Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is a leader. He’s already getting ahead of a potential letdown following Saturday’s crucial win over Alabama.
According to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, Ewers asked to hold a players-only meeting earlier this week as the team prepared for Wyoming. The move signals maturity and an understanding of what is at stake for the Longhorns.
After beating Alabama and vaulting into the College Football Playoff watch list, Ewers and company have something to lose. It appears they intend to get ahead of any falloff and finish the season strongly.
Many have suggested Texas could lose focus because of Saturday’s win. Few have noted the potential effect that with a playoff berth now more tangibly attainable, the Longhorns might actually tighten up their focus. If Ewers’ response to the game is any indication, that might be exactly what is happening.
Texas will have a difficulty maintaining this level of vigilance for an entire season against lesser competition, but that level of focus could open the possibility of the program’s first 12-win season since 2009.