footwork and it’s tough to do that when you’re antsy or relying on only one good ankle.
Texas beats Texas A&M if…
Daniel – They stay composed and play a disciplined game in a hostile environment. Emotions are going to be very high in this game and staying within yourself is going to be one of the biggest challenges. On paper, I think Texas is the better team, but this game isn’t played on paper it is played on grass.
Gerald – The defense plays sound assignment football, limiting Marcel Reed’s ability to gash them in the zone-read game.
Cameron – Texas beats A&M as long as they don’t beat themself. Texas was cruising against Kentucky and then what happened? They started to put the ball on the ground and all of a sudden, it was a game. The Aggies are a good football team but with a lack of depth at running back and a freshman at quarterback, Texas can play their game and win this.
Jacob – the offense limits turnovers. Giving A&M extra possessions with a short field will be one of the few ways that they can score. Texas has to hang on to the ball.
What is your score prediction for Texas (-6) versus Texas A&M?
Daniel (10-1/5-6 ATS) – Texas 28, Texas A&M 24
Gerald (10-1/4-6 ATS) – Texas 35, Texas A&M 17
Cameron (10-1/5-6 ATS) – Texas 27, Texas A&M 24
Jacob (10-1/5-6) – Texas 31, Texas A&M 21