No. 2 Texas Longhorns 19, No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs 22
A hard, painful loss in Atlanta. A game lost. A championship lost. An opportunity to make history lost. Tough to win with 3 turnovers and 11 penalties and giving up 15 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. The penalties and tackles for loss accounted for 144 yards going the wrong direction. Most frustrating for the coaches and players had to have been getting only 6 first half points after a magnificent offensive performance of 260 yards and a stellar defensive effort, allowing Georgia only 54 yards and 3 points. Quinn Ewers had a very good game, despite what some lesser pundits and observers may think. 358 yards passing, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt and 13.26 yards per completion. Golden with 8 catches for 162 yards, Moore with 9 catches for 114 yards. A Bulldog offense that was averaging 297 passing yards per game was held to 136 yards. Lots of great effort and performances, and disappointing to come up short. But this team, as has been the case all year, never quit. Everyone continued to battle. Helluva season. Love this football team. Let’s go win a national championship.
No. 16 Clemson Tigers vs. No. 3 Texas Longhorns
December 21, 2024. 3:00 p.m. in Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. The Texas Longhorns and Clemson Tigers will meet for the first time. A rematch of Southlake Carroll’s Quinn Ewers and Westlake’s Cade Klubnik, the quarterbacks in the 2020 state title game. Texas opened as a 10.5 point favorite. Line early Friday morning is Texas minus 11. Will be interesting to see where it is next Friday morning. Clemson is pretty good, one of the better teams in college football the last few years, with 8 ACC Championships in the last 10 years and National Championships in 2016 and 2018. Dabo Sweeney is one of the top 5 coaches in the country. This will be a hard fought game. Full preview coming next week in the 18th edition of The Austin Horns Fan Dispatch for the 2024 season.
College Football Playoffs
The first ever 12-team FBS College Football Playoff is here. I could not be more excited. I have been an advocate for the 12-team format for years. It rewards the regular season and conference champions while opening up the system from a playoff (2 teams in the BCS, 4 in the prior iteration of the CFP) to a small field tournament with 11 games being played instead of 3. I would be really happy if Texas had won and earned the first round bye, but still overjoyed for this season and the opportunity to be one of three Southeastern Conference teams in the field of 12. Going to be so much fun.
Here are the first round games and the quarterfinals:
The Rose Bowl winner and Peach Bowl winner (Texas) meet in the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 10 at 6:30 p.m. ESPN from Jerry World in Arlington.
The Fiesta Bowl winner and Sugar Bowl winner meet in the Orange Bowl on January 9 at 6:30 p.m. ESPN.
The National Championship will be back in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz on January 20.
Texas Longhorns
A big week for the Longhorns, especially Kelvin Banks, Jr., who wins the Lombardi Award (best lineman) and the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman). Huge. Banks is the fourth Longhorn, but first offensive lineman, to get the Lombardi. Kenneth Sims (1981), Tony Degrate (1984), and Brian Orakpo (2008. Banks makes it back-to-back years for the Outland after T’Vondre Sweat winning it in 2023. He joins Longhorn legends Scott Appleton (1963), Tommy Nobis (1965, offensive guard – back when the men were 2-way players), and Brad Shearer (1977).
Jahdae Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back. Barron joins Michael Huff (2005) and Aaron Ross (2006). DBU baby.
The University of Texas System
On November 21, the Board of Regents announced a plan that will allow tuition-free education to any undergraduates (all 9 institutions) from families with AGI that is $100,000 or less. This is an incredible step to ensure access to the best education possible for every Texan.
Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the Board of Regents, described today’s action as one of the most meaningful and rewarding actions the Regents would ever undertake during their terms. “To be in a position to make sure our students can attend a UT institution without accruing more debt is very important to all of us, and as long as we are here, we will continue our work to provide an affordable, accessible education to all who choose to attend a UT institution,” he said.
“By making both immediate campus allocations as we did today, as well as continued long-term investments in our Promise Plus endowments, we want hard-working Texas families and students to know that we will do everything in our power to support their higher education aspirations today and always,” added Eltife.
UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken expressed gratitude to the UT Regents for their commitment to Texas students – both now and over the long-term.
