No. 3 Texas Longhorns 17, No. 20 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical Aggies 7
77-37-5. If I live to be a 104 and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical wins every single game against The University of Texas for the rest of my life, they will tie us. I hope I live to 105, and I bet we will still have a 30+ game edge in the series.
What a night in College Station. A win for the ages as the Rivalry Renewed unsurprisingly played out as Rivalry Replayed. Quintrevion Wisner, the offensive line, Quinn & Arch, and most of all the Texas Longhorns defense crushed the hopes and dreams of Aggies at Kyle Field and around the world, as Big Brother beat them at home in Aggieland. The Longhorns denied Texas Agricultural & Mechanical of their first SEC Championship Game and gave Texas that opportunity in its first year in the conference, and The Flagship University in the State of Texas ended all hopes of a college football playoff berth for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies. Francis Ford Coppola could not have scripted and directed a better movie. So much to gain, so much to lose, so much heartbreak. This game really meant a lot to the farmers. Garrett Hilbert (Dude Perfect and a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2010 – Whoop!!) said “This is the biggest game in A&M’s history.” It must make them awfully sad.
For Texas, on the other hand, it was another important game on the road to a national championship. With the win over A. and M., Texas will either have a first round bye in the CFP (if the Horns beat Georgia) or Texas will host a playoff game the weekend before Christmas. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical is projected to play in either the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl or the Texas Bowl. Gig Em! Bet that will be fun.
With the win in Aggieland, the Texas Longhorns finish their first season in in first place the SEC with an 11-1 overall record and 7-1 record in conference play. The Eyes of Texas from the north endzone:
The Monday Morning Highlights, on Instagram:
On X:
https://x.com/TexasFootball/status/1863585159863316696
Mini-Movie
https://x.com/TexasFootball/status/1864129582112145733
Just incredible what Coach Sarkisian, Coach Kwiatkowski, and the staff have done with on defense. The 2024 Longhorns are the first defense to shutout the Aggy offense at Kyle Field since 1971, when Cincinnati beat the Ags 17-0. Quinn Ewers is just the fourth Longhorn quarterback in the last 50 years to beat the Land Thieves, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, and Arkansas in the same season, joining Randy McEachern (1977), Peter Gardere (1990), and the legendary Colt McCoy (2008). Full review of the game below. Suffice to say it was happy drive back from College Station.
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 2 Texas Longhorns
No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 2 Texas Longhorns
Texas gets a chance at revenge against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday afternoon in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. And much more. Winning the Southeastern Conference in our first season would be such a feat and accomplishment for Steve Sarkisian and The University. A first round bye in the CFP. Kickoff at 3:00 p.m. on ABC.
The line on Sunday opened at Texas minus 1.5, and it was Texas minus 2.5 Sunday night (and moneylines were Texas -125 and Georgia +115). Early Friday morning, the line is still Texas minus 2.5, and the moneylines are Texas -140 and Georgia +120. The over/under is 49.5.
We get the World Wide Leader’s A-Team again, in my opinion the best broadcast team in American sports. Chris Fowler with the Play-by-Play, Kirk Herbstreit with analysis and insight, and Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge on the sidelines. College Gameday will be in Atlanta.
The Voice of the Longhorns will be calling the game on the Longhorn Radio Network; Craig Way, joined by Roger Wallace (or Keith Moreland, who filled again, admirably, last week in College Station and is 2-0 this year [or, more accurately for Zonk, batting 1.000]) and Will Matthews. You can listen in Austin on the Flagship, KVET 1300 AM and 98.1 FM. In Henderson on KWRD 1470AM, and in Corpus Christi on KEYS 1440 AM. Listen in San Angelo with Mr. McLaughlin on KKSA 1260 AM. Around the country on Sirius/XM 82.
One of the big storylines: No Bevo. The Mercedez-Benz Stadium folks apparently not fond of Texas Longhorns. Such bulls#it.
Texas is going to win on Saturday. I already have New Orleans booked for the Sugar Bowl. At least Bevo is welcome in the Big Easy. Laissez les bon temps rouler.
College Football Playoffs
With a win in Atlanta, Texas should be the No. 2 seed in the CFP, which would mean a first-round bye and most likely playing in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. If Penn State upsets Oregon (possible) and Texas wins, the Longhorns would almost certainly be the No. 1 see. If Georgia wins, then Texas would most likely be seed fifth or sixth, and the Longhorns would host a first round game at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium either Friday night December 20th or on Saturday December 21st. Christmas party at Juan Heisman. That will be a first. And awesome. As mentioned in the summer – Texas and Georgia may play for a third time in the playoffs.
College Football
It was another big weekend with a huge upsets and great games. The Michigan win over The Ohio State University was remarkable. Overall, 6 ranked teams lost, including (as predicted again) the Fighting Texas Aggies.
The games were also notable for the post-game excitement, mostly caused by the visiting team, who won, attempting to plant something on the logo in the losing home team’s turf. It got ugly, to the point where Ohio State police were pepper-spraying brawling football players and anyone else in the vicinity. But, thanks to twitter and internet, we have the fight highlights set to One Shining Moment.
College Football Live on X: College Football weekly highlights extended cut 🎶 One Shining Moment
We head into championship weekend with some great games, all previewed below. Almost all the games have a line of 6 or less – for those who do not follow betting lines, that means the oddsmakers and bookmakers think the games are going to close – within a touchdown. Saturday is going to be a great day for college football!
