With the CFP on Saturday, Texas fans can fill the gap between the Alamo Bowl by watching. Here is who Longhorns fans should be rooting for.
Going into the 2019 season, many thought Texas had a real shot at making the College Football Playoff. After a 7-5 season, the Longhorns are not in the playoff and are watching from the outside.
With the Alamo Bowl not happening until Dec. 31, Texas fans have to wait to watch their team play. To fill that time, they can watch the College Football Playoff semi-final games on Saturday as LSU plays Oklahoma and Ohio State squares off against Clemson.
Here is who Texas fans should be rooting for in Saturday’s semi-final games:
Peach Bowl – No. 1 LSU vs No. 4 Oklahoma
The Longhorns played both of these teams, hosting LSU in the second week of the season while playing Oklahoma in the annual Red River Shootout. They lost to both teams but played the Tigers closer than they did the Sooners. Quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are phenomenal quarterbacks that should make this game exciting.
When it comes down to who Longhorn fans should be cheering for, the answer is simple. There is no conference pride when it comes to this game, LSU is the team to root for. Not only to see arch-rival Oklahoma lose but to potentially have a non-conference matchup against the defending national champion Tigers in September next season. As Coach Ed Orgeron would say “Go Tigers.”
Who to root for: LSU
Fiesta Bowl – No. 2 Ohio State vs No. 3 Clemson
Ohio State and Clemson square off in what should be one of the best playoff games in the CFP era. Texas has never faced the Tigers, but they have had some historic matchups against the Buckeyes. In the 2005 championship season, the Longhorns traveled to Colombus for a top-five matchup early in the season. The next year, it was No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 2 Texas in Austin, but the Buckeyes won that one.
The only other matchup between the two schools also came in the Fiesta Bowl. After both missing out on conference championships, Texas and Ohio State met for a classic BCS Bowl game. The Longhorns won via a Quan Cosby touchdown in the final minute, ending the 2008 season on a high note.
Since the Longhorns have played in some fun games against the Buckeyes, they are a good team to root for. Another key reason to root for Ohio State is that Texas just hired passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich as their offensive coordinator. Go Buckeyes!
Texas and Utah are going to be energized as they will be playing on prime time television on NYE. Here are three defensive keys for Texas.
Going into this year’s Alamo Bowl, Texas and Utah have two different outlooks. Texas is happy to be in such a good bowl game after a disappointing 7-5 season, while Utah was one game away from the College Football Playoff. Despite this, both teams are going to be energized as they will be playing on prime time television on New Year’s Eve.
Losing the Pac 12 championship to Oregon, if the Utes had won that game they would of been playing in a more important game. Most of that was due to their offense success and the threatening duo of Tyler Huntley and Zach Moss. If Texas wants any chance of slowing Utah down, they need to make those two uncomfortable.
Here are three defensive keys for the Longhorns against the Utes:
Containing Zach Moss
Texas has faced some great running backs this season in Chubba Hubbard, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Pooka Williams. Utah’s running back Zach Moss may be the best of the bunch. Rushing for 1,329 yards in the Pac 12 this season, Moss led the conference in yards this season. He also led in rushing touchdowns, having 15.
Running backs have had big games against the Longhorns this season, with Oklahoma State’s Chubba Hubbard having 121 rushing yards and Kansas’ Pooka Williams having 190. If Texas is going to have someone beat them, it needs to be anyone but Moss. He has the ability to run all over defenses and the Longhorns cannot let that happen.
Force Tyler Huntley to throw an interceptions
In the Pac 12 championship against Oregon, Utah’s quarterback Tyler Huntley really struggled after having a solid season for the Utes. Only completing 58.6% of this throws, his lowest of the season. He also threw two interceptions against the Ducks, the same amount he had in the previous 12 games.
Utah is 0-4 in games that Huntley throws multiple interceptions. Texas forced multiple interceptions against Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia this season, going 3-0 in those games. It may sound simple, but if the Longhorns can make Tyler Huntley uncomfortable and throw a couple interceptions, Texas has a great chance of winning on New Year’s Eve.
Get pressure on Tyler Huntley
The way you make Huntley uncomfortable is by getting constant pressure against a solid Utah offensive line. The Utes only gave up 21 sacks this season, the second-fewest in the Pac 12. On the flip side, the Longhorns only had 22 sacks this season, the third-fewest in the Big 12. It would be an excellent time for Texas to start pressuring the quarterback well.
