Staff Roundtable: Can Texas get the win against A&M with an injured Quinn Ewers?

It’s probably the most anticipated College Football game of the 2024 season: the resumption of the rivalry between Texas Longhorns and that Texas A&M Aggies. What was your favorite Lone Star Showdown moment?

Daniel Søhorn (@DanielSeahorn) – Run Ricky Run and Justin Tucker walking off are the two moments that immediately stand out to me. Ricky Williams in beast mode in Austin is one of my earliest memories of this rivalry from my childhood, while the kick from Tucker has been etched into my memory since it happened over a decade ago.

Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – It’s really easy to say Justin Tucker’s field goal to win the last time they played, and I’ll never blame anybody for saying that, but I think the drive that set it up – and specifically Case McCoy struggling to put them in the field goal area. The feeling of the air slowly coming out as people realized that once Case got them into Tucker’s reach, it was all academic at that point.

Cameron Parker (@cameronparker) – The Case McCoy game that set up Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal. You could barely recognize the name and number on the back of his jersey by the end of the night because of the beatings he took. But Texas won’t win that game without his heart.

Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – 2009 was probably one of my favorite games. It felt like an all-time classic right there in the moment. Undefeated Texas against a mediocre Aggie team, but the magic of this game kept it close. Colt McCoy went absolutely nuts. I’ll never forget the 65-yard tumble. Not to mention, Marquise Goodwin, one of my all-time favorite Longhorns, delivered the knockout blow.

Is Texas a “lock” for the College Football Playoff no matter what happens on Saturday?

Daniel – I wouldn’t call them a lock, but I think the chaos that occurred last weekend definitely helped their chances of getting in there, regardless of what happens on Saturday. I have a hard time seeing the committee leaving out a 10-2 Texas team if things don’t go well in College Station.

Gerald – I don’t think so, especially since an unlikely blowout means Texas has been soundly beaten by the two teams of equal talent they’ve played. I think it will be hard to keep a 10-2 Texas team out in any other context, but that specific result would be a big argument for keeping the Horns on the outside.

Cameron – I think they would be in a pretty good place to reach the playoffs, but would lose home court advantage.

Jacob – No. Too much can still happen. In many scenarios, Texas is in, but one more embarrassing loss combined with the right dominoes elsewhere and the committee can keep the Longhorns out.

What worries you more heading into College Station: Quinn Ewers’ ankle or the fumble issues?

Daniel – Ewers’ ankle injury for sure because he plays the most important position on the pitch and the last thing you want is for him to be a sitting duck at the back against a formidable front four.

Gerald – I think it has to be the ankle because it determines so much of what the offense can do. If Ewers can’t relax the defense and get the elite linemen that A&M has on their heels, things will be significantly more difficult for the Texas offense.

Cameron – Quinn’s ankle. The fumbling issues will likely rear their heads and a critical moment later this season, but Texas needs Ewers to win this game. I think a key cog in Sark’s game plan will be attacking A&M with short and intermediate throws, which Quinn was able to pull off after the injury against Kentucky. What scares me is if the Aggies’ pass rush starts to heat up and Quinn is constantly getting hit. Texas can’t afford to live in 2nd and longer situations in this game.

Jacob – I agree with Gerald. The offense goes as no. 3 do. With the ankle, I’m more worried about what it’s doing to Quinn mentally. He is at his best when he stays calm and mobile in the pocket. A bum ankle has the potential to make him, or any other QB for that matter, mad in the pocket. For any throw down the field, he needs good footwork, and that’s hard to do when you’re mad or relying on only one good ankle.

Texas beats Texas A&M if…

Daniel – They remain composed and play a disciplined game in a hostile environment. Emotions will be very high in this game and staying within yourself will be one of the biggest challenges. On paper, I think Texas is the better team, but this game isn’t played on paper, it’s played on grass.

Gerald – The defense plays sound assignment football, which limits Marcel Reed’s ability to hustle them in the zone-read game.

Cameron – Texas beats A&M as long as they don’t beat themselves. Texas sailed against Kentucky, and what happened? They started putting the ball on the ground and all of a sudden it was a game. The Aggies are a good football team, but with a lack of depth at running back and a freshman at quarterback, Texas can play their game and win this one.

Jacob – the offense restricts turnover. Giving A&M extra possessions with a short field will be one of the few ways they can score. Texas needs to hang on to the ball.

What is your score prediction for Texas (-6) vs. Texas A&M?

Daniel (10-1/5-6 ATS) – Texas 28, Texas A&M 24

Gerald (10-1/4-6 ATS) – Texas 35, Texas A&M 17

Cameron (10-1/5-6 ATS) – Texas 27, Texas A&M 24

Jacob (10-1/5-6) – Texas 31, Texas A&M 21