Texas Longhorns
The 2024 Georgia Bulldogs
I get the impression from talking to a few folks that my long review of the opponent’s season is not as interesting to most people as it is to me. Which I understand. I used to just go look at the raw season stats before doing my game analysis and predictions. I have found that going back and looking at each game, and what our opponent’s players did in those games, really helps me understand more about the other team. For example, if one of their receivers has 50% of his yards in one blow-out game, that is a tell. Anyway, in order to shorten the email version of the Dispatch but still provide the content, I have put the Georgia season review in a separate post, which you can read here:
Georgia Bulldogs 2024 Season Games Summary – Austin Horns Fan Dispatch
A quick look at Georgia and Texas vs. common opponents.
| Kentucky offense | Texas D | Georgia D |
| Rushing | 21 | 170 |
| Passing | 211 | 114 |
| Total Yards | 232 | 284 |
| First Downs | 14 | 23 |
| 3rd Down efficiency | 2-1, 16.7% | 9-16, 56.3% |
| Points | 14 | 12 |
| Kentucky Defense | Texas O | Georgia O |
| Rushing | 251 | 102 |
| Passing | 191 | 160 |
| Total yards | 442 | 262 |
| First Downs | 28 | 12 |
| 3rd Down efficiency | 6-14, 42.9% | 5-13, 38.5% |
| Points | 31 | 13 |
| Mississippi State offense | Texas D | Georgia D |
| Rushing | 150 | 79 |
| Passing | 144 | 306 |
| Total Yards | 294 | 385 |
| First Downs | 19 | 17 |
| 3rd Down efficiency | 8-17, 47.1% | 2-12, 16.7% |
| Points | 13 | 31 |
| Mississippi State Defense | Texas O | Georgia O |
| Rushing | 198 | 146 |
| Passing | 325 | 159 |
| Total yards | 523 | 605 |
| First Downs | 21 | 28 |
| 3rd Down efficiency | 5-9, 55.6% | 5-11, 45.5 |
| Points | 35 | 41 |
| Florida offense | Texas D | Georgia D |
| Rushing | 197 | 115 |
| Passing | 132 | 113 |
| Total Yards | 329 | 228 |
| First Downs | 20 | 13 |
| 3rd Down efficiency | 6-14, 42.9% | 3-16, 18.8% |
| Points | 17 | 20 |
| Florida Defense | Texas O | Georgia O |
| Rushing | 210 | 146 |
| Passing | 352 | 309 |
| Total yards | 562 | 455 |
| First Downs | 23 | 25 |
| 3rd Down efficiency | 5-11, 45.5% | 4-11, 36.4% |
| Points | 49 | 34 |
Texas scored 115 points against the common opponents, Georgia scored 88.
Texas defense allowed 44 points, Georgia allowed 63.
This week’s opponent’s injury report:
Bulldog Offense
Carson Beck finished the season with 3,429 yards, 283/435 for a 65.1% completion rating, averaging 7.9 yards. 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 17 sacks, a 147.0 rating, and a QBR of 81.6, No. 10 in the nation. 53 carries, 86 yards, 1 score.
Nate Frazier: 123 carries, 587 yards, 8 touchdowns; 9 catches for 59 yards.
Trevor Etienne: 95 carries, 477 yards, 7 touchdowns; 23 catches for 140 yards. He will help the Georgia offense if he is healthy.
Cash Jones: 10 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD; 22 catches, 238 yards, 3 TDs.
Arian Smith: 42 receptions, 709 yards, 16.9 yards per catch average, 4 touchdowns.
Dominic Lovett: 53 receptions, 571 yards, 10.8 ypc, 6 touchdowns.
Dillon Bell: 37 catches, 433 yards, 11.7 ypc, 4 touchdowns.
Lawson Luckie (TE): 23 catches, 334 yards, 14.5 ypc, 3 scores.
Oscar Delp (TE): 16 catches, 207 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Bulldog Defense
Allen has 5 QBH, and Jalon Walker has 6.
Bulldog Special Teams
Peyton Woodring has not missed a PAT (46/46). He is 17/19 on field goals. Perfect under 50 yards, 3 of 5 over 50 yards. Solid.
Punter Brett Thorson averages 46.95 yards per punt. 20 inside the 20, 4 touchbacks, no blocked punts.