“What is particularly gratifying to me, and to UT presidents, is that the Regents are not only addressing immediate needs of our current students, but they are taking the long view, ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from this remarkable program,” Milliken said. “Across UT institutions, enrollment is growing, and student debt is declining, indicating success in both access and affordability. That’s a rare trend in American higher education, and I’m proud the UT System is in a position to be a leader.”
Happy Birthday Lottie!
Papa loves you!
The Army-Navy Game
Navy Midshipmen (8-3) vs. No. 22 Army Black Knights (11-1). 2:00 p.m. Saturday on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Thousands of soldiers and sailors around the world will be watching and listening. So will I. Army favored by 6.5 points. Moneylines: Army minus 270, Navy plus 220. Over/under is 39.5,
The 125th game in one of college football’s greatest rivalries and greatest games. A very cool 90 seconds on the game.
https://x.com/CBSSportsCFB/status/1866135887794393227
Navy leads the series 62-55-7. Navy won 14 straight from 2002 to 2015. Since 2016, Army has won 6 of the last 8.
BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Army | Navy | .682 | 639 | 31.9 | 25.0 | 57.0 |
ESPN Matchup Predictor:
College Football Insiders:
Army quarterback Bryson Daily is one of the best football players in the country. Daily is number one in the country in scoring at 15.8 points per game. Daily is 4th in the nation in rushing, averaging 134.55 yards per game. He’s tied with Ahston Jeanty for first in rushing touchdowns with 29. He’s fifth in attempts with 264 – he runs the ball 24 times per game. He’s 10th in the country in yards from scrimmage – with no receiving yards. The only player in the top 30 like that. A special young man. From Abernathy, Texas.
On the Navy side, their quarterback, Blake Horvath, is having a heck of year. 30th in the nation in rushing, 89.5 ypg, with 15 rushing touchdowns.
The Statistics
Offense
Statistic |
Navy |
Army |
| Rushing Offense | #8 – 247.4 ypg | #1 – 314.4 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #132 – 128.2 ypg | #134 – 83.2 ypg |
| Total Offense | #80 – 375.6 ypg | #56 – 397.6 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #35 – 32.3 ppg | #32 – 32.9 ppg |
| First Downs | #117 – 17.7/game | #61 – 21.1/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #92 – 37.78% | #4 – 50.35% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #32 – 61.9%, 13/21 | #6 – 75.76%, 25/33 |
| Red Zone Offense | #60 – 85.7% / 80% | #13 – 91.8% / 77.6% |
Army averages 5.71 yards per rush, Navy 5.38. Army has scored 44 rushing touchdowns, Navy 33.
Also worth noting, for purposes of their passing offense, that there are 134 teams in FBS.
Defense
Statistic |
Navy |
Army |
| Rushing Defense | #85 – 159.8 ypg | #11 – 104.0 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #71 – 220.6 ypg | #34 – 193.9 ypg |
| Total Defense | #79 – 380.4 ypg | #10 – 297.9 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #51 – 23.2 ppg | #7 – 15.0 ppg |
| First Downs Allowed | #60 – 19.6/game | #17 – 16.9/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #82 – 40.38% | #87 – 41.3% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #29 – 45.16%, 14/31 | #24 – 44.44%, 16/36 |
| Red Zone Defense | #3 – 70.0% / 55.0% | #1 – 54.6% / 45.5% |
Other
Statistic |
Navy |
Army |
| Turnovers | #38 – 14 8F, 6I | #1 – 5 4F, 1I |
| Turnover Margin | #32 – 20:14 +6 | #6 – 19:5 +14 |
| Penalties | #16 – 57, 475 yards | #3 – 43, 421 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
I don’t think I have ever done my stats for a game in which the Longhorns were not playing, but as you have probably gathered over the last few years, I am deeply interested in our military academies and their athletic teams. Good article:
Inside Army-Navy – A day in the life of students at the service academies – ESPN
Army is an exceptional football team. Their only loss in 2024 is to Notre Dame, and their only close game of the year was a couple of weeks ago with UTSA, which the Black Knights won 29-24.
Navy started off the season hot, winning 6 in a row, including a 56-44 win over Memphis, who are pretty good. Then, like Army, they ran into Notre Dame and got beat soundly (51-14). As often happens when you spend a weekend with the Irish, your hangover is a doozy. The next week Navy lost to Rice 24-10. Of course, it was in Houston with that mighty Rice Owl homefield advantage. No. 22 Tulane shut them out 35-0 (Army beat Tulane 35-14 in the American Athletic Conference championship game).
