Is Quinn Ewers BACK?
With Georgia and LSU losing last Saturday, the path to the SEC Championship is clear for the Texas Longhorns: win out and you’re in. What is your level of confidence in Texas running the table?
Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – I’d say my confidence is about a 6 or 7 out of 10. I think Texas can handle business against Arkansas and Kentucky, but that game in College Station is a massive wildcard.
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – Medium to high. Arkansas is obviously a scary opponent based on how much they hate Texas and how wild that stadium should be. Very glad it is a day game and not a night game and obviously, the A&M game on the road is spooky any year. My big anxiety is actually about what falls between those two. Coming off of a physical game against Arkansas, with the potential of looking ahead to Texas A&M, will players overlook Kentucky and fall flat at home?
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – I’d say around a 6 but only because I’m concerned about playing Texas A&M in a primetime atmosphere. Kyle Field is going to be on a different level and truly a game where you can throw out all the records. However, Texas won’t play another team that has a better roster or a better coaching staff from here on out. If they can stay out of their own way, and play like they did last week, Texas will find themselves in Atlanta.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – Quite strong, although my confidence level, remains unchanged after the Florida win. The Longhorns did what was expected, handling an overmatched opponent with a backup quarterback on their home turf. They looked impressive, but there’s still a lot that needs to go right for Texas to secure three more wins. My confidence in their ability to win out stems from the fact that Texas is healthy, playing fast, and has all the necessary pieces to beat three more opponents.
Did Quinn Ewers play his best game of the season against Florida?
Daniel – I would say yes. The games against Michigan and Florida are his two best games this year. He was confident and decisive. When he gets protected he is capable of picking defenses apart.
Gerald – Hard not to say yes. Set a career-high for touchdowns and looked to be in command of the offense. A lot has been made about the downfield passing, but none of that really matters when you have players like Isaiah Bond and Quintrevion Wisner that can make players miss in space and take it to the house.
Cameron – Without a doubt. When I reviewed the game film I found only ONE bad throw (the near interception over the middle). He played cool, calm, and collected. He showed great pocket presence. It was the type of performance that had Quinn as a Heisman contender before the season began.
Jacob – Yes. Ewers set season highs in yards and touchdowns while throwing his longest completed pass of the year. The stats speak for themselves. Beyond the stats, he looked much more poised in the pocket. Steadier footwork allowed Ewers to stand and deliver to all parts of the field.
Where does Arkansas rank on your list of Longhorn rivalries?
Daniel – I’ve got them third behind Oklahoma and Texas A&M. A very spicy matchup when the two programs get together, but not quite as high stakes as the other two rivalries.
Gerald – I think generationally for me, it has to be third, behind OU and A&M. Since I have actively been watching college football, they have played six times and have been in separate conferences the entire time. Now, that’s not to say that I don’t hate them and I am not glad to get the opportunity to beat them every year, but my personal context is different. Add into that the fact that I lived in Oklahoma for 13 years and now obviously live near Aggies, there’s a proximity aspect as well.
Cameron – I didn’t know Arkansas was a rival until 2021. I grew up with the Razorbacks in the SEC and completely off my radar. Texas A&M and Oklahoma are 1a and 1b, Kevin Mar is 2, and honestly, I would put Texas Tech ahead of Arkansas. Maybe that’ll change.
Jacob – I’d put Texas-Arkansas at third, but there’s a pretty big gap between that and the top two. There’s a lot of history with Arkansas, but the rivalry has cooled off lately—they’ve only played six times since 2000. The hatred, especially from Arkansas fans, is still there, just waiting to heat up again. Give it a couple of years in the SEC, and I think that gap will start to close.
What are the keys to a Texas victory tomorrow?
Daniel – Getting off to a fast start offensively and taking the home crowd out of it and making Taylen Green have to operate from the pocket by taking his ability to hurt you with his feet away.
Gerald – Containing Taylen Green. He is the straw that stirs the drink for the offense and allows guys like JaQuinden Jackson to be as effective as they are in the running game while making things happen with his feet in the passing game. He’s a true dual threat. Texas has the advantage of having one of the most talented linebackers in the country in Anthony Hill and a set of defensive ends that are wildly athletic, so they have the tools but can they make it happen?
Cameron – It starts with the big boys up front. It sounds like Taylen Green will be limited so Arkansas is going to rely on running the ball. Texas is 21st in the country in yards allowed per game so as long as they play to that standard, they should be able to control this game.
Jacob – Winning in the trenches. Controlling the line of scrimmage allows both sides of the ball for Texas to get creative, chaotic, and dangerous. On the offensive side, Texas has to be able to protect Ewers. If the front five can create clean pockets and give Ewers enough time to set his feet and deliver, things will open up against a secondary that has struggled. Defensively, Texas has to get a push up-front to force Arkansas into one-dimensional playcalling. Shutting down the Razorback rushing attack will be huge in doing that. Not to mention, winning the trenches should allow Texas to put pressure on Green and disrupt the passing game. For both sides of the ball, it starts up front.
What is your score prediction for Texas (-13.5) versus Arkansas?
Daniel (8-1/4-5 ATS) – I have a feeling Arkansas is going to come out with some pep in their step, but I ultimately think their defense is going to get dissected by the Texas offense. They didn’t have an answer for Ole Miss even though they didn’t have their best wide receiver in the lineup. Texas will present a lot of the same issues for them. Texas 42, Arkansas 24
Gerald (8-1/4-4 ATS) – I have a bit of worry that Arkansas does the Mississippi State “spread them out and run in the middle” scheme that worked really well, and frankly Taylen Green is better than Michael Van Buren. That being said, Arkansas has been known to give up explosive passing plays and Texas can likely put those up in spades. Texas 38, Arkansas 21.
Cameron (8-1/4-5 ATS) – Whatever happened during the bye week working for Sark and his staff. I think Texas will take their confidence and bring it to Fayetteville. Disregard all the talk about this being “just another game”. The staff and the 11 players from 2021 remember that game and we’ll see the retribution for it on Saturday. Texas 45, Arkansas 17
Jacob (8-1/5-4) – I don’t think Arkansas will have an answer for the Texas offense. Longhorns run away with a three-score victory. Texas 38, Arkansas 21