The Statistics
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Georgia |
| Rushing Offense | #52, #7 – 175.5 ypg | #101, #15 – 128.3 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #17, #4 – 274.6 ypg | #10, #3 – 297.0 ypg |
| Total Offense | #14, #4 – 450.1 ypg | #37, #7 – 425.3 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #21, #4 – 34.8 ppg | #25, #5 – 34.1 ppg |
| First Downs | #28, #6 – 22.5/game | #25, #5 – 22.6/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #61, #6 – 22, 142 yards | #43, #3 – 18, 132 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #99, #12 – 74, 292 yards | #20, #2 – 48, 207 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #28, #6 – 44.9% | #58, #11 – 41.6% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #59, #7 – 54.6%, 12/22 | #9, #1 – 72.7%, 16/22 |
| Red Zone Attempts | #10, #2 – 56 | #16, #4 – 54 |
| Red Zone Offense | #89, #10 – 82% / 69.6% | #9, #1 – 92.6% / 74% |
| Long Run Plays | #76, #11 – 57/10, 24/20, 7/30, 5/40 | #96, #14 – 48/10, 8/20, 5/30, 3/40 |
| Long Pass Plays | #18, #5 – 128/10, 58/20, 24/30, 11/40 | #11, #4 – 142/10, 56/20, 24/30, 8/40 |
| Long Punt Returns | #17, #3 – 4/20, 2/30, 1/40 | #67, #9 – 1/20, 1/30, 1/40 |
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Georgia |
| Rushing Defense | #12, #3 – 103.5 ypg | #44, #9 – 135.8 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #1, #1 – 143.7 ypg | #37, #6 – 196.3 ypg |
| Total Defense | #3, #1 – 247.2 ypg | #35, #9 – 332.1 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #2, #1 – 11.7 ppg | #25, #7 – 20.5 ppg |
| First Downs Allowed | #3, #1 – 14.8/game | #27, #6 – 17.8/game |
| Sacks | #15, #4 – 35, 236 yards | #35, #7 – 30, 231 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #19, #5 – 85, 354 yards | #50, #8 – 71, 318 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #6, #3 – 30.3% | #23, #6 – 33.1% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #25, #4 – 44%, 11/25 | #73, #11 – 53.6%, 15/28 |
| Red Zone Attempts | #1, #1 – 24 | #42, #11 – 37 |
| Red Zone Defense | #3, #1 – 66.7%/45.8% | #75, #14 – 83.8% / 51.4% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #6, #3 – 33/10, 2/20, 1/30, 1/40 | #34, #8 – 47/10, 15/20, 5/30, 2/40 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #1, #1 – 64/10, 22/20, 6/30, 4/40 | #42, #7 – 95/10, 28/28, 14/30, 6/40 |
Texas has allowed no pass plays to cover over 50 yards. Georgia has allowed 4 over 50, 3 over 60, and 3 over 70.
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Georgia |
| Turnovers | #85, #11 – 19, 10F, 9I | #53, #7 – 16, 4F, 11I |
| Turnover Margin | #26, #3 – 26:19 +7 | #64 #11 – 16:16 0 |
| Penalties | #79, #7 – 74, 604 yards | #69, #6 – 70, 666 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Georgia Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 175.5 ypg | 135.8 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 274.6 ypg | 196.3 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 450.1 ypg | 332.1 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 34.8 ppg | 20.5 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 22.5/game | 17.8/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 44.9% | 33.1% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 54.6% | 53.6% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 82%/69.6% | 83.8%/51.4% – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 57/10, 24/20, 7/30, 5/40 | 47/10, 15/20, 5/30, 2/40 – LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 128/10, 58/20, 24/30, 11/40 | 95/10, 28/20, 14/30, 6/40 – LPP Allowed |
| Texas Defense | Georgia Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 103.5 ypg | 128.3 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 143.7 ypg | 297.0 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 247.2 ypg | 425.3 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 11.7 ppg | 34.1 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 14.8/game | 22.6/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 30.3% | 41.6% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 44% | 72.7% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 66.7%/45.8% | 92.6%/74% – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 33/10, 2/20, 1/30, 1/40 | 48/10, 8/20, 5/30, 3/40 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 64/10, 22/20, 6/30, 4/40 | 142/10, 56/20, 24/30, 8/40 – LPP |
Some individual notes on Texas:
- Quintrevion Wisner is No. 7 in the SEC in rushing, with 73.82 ypg.
- Quintrevion Wisner is No. 6 in the SEC in Yards from Scrimmage, 93.3 ypg.
- Anthony Hill Jr. is 8th in the SEC with 84 tackles.
- Anthony Hill Jr. is 2nd in the SEC with 15 TFL (14th nationally).
- Anthony Hill Jr. is 7th in the SEC with 7.5 sacks.
- Collin Simmons is 10th in the SEC with 7 sacks.
- Andrew Mukuba and Jahdae Barron are tied for first in the SEC with 4 interceptions each.
- Matthew Golden is tied for 2nd in SEC with 8 touchdown catches.
- Silas Bolden is 4th in the SEC in punt returns, 16.2 ypg; also 4th in average at 8.43
Quinn Ewers is 6th in the SEC with 230.7 yards per game. With on 10 games (all the other stats leaders have 11 or 12), Quinn is ranked as follows (SEC, some nationals parenthetically):
- 4th with 24 touchdowns (18th nationally).
- 2nd in completion percentage, at 67.3 percent (16th in nation)
- 5th in Quarterback Rating, at 151.95 (Beck is 7th, 147)
- 8th in yards, at 2,307
- 8th in QBR at 71.4
This is a complete aside, but when I was looking at stats, Aggie RB Le’Veon Moss is still 3rd in the SEC in rushing. Not sure he would have changed the outcome Saturday, but he’s a hoss.
Stop Rate
I am going to start paying more attention to this. Max Olsen, one of ESPN’s most excellent college football sportswriters, has a great article on it, and I have a few quotes from it here. I think this is important.
What is stop rate? It’s a basic measurement of success: the percentage of a defense’s drives that end in punts, turnovers or a turnover on downs. Defensive coordinators have the same goal regardless of their scheme, opponent or conference: prevent points and get off the field. Stop rate is a simple metric but can offer a good reflection of a defense’s effectiveness on a per-drive basis in today’s faster-tempo game.
Last year, national champ Michigan finished No. 1 with a stop rate of 81.6% in its games against FBS opponents. The top 25 teams in the final 2023 stop rate standings won a total of 249 games, with seven earning conference titles. Great teams find a way to get stops in critical situations.
