NCAA College Football: Last Season in Review – Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns entered the 2024 season with expectations sky-high — and for most of the year, they met them head-on. A 13-3 record. A dominant run through the SEC. And a statement win over Alabama that signaled they were not just contenders, but favorites.

Under Steve Sarkisian, Texas finally looked like Texas again. Quinn Ewers matured into the quarterback fans were promised. The defense — often the Achilles’ heel of recent Longhorn teams — was fast, physical, and opportunistic. There were few weak spots. When they punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff, it didn’t feel like a Cinderella story. It felt earned.

Then came the letdown.

The SEC Championship Grit

Their SEC title game against Georgia was a war of attrition. Texas held their own for three quarters before Georgia’s depth took over. It was a loss, but one that didn’t hurt their playoff stock. The committee saw what the fans saw: a team that had gone toe-to-toe with the best.

But cracks were starting to show. The run game, so crucial all season, had grown inconsistent. The offensive line, solid against most defenses, struggled against elite pressure. And perhaps most telling, Sarkisian’s play-calling grew conservative at key moments.

Playoff Collapse

Texas drew Oregon in the semifinal. On paper, they were the better team. But Oregon’s tempo and versatility exposed Texas’ defense early. Ewers was under constant pressure. The Longhorns looked tentative — like a team waiting for a break that never came.

They lost by two scores, but the game felt further out of reach. It was a frustrating end to a season that had flirted with greatness.

What Went Wrong

The loss wasn’t about one player or one play. It was about a team that had peaked too early and didn’t adjust when things got tough. The Longhorns relied heavily on rhythm and momentum all season. When Oregon disrupted both, Texas never found Plan B.

Sarkisian deserves credit for the turnaround, but his inability to pivot mid-game cost them. And while Ewers had moments of brilliance, he wasn’t the same quarterback once defenses started forcing him off-script.

Looking Ahead

The foundation is solid. Talent is not the issue. But if Texas wants to be more than a one-year wonder, they’ll need to develop a killer instinct in big games. The SEC won’t get easier. And with the expanded playoff field in 2025, expectations will only grow.

For bettors, Texas will enter the season as a top-10 team with short odds to return to the playoff. But take last year’s ending as a reminder: hype doesn’t cash tickets — execution does.