If they do get pressure, they must also contain Huntley, as he can easily make plays with his feet. Contain him inside the pocket, get some sacks, or force him into throws he is uncomfortable making. That would force quick, short drives by the Utah offense and let the Longhorns’ offense be as explosive as everyone knows it can be.
Texas will face Utah on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.
UNC faced off against the Temple in the Military Bowl. Coached by former UT head coach Mack Brown, they got their first bowl win since 2013.
After 15 seasons as the head coach of the Longhorns, Mack Brown was let go. Taking some time off and working as a studio analyst with ESPN, Brown was out of coaching for five years. He took the North Carolina job at the end of the 2018 season and has turned the program around.
After gaining bowl eligibility and dancing with his team in the locker room, the Tar Heels faced off against the Temple in the Military Bowl. Led by freshman quarterback Sam Howell, UNC demolished the Owls 55-13, getting their first bowl win since 2013.
After two straight seasons of nine losses in 2017 and 2018, Brown has come in and instantly changed the culture at North Carolina. With this being his second stint with the school, they are used to winning with Brown, getting 10 wins three times.
Ending the season at 7-6, the bowl win is the highlight of the Tar Heel season. The second best moment came when they nearly defeated now ACC Champions Clemson, but came up short on a two-point conversion.
UNC will be a dark horse candidate in the ACC next season and they have Mack Brown to thank for that. As Longhorns Wire’s Head Coach of the Decade, watching Brown succeed is always good to see.
Before the Winter Classic, the NHL announced that former Texas running back Ricky Williams would be dropping the ceremonial puck.
For the first time in the state of Texas, the NHL Winter Classic will take place. Playing on New Year’s Day, the Dallas Stars will be hosting the Nashville Predators. The Stars usually play their home games at the American Airlines Center but will be playing outside for the Winter Classic.
The venue will be the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, the same place where Texas faces off against Oklahoma in the annual Red River Shootout. Before the game, the National Hockey League announced that former Texas running back Ricky Williams would be dropping the ceremonial puck.
Troy Aikman and Ricky Williams will drop the ceremonial puck at this yearâs #WinterClassic!
The New Year's Day outdoor game will salute the iconic Cotton Bowl's history and Texas heritage.#GoStarshttps://t.co/thsGe95XRK
Williams played five career games at the Cotton Bowl, having a career 3-1-1 record in those games. Four of them came against Oklahoma, but the other was in the 1999 Cotton Bowl when the Longhorns played Mississippi State. He ran for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 30 attempts to secure a bowl win for Texas. Against Oklahoma, he ran for 465 yards and five touchdowns in four games.
While the stadium is nicknamed “The House that Doak Built”, Williams has put up some great performances in the Cotton Bowl. Dropping the puck before the game on New Year’s Day, Williams will help the hockey world learn about the history of the Cotton Bowl.
There have been reports that Mike Yurcich will be taking over the offense starting next season. Here is why he will be a success at Texas.
Shortly after ending the season with a win over Texas Tech, the Longhorns got rid of a few coaches and one of those was offensive coordinator Tim Beck. There was speculation of LSU’s Joe Brady and USC’s Graham Harrell taking over, but both of them seem set to stay at their respective schools. While it has not been confirmed by the school yet, there have been reports that Mike Yurcich will be taking over the offense starting next season.
Currently at Ohio State, he has spent most of his D1 coaching career as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State. Wherever he has gone, he has been apart of some electrifying offenses, producing stars at all of the skill positions. Even with his past, the question becomes: Can it translate to success at Texas? Was he the right hire for the Longhorns? While it may not be the flashiest name, Yurcich is going to have great success in Austin. Here is why.
Yurcich’s first big-time job was actually in the Big 12, spending time as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oklahoma State. Running the offense from 2013 to 2018, the Cowboys were flying on offense, averaging 38 points or more per game in every season but 2014.
One thing a Mike Yurcich offense had in his final three seasons in Stillwater was over or near a 4,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher. Mason Rudolph and Justice Hill balled out in 2016 and 2017, only behind in Oklahoma in most offensive stats. With more traditional pocket passers like Rudolph and Tayler Cornelius, the Pokes were able to sling the ball around the field.
Something else that worked well at the beginning of his time with Oklahoma State was running with the quarterback. In 2013, between Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh, the two quarterbacks ran for a total of 663 yards. Against the Longhorns in 2013, Chelf killed Texas on the ground, rushing for 95 yards on 10 attempts while adding two touchdowns. With a dual-threat quarterback like Sam Ehlinger or any of the guys behind him, running the quarterback could become a big part of the offense.
