After a tough loss to Georgia on Saturday night, the Texas Longhorns found themselves in a familiar yet uncomfortable position: down but certainly not out. For about 30 minutes, it seemed like the defeat might linger longer than expected. But, as Coach Steve Sarkisian put it, the competitor in them refused to let that happen. “We don’t have time for the poor-me’s,” he said, echoing the mentality that defines a team with the kind of resilience Texas is known for.
Despite the 22-19 overtime loss to Georgia, there’s nothing that should make you feel sorry for Texas. The Longhorns might’ve fallen from No. 2 to No. 5 in the final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, but they’re still stacked with talent and have a lot to look forward to. Sunday wasn’t a day for feeling sorry for themselves. Even though they didn’t get the coveted CFP bye or the long break the Bulldogs received after winning the SEC Championship, Texas still has a lot going for it.
One of the most important takeaways from the weekend is that Texas earned the No. 5 spot, which is the highest for any team that didn’t receive one of the four automatic berths. It’s a significant achievement and one that gives them a strong shot at making a deep run in the playoffs. They’ll face a solid, but inconsistent Clemson team on December 21st at 3 p.m. While Clemson managed to claim the ACC title with a dramatic 56-yard walk-off field goal over SMU, they’re the lowest-seeded team in the playoff and are the only three-loss team remaining in the field. This is an opportunity for Texas to show what they're made of, especially since the game will be held at their home turf, Royal-Memorial Stadium, where they’ve posted a solid 6-1 record this season.
If Texas pulls off the win against the Tigers, they’ll likely face off against the surprising No. 4 seed Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day. Arizona State, who defied expectations by winning the Big 12 after being picked to finish last, has a tough running back in Cam Skattebo, but will be without top receiver Jordyn Tyson due to injury. This adds another layer of opportunity for the Longhorns, who will look to take advantage of any weaknesses they can find.
Moving forward, should Texas continue their playoff run, their semifinal game could be set in the Cotton Bowl, where they might meet the top-seeded Oregon Ducks, a team with explosive talent. One of the exciting elements of this playoff format is that Texas is on the opposite side of the bracket from Georgia, meaning they won’t face the Bulldogs again unless both teams make it to the national championship game on January 20. That gives the Longhorns a path to redemption, and the possibility of facing new, fresh competition is something to look forward to.
One of the key factors that will determine Texas’ success will be the recovery of some key players. All-America left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. missed the Georgia game due to a severe ankle sprain and also sat out most of the Texas A&M game. There’s hope that the two-week break will give him the time he needs to get back to full health and rejoin the offensive line. Meanwhile, wide receiver Isaiah Bond is recovering from an ankle injury and will need an MRI to understand the extent of his damage. These two players will be critical as Texas moves forward in the CFP, and any time off is welcome to help them regain full strength.
Coach Sarkisian emphasized that the team needs time to refresh both physically and mentally. With the season’s intense schedule, which has been full of high-stress games, a break is exactly what the Longhorns need. “We need to recharge,” Sarkisian said. “We need a few days to get ourselves back physically, but also mentally.” It’s been a season full of highs and lows, and now Texas has a chance to reset before the most crucial part of their season.
Looking ahead, Texas gets to play against a team they've never faced before, Clemson. For a squad that has had its fair share of encounters with Georgia, playing someone new is a welcome change. Clemson’s coach, Dabo Swinney, had plenty of praise for Texas in a recent call. He acknowledged that Texas has an impressive roster and that they’re capable of winning the entire tournament. “They’ve got an elite quarterback, explosive players outside… this is a complete football team,” Swinney said, clearly aware of what Texas brings to the table.
The loss to Georgia, though tough, provides a valuable learning experience for the Longhorns. Georgia’s defense is arguably the best in the country, with a front line that absolutely shut down Texas’ running game, limiting them to just 31 yards in the game and a total of 60 yards over two contests against the Bulldogs. Texas’ offensive line struggled to handle the pressure Georgia put on quarterback Quinn Ewers, who had a solid game with 358 passing yards, but was sacked six times and forced into two interceptions.
Sarkisian acknowledged Ewers' resilience, even in the face of such pressure. "I actually thought the guy who probably had one of the best games on offense was Quinn,” he said. “He really stood in there, and we didn’t block some things very well. He took some hits. He made plays outside the pocket.” Ewers’ performance is a silver lining, and his ability to stay calm under pressure will be key in future matchups. However, Texas must improve its run game and offensive line play to have sustained success against elite defensive fronts in the CFP.
Another area for improvement is Texas’ passing game. Despite the talent in the receiver corps, including Matthew Golden and DeAndre Moore Jr., the Longhorns had a season-worst six drops against Georgia. That’s a significant issue, especially when you consider that the team had only ten drops in the regular season up to that point. Texas will need to be more consistent in the passing game if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Despite all the challenges, one of the most encouraging aspects of this Texas team is their ability to stay focused and motivated. They’ve already proved their worth by earning their place in the CFP for the second consecutive year, and with a 23-4 record over the last two seasons, they’ve clearly shown they belong among the nation’s best. The losses to Oklahoma, Washington, and Georgia were tough, but they’re far from discouraging, especially when you consider the overall success Texas has had in recent years.
As Coach Sarkisian put it, “They’re really wired in and focused with the right intent and right sense of urgency needed to go compete here against Clemson.” The Longhorns know that the road to a championship goes through tough opponents, and they’re ready to push themselves to another level as they prepare for what could be a historic playoff run.
With a team that is hungry, talented, and eager for redemption, the Longhorns are in the perfect position to make some noise in the 2024 College Football Playoff. They’ve got the talent, the determination, and the coaching to go all the way. The question is: are they ready to seize the moment? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—this team is not going down without a fight.
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