CFB Plus: Eyes of Texas are twinkling
Are they back?
And will they remain there?
Those are just two of the questions which popped up late on Saturday night as he University of Texas completed a 34-24 victory over Alabama.
There was nothing fluky about this victory folks. From the start to the finish, UT was the better team and arguably, the better coached, prepared team, which is a vote of confidence Texas coach Steve Sarkasian has not heard very often the past few years.
Here's the good news for Texas.
The Longhorns should be favored in every game they play the remainder of what will be their final season in the Big 12.
Oh, there will be challenges---Oklahoma is gathering strength for its annual Red River rivalry next month against the Longhorns and there could be few pot holes in Big 12 road games.
But if Texas plays the way it did against Alabama, the Long Horns should be penciled in to a Final Four semifinal CFP bowl slot in either the Rose or Sugar Bowl on January 1.
The key reason for the Texas victory was the precise passes of quarterback Quinn Ewers (349 yards, 3TDS, 24 of 38) who has spent the past 9 months looking over his shoulder at the presence of super recruit, Arch Manning, who came to Texas in January.
That's a non-story right now, since Manning is more likely headed for a redshirt season and Ewers has established himself as the leader of a team tat has legitimate national championship aspirations.
The irony of all of this is that if Texas had LOST to Alabama, the Longhorns would be in the discard pile of contenders right now, and Sarkasian's job security would be an issue.
Remarkably, the loss was not even a serious setback to Alabama's quest to step back in the national championship picture.
Such is the power and mystique of the Southeastern Conference, that if Alabama wins the rest of its games--which would presumably be a victory over two-time defending national champion Georgia, the 'tide would be a lock for a Final Four bid.
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Who's Hot
Texas--See Above.
USC. The Trojans have played all three of their games in late night, low profile West Coast settings. They are 3-0, which includes Saturday's 56-10 romp past Stanford.
They have a week off and then a road game at Arizona State, which should not be a problem and then what looms like a monster, a meeting in Boulder, Colorado with Prime Time and his guys from the University of Colorado.
Miami--The Hurricanes had their "Alabama'' game against Texas AM-needing to win this home game to maintain their credibility. They did so and then some, posting a solid 48-33 win over the Aggies. They may be for real.
Who's Not
Texas Tech--Los\e to Wyoming on the road while blowing a lead is bad, but then losing to Oregon at home and also losing the lead?
Baylor--The Bears were stunned by Texas State in their opener, so a 20-13 loss to a Top 20 team such as Utah is not unexpected, but again, losing at home and in the final minute makes this 0-2 start more difficult to accept.
Nebraska--No relief in sight after losing to Colorado , 36-14.
Just wondering
Tough day for football in the state of Delaware. Army beats Delaware State 57-0, while Penn State clobbers Delaware 63-7. Northwestern 41, UTEP 6
First gamer losers bounce back--Clemson 66 Charleston Southern 17, TCU 41, Nicholls State 6k LSU 72, Grambling State 7. Florida 49, McNeese State 7
FCS party--Fordham beats Buffalo, 40-37
Play it Forward
Games of interest next week (sparse week)
Tennessee at Florida--What used to be THE match up in SEC East.