I think the Black Knights continue their current 2 game streak over the Midshipmen.
Army 35, Navy 10.
An historic rivalry. Army, a mid-20th century powerhouse.
Army’s Heisman Trophy winners: Doc Blanchard (1945), Glenn Davis (1946), and Pete Dawkins (1958).
Navy’s Heisman Trophy winners: Joe Bellino (1960) and Roger Staubach (1963).
One of the cool things about the game is that each team has special uniforms. This year, Army will be wearing uniforms that honor the 101st Airborne Division as we observe the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and the Screaming Eagles’ defense of Bastogne. The German counteroffensive began December 16, 1944.
https://x.com/ArmyWP_Football/status/1858571434135831025
Battle of the Bulge | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans
My late uncle Bill Cieply fought in Patton’s Third Army. All my life he told me it was the coldest he ever was, and that after that, he promised himself he would never live anywhere cold again. Another one of my heroes and mentors, Frank Denius also fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded and was awarded his second Purple Heart.
Navy is honoring the Jolly Rogers Squadron. The first was Fighter Squadron 61 (FV-61), established January 1, 1943, at NAS Norfolk, flying F4U-1 Corsairs. Later in WW2, the Jolly Rogers flew F6-F-5 Hellcats off the USS Hornet. Postwar, Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103)
https://x.com/NavyFB/status/1859288345064460404
Also, each Navy player wears a patch on his uniform.
Navy Football Patch List for the Army-Navy Game – Naval Academy Athletics
Army Official Game Notes:
Army 2024 Game Notes vs. Navy_ Army West Point
Navy Official Game Notes:
2024 FB 12-14 Army Notes Pack – Naval Academy Athletics
Texas Longhorns
No. 2 Texas Longhorns 19, No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs 22
A few thoughts about the loss, but the biggest concern is just the dadgum miscues. You probably scrolled quickly through the Army-Navy preview and skipped the stats. Go back and look at Army: No. 1 in the nation with just 5 turnovers (only 1 interception, but admittedly when you throw the ball as rarely as Army, this is about right). No. 3 in penalties with 43. Texas is No. 107 with 85 penalties. Of the 11 Texas penalties in Atlanta, it is very arguable that a few of them in the first half resulted in failed drives and failure to get points. Another issue was special teams, which contributed to especially bad field position on the first 2 possessions.
The defense was great. The Longhorn defense did everything they needed to do for Texas to win the game.
A quick look at the first half offense, because Texas could have and should have won the game in the first thirty minutes. Despite some of my critique, when I rewatched most of the game, I was blown away by some of the catches our guys made, particularly in the first half (and especially Golden and Boldin).
First drive gets to the Georgia 41 and ends with an interception. It started on the Texas 11.
Second drive starts on the Texas 13, Ewers gets Texas to the UGA 21 (the 50 yard beauty to Golden and a 22 yarder to Bond in the mix). Next play, offensive pass interference. Didn’t like the call, but it was probably fair. Texas goes back to the UGA 36, ends up third and 27, gets 3 points. 7 was a reasonable expectation with 1st and 10 at the Georgia 31.
Third drive (started on the UT 20), Wisner ran okay, Ewers with a good pass to Golden for 32 yards to the UGA 37. Texas converts a 4th and 1 at the UGA 28. First and 10, and next play, Bond called for holding. Then a sack, a TFL, and it is third and 26 at the Georgia 41. 17 yards to Moore salvages points as Auburn connects from 42. 6-0 Texas, but again, 7 was reasonably within reach.
Next drive, we get to the Georgia 19 and Auburn on to kick. Hits it, but false start, missing the 42 yarder. Another drive where 7 was reasonable, had to get 3, came up empty.
Fifth and final first half possession was the only one where Texas didn’t get into Georgia territory. But Ewers was moving the Horns, and Texas had a first and 10 at the UT 41. Cam Williams holding, ended up third and 22. Punt.
Texas could have had 28 points, should have had 17 or 21 points, and at a bare minimum should have scored 12 points. It would ultimately decide the game.
