What does Texas need to improve on in the final month to make the College Football Playoff?
The first College Football Playoff rankings were unveiled this week and the Texas Longhorns came in at No. 5. What was your initial reaction to ranking and other takeaways from the Top 25?
Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – Texas was about where I expected them to be for the first rankings revealing from the committee, so I won’t waste too much ink talking about where they landed. I thought the potential matchup of getting Alabama on campus for a rematch from a few years ago was pretty interesting. I would take the Longhorns to advance over the Crimson Tide if that one comes to be down the line. With how this season has played out so far, there is going to be a lot of movement on these rankings between now and December. If Texas takes things a week at a time and handles its business, it will at minimum host a playoff game.
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – I think the ranking makes sense, based on how Texas has performed relative to its peers. They’re a one-loss team that looked strong against bad opponents and struggled against the quality ones. I also think we need to talk about seeding because of the nuance that introduces. Because of the four AQs, Texas would drop to the sixth seed, matching them up with Alabama in Austin for the first week of the CFP. That would be a tough opener, with a win earning you the privilege of facing the potent Miami offense. The goal is to win out, including the SEC championship, and get a first-round bye, but if Texas can’t do that, I would prefer the five seed to the six, which is both a home game and playing the four seed in the second round, which would likely be the Big 12 Champion.
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – I’m surprised to see the love the Big 10 received with Penn State ahead of Tennessee and Indiana in front of a handful of SEC teams that would be favored over the Hoosiers on a neutral site. I won’t put too much stock in the Horns’ ranking since they can still earn a first-round bye. But the ranking shows that if Texas wins their next three games, they’ll be a lock for the playoff.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – I think the ranking is aligned with where the AP Poll has placed Texas but was better than I personally anticipated. Texas’ best win is at Vanderbilt given the demise of Oklahoma and Michigan. I expected the committee to put a lot of weight into the lack of quality wins and Georgia’s loss. This puts Texas into the driver’s seat for winning their way into a first-round bye or home playoff game. Elsewhere in the rankings, the placement of Indiana and BYU is interesting when compared to Miami and Penn State and really showcases how having a big college brand or a star player can influence a team’s spot. Understanding how the committee is ranking teams in this area will be crucial for Texas down the stretch.
The Texas Longhorns come out of the bye week with a closing four-week stretch ahead of them, beginning with the Florida Gators. Outside of turnovers and penalties, what does Texas need to improve on in the final month?
Daniel – Getting any wrinkles out of the pass protection and getting Quinn Ewers right heading down the home stretch of the schedule. The offense is going to go as he does, so they have to prioritize protecting him and getting him comfortable pushing the ball down the field again.
Gerald – The ground game offensively. I think a big reason why the offense has fluttered in the last few games is because the running game hasn’t found its footing. Whether that’s on the offensive line, the running backs, or a combination of the two, Texas needs to be able to stay balanced and produce on the ground when it needs them to.
Cameron – Establishing the running game. Sark made a good point that they don’t to run the ball just for the sake of running. But the lack of an explosive rushing attack is making it harder on the passing offense and Quinn Ewers. Whether it’s Jaydon Blue or Tre Wisner, Texas needs one of them to step up along with the offensive line.
Jacob – Getting the offensive line back on track. The struggles for the Texas offense have come from a multitude of factors. Regardless of whether you think the offensive line had little to contribute or was the sole reason, this group needs to reestablish themselves as a punishing unit that leads the team. Presnap communication, blitz pickup, and inside zone blocking are three areas where small improvements for this group will go a long way.
Steve Sarkisian announced that former 5-star wideout Johntay Cook is no longer with the program. How does this impact the wide receiver position going forward?
Daniel – Not much this season. Cook hasn’t really been a factor in the receiver rotation in 2024. Based on how things have gone this year, the spring was going to be huge for him and now it opens up space for incoming guys and potential portal targets. It stinks to lose a guy with his talent, but reading between the lines it looks like he was in need of a change of scenery.
