Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian believes his Longhorns have the depth and leadership, led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, to make a run at the College Football Playoff.
In the quest for a national championship, depth and leadership are indispensable qualities, and the University of Texas boasts both in abundance this season. Led by the experienced arm of quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns enter Saturday's pivotal clash with No. 10 Michigan as a formidable challenger for the College Football Playoff.
Coach Steve Sarkisian is bullish about his team's potential, citing the growth and maturity of his players over the past few years. "We've got great leadership, but I also think we've got great depth," Sarkisian said. "The one thing about this year's team is that we definitely have more depth than we've had in any of our other years."
Texas Eyes National Title Contention with Depth, Ewers' Leadership
Texas' depth is reflected in its talent rankings, where it ranks sixth in the nation according to 247 Sports' talent composite. The team also secured the fifth-best transfer portal class this offseason, with players like receiver Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond making an immediate impact.
Ewers, who chose to return to Austin instead of entering the NFL Draft, has embraced his leadership role and is seamlessly connecting with his new receivers. In the season opener against Colorado State, Ewers threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing the Longhorns' offensive explosiveness and efficiency.
"What I liked about the way we played Saturday was the efficiency we played with offensively," Sarkisian said. "We showed the explosiveness, we showed the speed in space. We showed the physicality that we'd like to play with."
The challenge for Texas intensifies this week as they face Michigan, the reigning national champions, on the road. The Wolverines have undergone significant change this offseason, with Sherrone Moore taking over as head coach and J.J. McCarthy leaving for the NFL, creating question marks at quarterback.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Michigan's new faces, Sarkisian remains excited for the challenge. "This is a great program," Sarkisian said. "As much as it is about this current team they have, it's about the program and the development that they've done."
With the depth, leadership, and talent at their disposal, the Longhorns believe they have the ingredients to make a deep run into the postseason. A victory over Michigan would be a resounding statement that Texas is a team to be reckoned with this season.
"We kicked off on Aug. 31 and we're hoping to play on Jan. 20," Sarkisian said. "So, we're going to need all the depth that we have."
As the Longhorns prepare for their pivotal showdown, they are confident in their potential and determined to prove that they are ready to compete for the ultimate prize.