The blocking and success of the Georgia defense was a huge factor. Justin Nash’s analysis: “Tre Wisner carried the ball 19 times vs Georgia in the SEC championship game…10-11 of those carries he was contacted at or behind the LOS.”
https://x.com/NashTalksTexas/status/1865909465519677665
Texas third quarter woes continue, as the Horns got zero points and allowed the Bulldogs to get 10. On the season, Texas has averaged 19.9 first half points, while surrendering 5 points. In the third quarter, Texas is averaging 6.3 points and giving up 3.9. However, over the last 6 games, this is our third quarter history:
- Vandy 7, Texas 3
- Florida 10, Texas 7
- Arkansas 7, Texas 3
- Kentucky 7, Texas 0
- Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 7, Texas 0
- Georgia 10, Texas 0.
We have one third quarter touchdown since October 20 (that was when we scored 15 against Georgia to get back in the game). We have scored a total of 20 third quarter points in 6 games since.
Per CJ Vogel, Texas ran 14 plays inside the Georgia 25. 2 run plays for 10 yards, 10 pass plays for zero yards, and 2 penalties for minus 25 yards. Negative 15 yards on 14 plays.
I really don’t get it. But I know this, for Texas to make a run in the playoffs, Coach Sarkisian and the staff have to fix the third quarter, fix the red zone/plus territory, have to get some discipline (we can do it; e.g., Texas had 2 penalties for 15 yards in Fayetteville), and the offensive line needs to play up to what I believe they are capable, which is a lot better than the last few games. Better line play must also translate into a better run game.
Officiating. Texas had incredibly huge calls go against them, and Sark was rightfully indignant at halftime. I think 2 or 3 were terrible, 2 or 3 more could have just as easily not been called. But in the end, the penalties, whether correct or not, impacted and changed the outcome of the game.
Finally, back to Quinn Ewers. Per CJ Vogel, in the 12 games before Atlanta, Texas wide receivers and tight ends dropped 10 passes. Against Georgia last Saturday, they dropped 6. Quinn Ewers, didn’t lose the game. To the contrary, Quinn Ewers gave us every chance to win. He was the highest graded Longhorn in the game per PFF, at 86. His highest of the season.
Do I think Arch should maybe play more? Of course. He is, we believe, an extraordinary athletic talent. Do I think Arch should start against Clemson? No. Quinn Ewers helped lead Texas back. He is 19-4 over the last 2 seasons with 1 conference championship, another conference championship game, and two college football playoff appearances. In the last 2 years, he has passed for 47 touchdowns (15 picks), and is completing about 67.8% of his passes. I love Arch Manning. I can’t wait until next season. But QTE is QB1, and this is his team, and this is his chance to win a title. Quinn Ewers has earned this opportunity. Give him the car keys, and let’s go all gas, no brakes.
Highlights from ESPN College Football, a little over 19 minutes
Every play in 72 minutes from @TexasClips:
Final College Football Playoff Rankings
Not that the rest of these matter that much, but here are the final regular season rankings and positions.
AP Top 25 & Coaches Poll
Massey Ratings
Oregon, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Penn State, Indiana, Alabama, Southern Methodist, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Ole Miss are the top 12.
College Football Insiders
ESPN College Football Power Index
ESPN’s analytics have Texas with a 40% chance of making the national championship game and a 23.9% chance of winning it all. Next, in order are Notre Dame (15.9%), Georgia (15.8%), Ohio State (11.8%), Oregon (9.9%), and PSU (8.7%). Clemson given a 4% chance of making the national championship game
2024 College Football Power Index – ESPN
ESPN SP+ from Bill Connelly
As these analytical methods emphasizes, special teams are really hurting Texas. Banks needs to fix this. If he can’t, perhaps we need change.
Championship Weekend
Big Ten: No. 1 Oregon Ducks 45, No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions 37. PSU gave them a better game than I thought they would.
ACC: No. 17 Clemson Tigers 34, No. 8 Southern Methodist Mustangs 31. Hard-fought, good football game. Klubnik 24/41 for 262 yards and 4 touchdowns, Jennings 31/50 for 304 yards and 3 TDs, 1 interception; he also ran a score. Clemson’s Bryant Wesco, Jr. caught 8 passes for 143 yards and 2 scores. Some former Mustangs in Charlotte for the game.
Conference USA: Jacksonville State Gamecocks hammered the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky, 52-12. J-State easily covered the 5 point line.