Texas is No. 1. Georgia is No. 64. To put that UGA ranking in context, teams that Texas beat this season are ranked: Land Thieves, 23; Colorado State, 36; Michigan, 43; Texas A. and M., 46; Florida, 61. Arkansas is 66, UTSA is 71. Stop Rate rankings:
BCF Toys
| FEI | OFEI | DFEI | SFEI – Adj | |
| Texas | No. 2: 1.30 | No. 18: 0.36 | No. 1: 0.88 | No. 34: 0.05 |
| Georgia | No. 9: 1.02 | No. 6: 0.43 | No. 15: 0.53 | No. 30: 0.05 |
| NAY | OAY | DAY | |
| Texas | No. 1: 0.285 | No. 20: 0.562 | No. 1: 0.277 |
| Georgia | No. 25: 0.101 | No. 28: 0.538 | No. 42: 0.437 |
Going into last week, the Aggies were No. 42 in DAY.
| NPD | OPD | DPD | |
| Texas | No. 3: 2.16 | No. 13: 3.01 | No. 1: 0.85 |
| Georgia | No. 21: 0.94 | No. 26: 2.83 | No. 38: 1.89 |
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical was No. 27 in NPD, No. 44 in OPD, and No. 35 in DPD.
| NPP | OPP | DPP | |
| Texas | No. 2: 2.68 | No. 19: 6.52 | No. 1: 3.84 |
| Georgia | No. 36: 0.76 | No. 37: 6.20 | No. 45: 5.43 |
Texas is No. 1 in D4+, No. 1 in D7+, and No. 2 in D10+
Possession Efficiency. Possession Efficiency (PVE) is unadjusted scoring value calculated from the results of non-garbage possessions (NP) in FBS vs. FBS games.
| PVE | OVE | DVE | SVE | |
| Texas | No. 3: 1.04 | No. 21: 0.23 | No. 1: 0.81 | No. 82: -0.02 |
| Georgia | No. 24: 0.45 | No. 26: 0.17 | No. 42: 0.25 | No. 48: 0.03 |
Aggies were No. 33 in PVE, No. 47 OVE, No. 28 DVE, No. 16 SVE.
In BCF’s F+ ratings (Brian Fremeau’s FEI ratings combined with Bill Connelly’s SP+ ratings), Texas is No. 1. Offensively, Texas is No. 12; defensively, Texas is No. 1. Bulldogs are No. 8, No. 5 offense, No. 13 defense.
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Texas | Georgia | 0.656 | 5.8 | 26.4 | 20.6 | 47.0 |
ESPN Analytics:
College Football Insiders:
Opponents & Records
Texas |
Georgia |
| W – Colorado State, 52-0. 8-4 | W – No. 14 Clemson, 34-3. 9-3 |
| W– @ No. 10 Michigan, 31-12. 7-5 | W – Tennessee Tech, 48-3. 7-3 |
| W – UTSA, 56-7. 6-6 | W – @ Kentucky, 13-12. 4-8 |
| W – Louisiana Monroe, 51-3. 5-7 | L – @ No. 4 Alabama, 41-34. 9-3 |
| W – Mississippi State, 35-13. 2-10 | W – Auburn, 31-13. 5-7 |
| W – No. 18 Oklahoma, 34-3. 6-6 | W – Mississippi State, 41-31. 2-10 |
| L – No. 5 Georgia, 30-15. 10-2 | W – @ No. 1 Texas, 30-15. 11-1 |
| W – @ No. 25 Vanderbilt, 27-24. 6-6 | W – Florida, 34-20. 7-5 |
| W- Florida, 49-17. 7-5 | L – @ No. 16 Ole Miss, 38-10. 9-3 |
| W – @ Arkansas, 20-10. 6-6 | W – No. 7 Tennessee, 31-17. 10-2 |
| W – Kentucky, 31-14: 4-8 | W – Massachusetts, 59-21. 2-10 |
| W – @ No. 20 Texas A. and M., 17-7. 8-4 | W – Georgia Tech, 44-42. 7-5 |
- Texas has one loss, to No. 5 Georgia.
- Georgia has two losses, to No 4 Alabama and No. 16 Ole Miss.
- Texas has played and beaten four teams with winning records.
- Georgia has played and beaten six teams with winning records.
- 8 of the Longhorn wins are against teams that are .500 or better (all bowl-eligible, best in nation tied with Syracuse)
- 6 of the Bulldog wins are against teams that are .500 or better.
Georgia can’t argue that our only loss was a high quality loss!
After seeing the importance of explosive plays play out Saturday night, I decided to look at Georgia and do a similar comparison:
| Texas | Georgia | |
| EP Rushing | #18, #2 –24/20, 7/30, 5/40, 2/50 | #120 #16 – 8/20, 5/30, 3/40, 1/50 |
| EP Passing | #5, #2 – 58/20, 24/30, 11/40, 5/50 | #6, #3 – 56/20, 24/30, 8/40, 3/50 |
| Explosive Plays | #3, #2 – 82/20, 31/30, 16/40, 7/50 | #27, #7 – 64/20, 29/30, 11/40, 4/50 |
| Texas | Georgia | |
| EP Rushes Allowed | #1, #1 –2/20, 1/30, 1/40, 1/50 | #65, #11 – 15/20, 5/30, 2/40, 1/50 |
| EP Passes Allowed | #3, #1 – 22/20, 6/30, 4/40, 0/50 | #17, #2 – 28/20, 14/30, 8/40, 2/50 |
| Explosive Plays Allowed | #1, #1 – 24/20, 7/30, 5/40, 1/50 | #32, #4 – 43/20, 19/30, 8/40, 5/50 |
Texas is elite, best defensively, and I am sure the best in terms of complementary football.