Gerald – I think it’s less-than-ideal and I was someone that really loved his potential and athleticism. He was also a very loud recruiter for the Longhorns, so it’s odd that it went this way so quickly. He seemingly fell from grace following a game with a drop, even though Sark went back to him in the same game. I can understand the frustration of a young guy seeing Texas go out and portal three wide receivers in an offseason when he appeared to be the next man up. That being said, with the emergence of DeAndre Moore and Ryan Wingo getting some run, plus Ryan Niblett likely moving back to receiver after this year Texas is likely solid. You add in guys like Parker Livingstone, Freddie Dubose, and Aaron Butler from 2024 or the downright elite haul in the 2025 class, that room is stacked.
Cameron – It sucks for the program to lose a talented wideout and for Johntay to burn an incredible opportunity but for every DeAndre Moore and Ryan Wingo, there will be Johntay Cook’s. Moore has obviously taken his snaps and become a reliable target for Quinn Ewers so the impact will only be felt is Texas starts to lose depth with injuries at WR. Next season could be interesting depending on if Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden depart for the NFL Draft but with the transfer portal and two five-stars coming in next season, Texas will be alright.
Jacob – Losing a player during the season has locker-room-wide ramifications regardless of the player or reason is given that an in-season departure is normally subsequent to a catastrophic event (injury, court case, etc). So while it appeared that Cook was already on the path to transfer, the fact that he will not finish this season’s campaign is noteworthy. Production for the receivers may not look too different, but everything from the music in the WR room to who is running with the 2s will now be different. Moving forward, the subtle changes from his departure that have the potential to cause bigger ripples will need to be monitored. With the current depth, incoming recruits, and portal history, I expect the future production of the wide receivers to be okay.
Two seniors have had massive impacts on the field for Texas this season: Jahdae Barron and Gunnar Helm. Who’s had the most impressive season thus far?
Daniel – This is a tough one for me. Both players look to have played their way into firmly getting drafted at this point, so they have both made themselves some money. I will say Barron ever so slightly because he is a bonafide Thorpe Award candidate with how well he has played this year and has stood out in a secondary that has been one of the best in the nation.
Gerald – I think it has to be Gunnar Helm, probably because I expected a year like this from Barron. We knew Helm was good, but through the first part of the season he has gone from a guy who would get some NFL looks to one of the top 3 at his position in the country. His athleticism combined with his willingness as a blocker really makes me smile.
Cameron – Both players have significantly improved their draft stock, with Barron going as a projected first-round draft pick in The Athletic’s latest mock draft. But I’ll say Gunnar Helm since he’s the team’s leader receiver and Quinn’s favorite target. His development will be huge for Sark’s recruiting pitch, especially after his draft selection.
Jacob – Jahdae Barron is a semifinalist for an award that Texas hasn’t won in 20ish years with a real shot at bringing it home. Helm has had the more surprising season but the level of play from Barron is threatening levels that Texas hasn’t seen in some time. I’ve been most impressed with Barron’s versatility. He’s playing multiple positions and excelling in each facet of them. He’s second in the SEC in interceptions and fifth in the team in tackles.
What is your score prediction for Texas versus Florida?
Daniel (7-1/4-4 ATS) – Without DJ Lagway this one is going to be tough sledding for the Gators, and they are also down other offensive playmakers. Texas 34, Florida 13
Gerald (7-1/3-4 ATS) – I don’t think DJ Lagway will play, meaning Florida will roll out a Yale transfer at QB. I think Texas wins this game 35-10. Texas 35, Florida 10
Cameron (7-1/3-5 ATS) – If Lagway doesn’t play, Texas can let the dogs out on Aidan Warner and not have to try and do too much on offense. I think this game will be very similar to the Horns’ win over Mississippi State. Texas 38, Florida 13
Jacob (7-1/4-4 ATS) – Florida is not a good football team and won’t have their quarterback. Texas is coming off a bye week. I think this ends very favorably for the Longhorns. Texas 38, Florida 6