Mountain West: No. 20 UNLV (10-2) vs. No. 10 Boise State 27-1 over No. 20 UNLV. Broncos covered the 4 point line.
American: No. 14 Army Black Knights 35-14 victorious over Tulane. Tulane was favored by 5. Army’s first ever conference championship.
Big 12: No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils beat No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones 45-19, as ASU wins the Big 12 in their first year in the conference. I believe they were picked to finish last. Good coach. Great player in Cam Skattebo. Skattebo rushed for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns and caught 2 passes for 19 yards a score. I expect I will be writing about ASU more in a couple of weeks. Sun Devils cover the 2 point line.
MAC: The Ohio Bobcats easy winners over the Miami Redhawks 38.3. Redhawks were favored by 2, and CFI projected Miami to win by 0.02 of a point. Wasn’t close at all. Bummer Jimmy U!
Sun Belt: Marshall Thundering Herd 31-3 upset winners over Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff was hired by Southern Miss, and the next day 25 Marshall players were in the portal.
Texas Longhorns Basketball
The Longhorns had a rough first half on Sunday against defending National Champion Connecticut (42-21), and despite a great second half rally, fell to the Huskies 76-65. It was the Texas Longhorns first loss in The Moody Center. Texas had a solid 91-67 win over New Mexico State Thursday night. Horns have Arkansas – Pine Bluff on Sunday at the Moody, 2:00 p.m., and New Orleans next Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 Texas Longhorns Volleyball
The Longhorns swept No. 19 Southern Cal last Friday to advance to the Regionals. Texas plays No. 6 Creighton at noon on Friday (ESPN2). If they win, they will play the winner of Penn State/Marquette Sunday night at 7:30 on ESPN.
Texas Longhorns Football
All-SEC team honors
First Team:
- Kelvin Banks, Jr.
- Jahdae Barron
That is it on the first team. One defensive player from the best defense in the Conference.
Second Team:
- Quinn Ewers
- Gunnar Helm
- Anthony Hill, Jr.
Second Team:
- Quintrevion Wisner
- Andrew Mukuba
PFF got it right. Michael Taafe is first team All-American safety.
Texas One
The Texas One Fund is the official NIL collective that supports The University of Texas athletics. Texas One provides opportunities to Longhorns use their name, image, and likeness to promote charitable causes. Contributions to Texas One now count toward your Longhorn Foundation loyalty points. Support Texas One and NIL for Longhorns.
Bowl Season
Saturday December 14
Lots of football for the next few weeks.
Jackson State Tigers (11-2) vs. South Carolina State (9-2), 11:00 a.m. on ABC, in the Celebration Bowl. SC State Bulldogs favored by 2.5. Playing in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Busy place.
South Alabama (6-6) vs. Western Michigan (6-6), 8:00 p.m. on ESPN, the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. Jaguars favored by 8.5.
Tuesday December 17
No. 25 Memphis (10-2) vs. West Virginia (6-6) in the Frisco Bowl. 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. Tigers favored by 4.5.
Wednesday December 18
Western Kentucky (8-5) vs. James Madison (8-4), the Boca Raton Bowl. 4:30 p.m. on ESPN. Dukes favored by 9.5 over the Hilltoppers.
Cal Berkley (6-6) vs. No. 24 UNLV (10-3) in the Art of Sport LA Bowl, 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. Golden Bears 1.5 point favorites.
Thursday December 19
Georgia Southern (8-4) vs. Sam Houston (9-3), in the New Orleans Bowl, 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Eagles favored by 6.
Not really sure how the bookies set the odds for games when they don’t know who’s playing.
Jim Nicar
“Some fall color is reflected in the UT Austin turtle pond. The Biological Labs building in the back opened in 1925 and will turn 100 years old next year.”
The turtle pond was one of our favorite places to take the kids when they were little. A special spot on The Forty Acres.
From Jim’s Post on December 8, 2024.
Follow Jim on X
Picture of the Week
From JType’s Instagram post on December 10, 2024.
God Bless Texas
God Bless America
Dios y Tejas,
Tim Taylor
Member, Football Writers Association of America
Member, The Maxwell Football Club
Tailgating before Home Football Games
The Juan Heisman Tailgate
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall
HOOK EM HORNS!
The Austin Horns Fan Dispatch
Vol. XXI, No. 17
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2024. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
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