The official Game Notes from The University of Texas:
https://texaslonghorns.com/documents/2024/12/2/Week_14_-_Georgia.pdf
TCT Thoughts
I am feeling remarkably confident about the game in Atlanta. Remarkable for a lot of reasons: the game is in Georgia – a home game for the Bulldogs. Georgia already beat us this season. Kirby Smart is a great coach. Carson Beck is a very good quarterback who is capable of putting the Dawgs on his back and carrying them to a win.
Georgia is playing in its 12th SEC championship game and their fourth in a row. But noteworthy that the Bulldogs have lost 4 of the last 5, are 2-6 in their last 8 appearances, and are 4-7 overall.
Texas is coming in hot. A team that has grown and transformed since that October 19 loss to the Dogs. The Longhorns have developed an exceptional running game, powered by Quintrevion Wisner running behind an offensive line that is playing great football. A defense that has matured and grown stronger and better, a unit which is the best in the Nation.
Texas will win this football game if the Longhorn defense plays like it has for the last 6 weeks. Outside of a few isolated drives, and mostly “trash-time” points, this defense has held opposing offenses completely in check. Problems have come, and points have been surrendered, mainly because of field position (recall Georgia’s advantageous starting points in our first match). Thus, to some degree, the defense’s ability to keep Georgia from scoring will be dependent on the offense’s (and punting team’s) performance.
What is hopefully the easiest match-up in the game, the Texas D vs. the Georgia rushing attack, will hold true to the statistical averages. If so, it is hard to imagine the Bulldogs getting more than 100 yards, unless they are getting yards late when it doesn’t matter (which is possible).
The big test will be the defense against Carson Beck and the Georgia offense. There is plenty of tape this season to dissect Beck. He has had a couple of stinkers (Kentucky and Ole Miss). I would expect that PK and the staff have that figured out, his weaknesses, his proclivities. I doubt that his feet will be parallel to the line on all running plays and offset on passing plays! Texas has to get pressure on Beck. If he can sit back and make his reads and find Arian Smith deep or Lovett on a crossing route or checkdown to Luckie or a running back, Texas will have a tough time keeping the Bulldogs out of the endzone. Mukuba and Barron and the rest of DBU 2024 will have something to say about that. And I like the way they play in the Icy Whites.
The Texas offense is going to have do several things for the Longhorns to win. First and foremost, not the turn the ball over, especially on the Texas side of the 50. Kirby and Beck with a short field is a real problem, as Texas has already learned. Second, avoid penalties that put Texas in third and long. Georgia’s defense is good, not great, but very good on third down, allowing just 33.1%. Texas will need to be in the 42%+ range on third down to win, I think, and that will be hard if it is a lot of third and 7 and third and 8. Third, avoid a bad third quarter. Quinn and the offense need to put up some points in the third. I think Texas will have a 7 to 10 point lead at half. Do not let Georgia back in. Fourth, keep that running game going. If Wisner can run like he did that last couple of weeks, and Blue can get some carries and hold on to the ball, Texas will head home with a trophy. Statistically, the Georgia defense is not as good against the run as the Aggies (they were allowing 128.4 ypg, Georgia is 135.8 ypg). Finally, I think the wildcard that Sarkisian is going to play is Arch Manning. We saw that in College Station, and I think we are going to see more of it in Atlanta. Not just to come in and run the ball in the red zone either. Some RPO, maybe even something like the triple option. Would love to see Manning, Wisner, Wingo, and Blue all with the chance to touch the ball on a play. Tough to defend.
What’s tough for Sark and Texas is that Kirby Smart is one of the best defensive coaches in college football. He confused and debilitated the Texas offensive line in October. From bad protection to penalties, the line had a bad night. Obviously since then, a different and much, much better O Line. Will Flood and Sark be ready for what Smart runs against them? I hope so, because that will be the key to the game. And the way to not worry as much about pass protection is running the ball down the Dawgs throats. We have rushed for more than 200 yards in 3 of the last 4 games. Let’s do that.
I am a bit anxious about the special teams, punting in particular. Not our strong suit right now, and Georgia is pretty good. Texas is going to have be better. The good news is, our punt return game is strong, and so hopefully we can keep field position in our favor with that (and not turning over the football).
I think the quarterbacks are going to be in an even duel and the difference is going to be the Texas rushing attack. But, importantly, two facets of that. First, the grind it out, get solid gains, move the chains game. Second, explosive plays. We have real potential to bust big running plays, and Georgia has given up a bunch – 15 over 20 and 5 over 30. It only takes a couple of those to really open things up.
Texas wins, 28-17.
A TCT Collection
I didn’t have time to organize all this and weave it into the Dispatch, so just some cool stuff and clips here.
Ewers to Helm
https://x.com/CJVogel_OTF/status/1863438374486372506
Barron, Taaffe, and Majors. Faithful men.
https://x.com/Cory_Mose/status/1863752629681095001
SEC Season Highlights:
https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/42780189
Collin Simmons is the 8th highest graded pass rusher in the nation. True freshman!
PFF College on X: “Colin Simmons is the 8th Highest Graded Pass Rusher / X
Texas Longhorns Football Recruiting
an incredible Texas recruiting class. No. 1. Jonah Williams, Kade Phillips. Michael Terry. What a haul.
Texas Finishes No. 1 in the Recruiting Class | National Signing Day 2024 – 247Sports
Texas Longhorns v. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas won the toss and deferred. I was disappointed we didn’t go full-on Bill Bradley.
The first Aggie drive was one of their better ones. 65 yards, lots of solid runs, into the redzone. A first and ten at the Texas 19. Then a fourth and 1 at the Texas 10. The Longhorn defense gave a preview of what the night would be like – we perhaps just didn’t know who much this would be the way the game played out. Amari Daniels stuffed for no gain, turnover on downs.
