ESPN: How Texas Can Win It All

[Blake Munroe]

 

They run down each team remaining, but here is the part on the Horns. Full story link below   

What we learned in Round 1: Texas can morph into whatever form necessary to advance. Quinn Ewersstarted 8-for-8, but he cooled off after a ball bounced off DeAndre Moore Jr.'s hands and turned into an interception. But the running game took over Saturday for the Longhorns. After running for a total of 60 yards in two losses to Georgia this year, the Longhorns had two 100-yard rushers against Clemson, just the fourth pair of running backs to top the century mark in the playoff. Jaydon Blue, who had 38- and 77-yard touchdown runs -- the second the Longhorns' longest run of the season -- added some explosiveness to an offense that has been methodical all season. This Texas team has dimensions where it can shift gears.

X factor: Texas tight end Gunnar Helm is a reliable security blanket for Ewers and the Longhorns, catching a touchdown pass with 33 seconds left in the first half, and three of his other five catches went for first downs, all coming on first down. The threat of Helm on early downs over the middle softens up looks for the rest of the offense. The 6-5, 250-pound senior is now first in Longhorns history in catches by a tight end and second in yards and touchdowns by a tight end in a season.

How Texas wins: Run the ball and shut down Cam Skattebo. The Texas pass defense was gashed by Clemson at times, giving up three passing TDs after surrendering only four all season, but without Jordyn Tyson, the Sun Devils might not have enough weapons to keep spreading out the nation's best pass defense. If Texas can contain Skattebo (in the passing game, too) and feed its own running backs behind a strong offensive line, the Longhorns can stifle the Sun Devils and milk the clock while making them play from behind. 

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/43080654/college-football-playoff-2024-quarterfinal-first-look-preview

[Dustin Wells]

Just repeat our performance against Clemson against Arizona State and we win easy. Everyone is talking about how the physicality of Arizona State will make up for the talent gap and that may be true in the BIG12 regular season but not in the CFP Playoffs.

[Burnt Orange Horn]

 

Horns. Full story link below   

What we learned in Round 1: Texas can morph into whatever form necessary to advance. Quinn Ewersstarted 8-for-8, but he cooled off after a ball bounced off DeAndre Moore Jr.'s hands and turned into an interception. But the running game took over Saturday for the Longhorns. After running for a total of 60 yards in two losses to Georgia this year, the Longhorns had two 100-yard rushers against Clemson, just the fourth pair of running backs to top the century mark in the playoff. Jaydon Blue, who had 38- and 77-yard touchdown runs -- the second the Longhorns' longest run of the season -- added some explosiveness to an offense that has been methodical all season. This Texas team has dimensions where it can shift gears.

X factor: Texas tight end Gunnar Helm is a reliable security blanket for Ewers and the Longhorns, catching a touchdown pass with 33 seconds left in the first half, and three of his other five catches went for first downs, all coming on first down. The threat of Helm on early downs over the middle softens up looks for the rest of the offense. The 6-5, 250-pound senior is now first in Longhorns history in catches by a tight end and second in yards and touchdowns by a tight end in a season.

How Texas wins: Run the ball and shut down Cam Skattebo. The Texas pass defense was gashed by Clemson at times, giving up three passing TDs after surrendering only four all season, but without Jordyn Tyson, the Sun Devils might not have enough weapons to keep spreading out the nation's best pass defense. If Texas can contain Skattebo (in the passing game, too) and feed its own running backs behind a strong offensive line, the Longhorns can stifle the Sun Devils and milk the clock while making them play from behind.