When a quarterback that can run has an elite level running back to compliment them, they become that much more dangerous. That is exactly what happened this season during Yurcich’s one season at Ohio State. While he was not the offensive coordinator, he still played a huge part in the offense as the passing game coordinator. With Justin Fields under center, J.K. Dobbins elevated his game to a whole new level.
Running the read option with those two is nearly unguardable, as you lose either way. You cover Fields, one of the best running backs in the country is getting the ball. If you cover Dobbins, the former No. 1 recruit in the country is going to blow right by you. The system ran by the Buckeyes is something Yurcich can bring over and implement in Austin.
The run game will be huge for the Longhorns next season as two of the best receivers of the decade in Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson will be leaving for the NFL. Sam Ehlinger will remain at quarterback and we have seen what he can do running the ball, having 1,453 career rushing yards in his three years. The only question will be who will be the main running back to compliment Ehlinger?
Running back was a weird position for Texas this season, using third-string quarterback Roschon Johnson with Keaontay Ingram. Ingram will be back for his junior year, but two five-star caliber running backs will also be competing for touches. After spending the 2019 season injured, Jordan Whittington is scheduled to be back next season, ready to make an impact.
Possibly an even bigger player will be five-star running back Bijan Robinson. Coming in with the 2020 class, he has the opportunity to be a player than can turn around this Longhorn program.
Past Ehlinger, players like Casey Thompson, Roschon Johnson, Hudson Card, and Ja’Quinden Jackson all will be competing for the starting job in 2021. All five of those guys are considered dual-threat quarterbacks and can continue to run a similar type of offense. With freshman running backs like Whittington and Robinson, the future is bright in the backfield.
If the same offense that Ohio State runs is implemented to this Texas team, it has a chance to become one of the best in the country. Fields and Dobbins are excellent players, making it as Heisman finalists, and it may be difficult to replicate exactly what they do. However, the Longhorns will have highly skilled guys to replicate what they are doing.
Yurcich has run different types of offenses as the offensive coordinator with Oklahoma State and as the passing game coordinator with Ohio State. Finding success in with pocket passers and dual-threat quarterbacks, no matter who Texas has under center, they will be set up for success. Getting players at running back and wide receiver to make the explosive plays is the only question.
If the Longhorns become anything like the Cowboys or Buckeyes on offense, they could push towards the level they expect to be at.
Arguably the best player in the NBA this decade, Kevin Durant was a monster throughout the 2010s. Here is your UT pro athlete of the decade.
Arguably the best player in the NBA this decade, Kevin Durant was a monster throughout the 2010s, playing with great players like Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Currently on his third team of the decade, Durant’s latest stop is in Brooklyn after also playing for Seattle/Oklahoma City and Golden State.
Playing in a two-person tandem with Westbrook, Durant took the Thunder as far as the NBA Finals in 2012 but lost to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. He never reached that stage with Oklahoma City again, making it as far as the Western Conference Finals. After blowing a 3-1 series lead in the 2016 Conference Finals to the Warriors, Durant decided that was as far he was going to make it with the Thunder, so he made a switch out West.
His move from Oklahoma City to Golden State was a controversial one, but Durant backed it up by winning. In his three seasons by the Bay, he won two championships, winning Finals MVP in both of them. His 2019 playoffs came to an end early, as he tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals. It was the only season the Warriors did not win a championship with Durant on the roster.
Winning was the only thing in Durant’s vocabulary, constantly finding himself deep in the playoffs with both the Thunder and Warriors. An All-Star in every year this decade, his dominate performances have been consistent for nearly over 10 years.
Here is your pro athlete of the decade:
Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder (2010-2016), Golden State Warriors (2016-2019), Brooklyn Nets (2019-)
Stats: 27.7 PPG, 4.7 APG, 7.4 RPG
Team achievements: NBA Champions x2 (2017, 2018)
Individual achievements: 10x NBA All-Star (2010-2019), 2x NBA Finals MVP (2017, 2018), 2x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2012, 2019), 6x All-NBA First Team (2010-2014, 2018), 3x All-NBA Second Team (2015-2017), 4x NBA Scoring Champion (2010-2012, 2014)
Best moment: Dagger three-pointers in Game 3 of the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals
For only the second time ever, Texas will be playing against Utah in the Alamo Bowl. Here is the Longhorns series history with the Utes.
For only the second time ever, Texas will be playing against Utah when the two meet in the Valero Alamo Bowl on New Year’s Eve. When they first met in 1982, Texas was a member of the Southwestern Conference, while Utah was apart of the Western Athletic Conference.