Texas went 3 and out, gave the aggies great field position at the 50. But on the ensuing Aggie possession, Texas made the first big play of the game, as Taaffe picked off Reed at the Texas 7 yard line.
Ewers & Co. went to work. 93 yards. First highlight was Ewers scrambling for 26 yards on third and 10, getting the Horns to midfield. A couple of plays later, another explosive running play, as Wisner ripped off 22 to the Aggie 34. He tacked on 11 on the next play, 10 more 2 plays later. On fourth and 2, Sark sent in Arch Manning. It was money.
https://x.com/espn/status/1863031802077622570
Texas drew first blood, and the Longhorns would never give up the lead. 7-0 Texas.
Next aggie possession, they managed to gain 26 yards on 10 plays.
Texas took the ball on the 20, and another great drive that included a 14 yard completion to Helm and a 44 yarder to Matthew Golden, setting Texas up on the Aggie 23. Two plays, later, a magnificent throw and even better catch, as Ewers hit Blue in the corner, and Blue got a foot down to put Texas up 14 to nothing. The time on the clock was 8:19 in the second quarter.
I really had this thought that Texas might blow the Aggies out. When Texas got a field goal on their next possession and took a 17 to nothing lead to the locker room, I was giddy. Or maybe just dizzy from being about 900 feet above the field, near the highest point in the stadium.
The Longhorn Third Quarter Troubles returned. Punt on our first possession. A great 78 yard drive that ends with an interception for a touchdown – a 93 yard pick six that was at least a 10 point swing and maybe a 14 point swing.
Very next possession Texas drove the field again. This time, Ewers fumbled on the 11 yard line. Another redzone trip that ends in disaster.
17-7 was uncomfortable. I should not have been. The mighty 2024 Texas defense took over. The Aggies punted on their next possession. Texas then handed Texas Agricultural & Mechanical another opportunity with a blocked punt.
That gave us maybe the series and play of the season, as the Aggies started on the Texas 19. First and goal on the Texas 5. Reed for 3. Second and goal at the 2. Daniels 1 yard. Third and goal at the Texas 1. Daniels no gain. Fourth and 1. Then Burke and the Defense.
The goal line stand and Ethan Burke’s play was one that will likely go down in Longhorn lore, up there with Johnny Treadwell and other Texas greats.
https://x.com/SEC/status/1863070680293781876
Quintrevion Wisner. 186 yards on 33 carries. 10 first downs. Justin Nash put together an every-play Wisner video. Excellent.
https://x.com/NashTalksTexas/status/1863761488248258864
Huge kudos to Trevor Goosby in relief of Kelvin Banks. He shut down every farmer he faced.
Gunnar Helm.
How good was the Texas run defense. CJ Vogel summed it up like this:
Yards gained on each rush attempt by a Texas A&M RB vs. Texas:
2
4
5
3
1
0
4
2
2
4
2
4
4
4
2
4
-3
1
0
-3
20 rush attempts for 42 yards, a 2.10 yards per attempt average.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical was No. 2 in the nation in redzone conversions. Over 97%. Zero Percent against Texas.
It was a huge team effort on defense. Liona Lefau was the PFF highest graded player in the game for Texas.
Taaffe vs. the Aggies:
🤘 31 Coverage Snaps
🤘 Zero Catches Allowed
🤘 1 INT & 1 PBU
🤘 0.0 Passer Rating Allowed
🤘 88.5 Coverage Grade
Here is how Texas performed statistically:
Texas A. and M. Offense |
Against Texas |
Texas Defense Pregame |
| Rushing Offense – 208.4 ypg | 102 yards | 104.0 ypg |
| Passing Offense – 208.7 ypg | 146 yards | 143.5 ypg |
| Total Offense – 417.1 ypg | 248 yards | 247.5 ypg |
| Scoring Offense – 32.5 ppg | Zero | 12.1 ppg |
| First Downs – 21.8/game | 15 | 14.7/game |
| 3rd Down Offense – 45.64% | 36.36% | 29.87% |
| 4th Down Offense 50% | 0% – 0/3 | 50% |
| Red Zone Offense – 95.6%/73.3% – | 0%/0% (0/2) | 72.7%/50.0% |
Texas Offense |
Against Aggy |
A. and M. Defense Pregame |
| Rushing Offense – 169.6 ypg | 240 yards | 128.4 ypg |
| Passing Offense – 279.7 ypg | 218 yards | 227.7 ypg |
| Total Offense – 449.4 ypg | 458 yards | 356.1 ypg |
| Scoring Offense – 36.5 ppg | 17 points | 21.5 ppg |
| First Downs – 22.2/game | 26 | 18.5/game |
| 3rd Down Offense – 44.68% | 46.67% | 33.33% |
| 4th Down Offense – 52.4% | 100% 1/1 | 50% |
The game did have some moments. And dirty cheatin’ aggie play. How is this not a penalty.
https://x.com/InsideTexas/status/1863043133946077614
TCT & Brad Laughlin
TCT & Dick Evans
Highlights from ESPN College Football, a little over 13 minutes
Matt Highlights #2 – about 24 minutes
Every play in 72 minutes from @TexasClips:
Finally, one of my favorite new road game traditions, grading the horns down.
Pregame in Aggieland
Brad Laughlin, the most reliable wingman and best Longhorn sports partner and friend one can have, road shotgun to College Station. We were fortunate to connect with Tim Crowley and get to the Frost Bank tailgate. David Lepori, Frost’s Houston President, a Good Aggie and gracious host. Got to have a cold beer with the Crowley’s including my Goddaughter!
Tim, Carol, Brad, TCT, Elizabeth, and Connor.
Crowley, Laughlin, TCT, & David Lepori
College Football Playoff Rankings
AP Top 25 & Coaches Poll
Massey Ratings
Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, Southern Methodist, Indiana, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Ole Miss are the top 12.
College Football Insiders
PFF
Oregon Ducks, Texas Longhorns, Georgia Bulldogs, Penn State Nittany Lions, Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the top 5. Then Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana, Southern Methodist, and Alabama.
College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering Week 15
ESPN College Football Power Index
ESPN’s analytics have Texas with a 61.5% chance of winning the SEC, 100% of making the playoffs, a 37.9% chance of making the championship game, and a 23.0% chance of winning it all (highest, by 8.5 points).
2024 College Football Power Index – ESPN
ESPN SP+ from Bill Connelly
Championship Weekend
Friday
Conference USA: Western Kentucky v. Jacksonville State, 6:00 p.m. on CBSSN. AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Alabama. Gamecocks favored by 5, total is 57.5.
Mountain West: No. 20 UNLV (10-2) vs. No. 10 Boise State, 7:00 p.m. on FOX. On the Blue Turf in Boise. Broncos favored by 4, total is 57.5.
American: Tulane Green Wave (9-3) v. No. 14 Army Black Knights (10-1), 7:00 p.m. on ABC, Michie Stadium, West Point. Crazy that Army has to turn around and play Navy next weekend. This should be a great football game. Tulane favored by 5, total is 46.5. CFI projects Army to win by 1.4 points. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Army | Tulane | .574 | 2.6 | 28.8 | 26.2 | 55.0 |
Saturday
Big 12: No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones (10-2) v. No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils (10-2), 11:00 a.m. on ABC from Jerry World. If you had told me in August that I would have any interest in watching the Big 12 championship game this season, I would have chuckled. But lo and behold, here comes Cam Skattebo and the Devils, playing the old Big 12 team I probably like the most. Skattebo is 7th nationally in rushing, 127.1 yards per game, 1,398 total; No. 2 in yards from scrimmage, averaging 169.6 ypg, with 1,866 total yards. ASU favored by 2, total is 49.5. CFI projects Iowa State to win by 0.45 points. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Iowa State | Arizona State | .501 | 0.01 | 26.6 | 26.5 | 53.1 |
MAC: Ohio Bobcats (9-3) v. Miami Redhawks (9-3) No. 15, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN from Ford Field in Detroit. A happy day for Jimmy U! Redhawks favored by 2, total is 44.5. CFI projects Miami to win by 0.02 of a point. That is close. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Ohio | Miami | .512 | 0.4 | 22.1 | 21.7 | 43.8 |
Sun Belt: Marshall Thundering Herd (9-3) v. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-2), 6:30 p.m. on ESPN, Cajun Field, Lafayette. ULaLa favored by 6, total is 57.5. CFI projects ULaLa to win by 3.03 points. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Louisiana | Marshall | .658 | 5.9 | 34.0 | 28.1 | 62.2 |
Big Ten: No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1) v. No. 1 Oregon Ducks (12-0), 7:00 p.m. on CBS, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis. Ducks favored by 3.5, total is 50.5. Not a PSU fan, ever. Go Ducks. CFI projects Oregon to win by 5.72 points. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| Oregon | Penn State | .591 | 3.3 | 28.5 | 25.2 | 53.6 |
ACC: No. 17 Clemson Tigers (9-3) v. No. 8 Southern Methodist Mustangs (12-0), 7:00 p.m. on ABC, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte. Dabo and the kids sure got lucky. Probably going to run out on Saturday, but you never know. The starting quarterbacks are both Texas State Champions – Klubnik with Westlake and Jennings with South Oak Cliff. Ponies 2, total is 55.5. CFI projects the Mustangs to win by 6.47 points. BCF:
| Projected Winner | Projected Loser | PW | PM | PF | PA | PT |
| SMU | Clemson | .563 | 2.2 | 29.0 | 26.8 | 55.9 |
Seems like a good time to watch one of the greatest college football social media posts of all time, especially after the game in College Station last Saturday.
SMU Football on X: “Watch our smoke. @EricDickerson / X
The FCS tournament kicks off this weekend. Something to flip to if you get bored.
College Football Scores – FCS (I-AA) 2024 Season – ESPN
Texas Longhorns Basketball
The Longhorns are 7-1 coming off a nice 63-59 road win at NC State. Really big game Sunday at The Moody Center, as Texas hosts the UConn Huskies. 4:00 p.m., on ESPN. Fun team, and there is some real talent.
No. 3 Texas Longhorns Volleyball
The Longhorns won their NCAA first round game Thursday night, sweeping the Island Aggies 3-0. Horns play No. 6 Southern Cal Friday night at 6:30 at Gregory Gymnasium.
Longhorn Network
I was and always will be a fan of LHN. Already missing it with basketball and volleyball. Their “thanks for the memories” video.
https://x.com/LonghornNetwork/status/1792317438517764147
Texas Longhorns Football
A look at the list of this week’s honors and awards
- Quinn Ewers, Manning Award Finalist
- Liona Lefau, SEC Community Service Team
- Colin Simmons, Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalist
- Texas Offensive Line, Joe Moore Award Finalist
Weekly Awards:
- Quintrevion Wisner, Early Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week
- Quintrevion Wisner, SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week
- Vernon Broughton, Co-Defensive Player of the Week
-
Michael Taaffe, East-West Shrine Bowl Texas Star of the Week
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. It is critically important to support Texas One and NIL for Longhorns. Consider a monthly donation. It makes a difference.
Big congrats to Wheels and Britt and all the Texas One team and supporters on the hugely successful National Signing Day. Well done.
Gratitude
Thanks for all the emails. Appreciate y’all. I am very grateful we beat the snot out of the Aggies!
Week Fourteen in the Southeastern Conference
No. 14 Ole Miss 26-14 over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The Rebels were favored by 26.5. Rivalry games are hard. Hotty Toddy!
No. 7 Georgia was favored by 19 points against the Yellow Jackets. Haynes King had other ideas. Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate was an epic game, 8 overtimes. Bulldogs (and the refs) save their season with a 44-42 win.
Vanderbilt had a great first quarter against No. 8 Tennessee, leading 17-7 after the first frame. Rest of the game, not so much. Volunteers and Iamaleava got it in gear and downed the Commodores 36-23.
No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks 17, No. 12 Clemson Tigers 14. Heck of a good football game. South Carolina should be ranked higher in the CFP. Dabo Swinney best send a nice thank you note to Syracuse. Saved his chili.
Louisville hammered Kentucky 41-14. The Wildcats have had a few moments of greatness this season, but not many.
No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide 28 Auburn Tigers 14. Milroe rebounded from the dismal disaster in Norman, throwing for 256 yards (1 pick) and rushing for 104 yards (17 carries) and 3 touchdowns; QBR of 97.3. Alabama leads the Iron Bowl 51-37-1.
Arkansas 21, No. 21 Missouri 28. Arkansas had a 14-10 lead going to the fourth, and the Tigers scored 18 points.
Florida Gators 31, Florida State 11. Sad season for the Seminoles. Looks like Napier saved his job with 3 straight wins, 2 over ranked teams, since the 49-17 loss here in Austin to Texas.
Land Thieves 17, Louisiana State 37. Geaux Tigers.
Week 14: Service Academies
Friday
Navy 31, East Carolina 20. It was 14-3 Navy after 3 quarters. Crazy final frame.
Army battled hard to beat UTSA 29-24. Bryson Daily 10/17 for 190 yards and a TD, rushed 27 times for 147 yards and 2 scores. He’s a football player.
Air Force 31, San Diego State 20. The Falcons finish 5-7 after 4 straight wins, which followed 7 straight losses. Men at the Academy have character.
Top 25: Week 14
Michigan 13, Ohio State 10. What an upset and what a great win for the Wolverines. BCF had given the Buckeyes a 98.5% probability of winning, by 25.9 points. Any given Saturday.
No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 59, Southern Cal Trojans 35. Tied at half, the Irish got three third quarter TDs. Third quarters are important. 🍀
Cal Berkeley Golden Bears (6-5, 2-5) vs. No. 9 Southern Methodist Mustangs 38-6 over Cal Berkeley. Ponies finish perfect in the ACC. Money talks, and Southern Methodist 2024 is the poster child for this era of college football. The old SMU alums are probably laughing in the 19th hole and saying, “Been there, done that.”
Memphis rolled into the Big Easy and upset No. 17 Tulane, 34-24. A 23.5 swing on the line. Someone missed big. Tigers get a 10 win season.
No. 11 Boise State 34-18 over Oregon State. Beavers covered.
No. 25 Colorado shutout Oklahoma State 52 to nothing. Gundy and the Pokes finish 2024 without a conference win. Stunning. Cowboys were ranked No. 17 at the start of the season. Which also tells you something about preseason rankings.
No. 16 Arizona State rolled over Arizona 49-7. Big game for Skattebo!
No. 6 Miami (Florida) loses at Syracuse 42-38. Syracuse scored 21 points in the third quarter.
No. 10 Indiana shutout Purdue 66-0. Boilermakers finish 1-11 without a Big Ten win.
No. 19 Brigham Young 30-18 over Houston.
No. 23 Illinois 38, Northwestern 28.
Maryland 7, No. 4 Penn State 44.
No. 1 Oregon 49-21 over Washington in The Border War.
No. 18 Iowa State advanced to Dallas with a 29-21 win over No. 24 Kansas State.
No. 22 UNLV 38-14 over Nevada. Rebels were favored by 17.5.
Other Games of Interest Week 14
Friday
Miami Redhawks 28-12 over the Bowling Green Falcons.
Leland Stanford Junior University 31. San José State 34. Spartans were favored by 2.5.
Nebraska 10, Iowa 13. I hope the children weren’t watching.
Saturday
Baylor 45, Kansas 17.
Texas Tech hammered West Virginia 52-15. Mountaineers fired Neal Brown after finishing 6-6 and 5-4 in conference.
North Texas beats Temple 24-17, and Coach Elf and the Mean Green get a bowl game.
Rice wins! 35-28 over South Florida.
NC State beats North Carolina 35-30
Texas Christian 20-13 over Cincinnati.
Virginia Cavaliers 17, Virginia Tech 37.
Jim Nicar
1924: UT Austin’s The Daily Texan newsroom a century ago, housed in a temporary pinewood shack, heated by a potbelly stove, and using typewriters and candlestick phones (front left). Many women students joined the newspaper staff during WW I and have remained active since then.
From Jim’s Post on December 4, 2024.
Follow Jim on X
Picture of the Week
From Aerial Austin’s Instagram post on December 5, 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. 16
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2024. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
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