The Locked on Longhorns Podcast discusses the big win over UTEP on Saturday. Plus Texas’ latest FPI rankings and B.J. Foster.
The Locked on Longhorns Podcast returns for a victory Monday following a 59-3 victory over the UTEP Miners. Sam Ehlinger got off to a hot start in this one from the first play. He found Joshua Moore on a 78-yard catch and run to get the party started for the Texas offense. In his first game with Mike Yurcich calling the plays, Sam set career highs in yards and touchdowns in one half. How much better can Ehlinger be in 2020?
ESPN updated their FPI and win probabilities. How high is the ceiling for the Texas Longhorns in 2020? In a look around the Big 12, how did the four winning teams look? What is going on in Lubbock as the Red Raiders squeaked out a win. The Sun Belt was anything but a Fun Belt as they defeated three Big 12 teams on Saturday. How much did the losses hurt Iowa State and Kansas State?
An update on B.J. Foster prior to Tom Herman meeting with the media. The duo go through the Foster timeline from Saturday to Monday morning. Most of the Big 12 Conference will be on a bye week. Baylor and Oklahoma State will open their seasons after COVID-19 cases ruined their opportunity to start on time.
Ever since Colt McCoy left Texas in 2009 consistent play from their quarterback has lacked. Sam Ehlinger has been the guy starting in 2017.
Ever since Colt McCoy left the 40 acres at the end of the 2009 season, one thing has been lacking for Texas. Consistent play from their quarterback. Starting last season for the Longhorns, Sam Ehlinger has been the guy, taking over the signal calling for the offense under Tom Herman.
While he split snaps with Shane Buechele in his freshman season, Ehlinger won the starting job before the opening game against Maryland in 2018. From that point on, Texas has been ride or die with Ehlinger, with him starting in all 26 games played over the last two seasons.
His sophomore season was his best, leading Texas to their first 10 win season since the 2009 National Championship season. He also took Texas as far as the Sugar Bowl, getting a crucial victory against Georgia to end the season. That year only had their first Big 12 championship appearance since the 2009 win against Nebraska.
Other quarterbacks in the 2010s included Garrett Gilbert, David Ash, Case McCoy, Tyrone Swoopes, Jerrod Heard, and Shane Buechele. The only one of those who comes relatively close to what Ehlinger has done for this program is Buechele. Even then, it is not close, with the junior quarterback from Austin getting the nod as the best quarterback to play for Texas this decade.
Best game: vs Oklahoma, 2018. 24-35 with 314 yards, two passing touchdowns, no interceptions. 19 rushing attempts for 72 yards and three rushing touchdowns
Best moment: Second touchdown run against Oklahoma in 2018
Accomplishments: 2019 Sugar Bowl MVP
More than likely coming back for his senior season, Ehlinger has made a huge impact on Texas in his first three. He is already up there statistically with the all-time UT quarterback greats like Vince Young, Colt McCoy, and Major Applewhite, but is just missing one thing. Some form of championship. Ehlinger brought the Longhorns close in 2018 with a Big 12 championship appearance but will need to win one to cement himself as a Longhorn legend.