Currently with the Big 12 and the Pac 12, the Alamo Bowl is the best bowl game members from the two conferences can play in that are not New Year’s Six bowl games. With a record of 10-2, Utah if favored over the 7-5 Longhorns. Meeting in the regular season last time, this will be the most important matchup between the two schools.
Here is the Longhorns series history with the Utes:
All-time series history: Texas leads 1-0-0
Largest wins: Texas 21-12 in 1982
Latest Texas win: Sept. 18, 1982
The Longhorns began their 1982 season with a home game against Utah. Ranked No. 18 at the time, Head Coach Fred Akers was beginning his sixth season in charge of Texas. In a low scoring affair, both teams dominated running the ball, going for a combined 536 yards on the ground. Neither team threw the ball effectively, with the Longhorns having 28 yards and the Utes having 82.
Darryl Clark gained most of the yards on the ground for Texas, rushing for 162 yards on 20 attempts. He did not find the endzone though, as Terry Orr scored two of the three touchdowns on the ground. Orr added 61 yards and was the second-leading rusher for the Longhorns. Carl Robinson punched in the other score on one of his three rushing attempts.
Utah struggled to find the end zone all game, not scoring until nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Two Longhorn touchdowns sandwiched two Ute field goals to make it 14-6. Utah finally broke into the endzone but failed to convert the two-point conversion, making it 14-12. Texas put the game on ice late in the fourth quarter with Robinson’s touchdown, winning 21-12.
Latest Utah win: No wins in the series
The Longhorns will play Utah on New Year’s Eve at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.
Bowl season is here and the Big 12 has sent six different teams bowling this year. Here is the bowl schedule for the rest of the Big 12.
Bowl season is finally upon us and the Big 12 has sent six different teams bowling this year. Going 4-3 last season, the conference will look to improve on that record. Playing in the New Year’s Six bowl games, the Big 12 went 1-1, with Texas winning the Sugar Bowl against Georgia and Oklahoma and losing in the Orange Bowl to Alabama.
Oklahoma State, TCU, and Baylor were the other three teams to take care of business last season. This season, TCU and West Virginia do not get back to a bowl game, while Kansas State joins in for the first time since 2017. Baylor will be in the Sugar Bowl, while Oklahoma once again represents the conference in the College Football Playoff.
Here is the bowl schedule for the rest of the Big 12:
Ohio State PGC Mike Yurcich was the top candidate for the Longhorns’ OC position and now he will be named to the position next week.
After reporting that Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich was the top candidate for the Longhorns’ offensive coordinator position, Brett McMurphy is now reporting that he will be named to the position next week. Currently at the Fiesta Bowl for the College Football Playoff with Ohio State, Yurcich would not comment on the position and said his focus is “100% on Clemson.”
Ohio State passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich, the top candidate for Texas OC job, expected to be named Hornsâ OC next week, sources told @Stadium. At Thursdayâs @Fiesta_Bowl availability, Yurcich wouldnât comment on Texas & told me his âfocus is 100 percent on Clemson.â
Demoting Tim Beck at the end of the season, Texas will be without an offensive coordinator during their bowl game against Utah. If the Buckeyes beat Clemson, it is not known if Yurcich will stay with the team during preparation for the national championship.
Ohio State’s passing game has been one of the best in the country this season, with quarterback Justin Fields traveling to New York City for the Heisman ceremony. Currently at 2,953 passing yards, Fields is a dual-threat quarterback as he also has 471 rushing yards. A total of 50 touchdowns, Yurcich will be dealing with another dual-threat quarterback in Sam Ehlinger.
While it may have been a rough decade for the Longhorns, there still was some good moments. Here are the top five moments of the decade.
While it may have been a rough decade for the Longhorns as far as the win column goes, there still was some good moments for Texas. Picking up wins against Oklahoma, top 10 opponents, in some bowl games, and ending a rivalry on a high note, even during the lowest time of the program’s history, they have produced some magic.
Having three coaches since 2010, Mack Brown, Charlie Strong, and Tom Herman have each been in charge for at least three years. Brown was fired after the 2013 season, marking the end of a 15 year period for Texas. Strong got three years from 2014-2016, but all three seasons ended in seven losses. Tom Herman has returned Texas to a bowl game in all three years in charge, but still has some work to do.
Texas has had a mix of success and failure throughout the 2010s, but the moments have no doubt made fans believe they can return to the level they should be at. Here are the top five moments of the decade for the Longhorns:
