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  • Texas to Play Only 3 Teams in 2024 With Returning QB & HC

    CJ Vogel

    By CJ Vogel

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    The departure of Jim Harbaugh from Michigan is just another chapter in what has already been a wacky, wild offseason in the month of January.

    Of course it has big implications on the college football landscape from a national perspective, but more specifically it will have quite the impact on the Longhorns come week two of the 2024 college football season when Texas heads north to Ann Arbor.

    It got me thinking. Something I don't do often. Just how many returning head coaches and quarterbacks will the 2024 Longhorns face?

    Well, the answer is this. Texas will face eight returning head coaches and eight first time quarterbacks in 2024. Only three Texas opponents next fall will have the luxury of continuity at HC and QB from this past season.

    Screenshot2024-01-25at7_58_35AM.png.aa77df5a44b991c2ec6b267543febfb8.png

    Colorado State – I like what Jay Norvell has going in Fort Collins. The win-loss record wasn't pretty in 2023, but they play tough and the Colorado game proved they don't take mess from anyone. Former Aledo QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi will return in 2024. He was 2nd in the Mountain West in passing yards last year with 3,460.

    Michigan – Obviously the reason for this conversation is Michigan. JJ McCarthy is departing for the NFL Draft and Jim Harbaugh has agreed to take over the LA Chargers. Michigan is losing quite a bit more as well, but a new signal caller and decision maker makes a trip to Ann Arbor look significantly less daunting.

    UTSA – I had originally thought QB Frank Harris was returning for year eight, however he is not. That leads soon to be redshirt-sophomore Owen McCown to lead the Road Runners next year. And of course, Jeff Traylor is in charge.

    ULM – ULM just hired former New Mexico OC Bryant Vincent as their new head coach. Offensive minded approach for the Warhawks will be interesting to see how Hunter Herring to takeover for the departed Jiya Wright.

    Miss State – Will Rogers transferred to Washington after the season to play for Kalen DeBoer, and despite his departure to Alabama will stay at UW. Former Baylor QB Blake Shapen transferred in will compete with 2024 QB Michael Van Buren in the brand new Jeff Lebby offensive scheme.

    Oklahoma – Brent Venables returns for year three in Norman. After a step in the right direction in 2023, it is likely the defensive once again leads the way for the Sooners in 2024. Jackson Arnold will be a first year starter, but he will be doing so behind a brand new offensive line from this past season.

    Georgia – The most complete team in the country will see both its head coach and quarterback return from what ended up being a disappointing 13–1 season.

    Vanderbilt – Head Coach Clark Lea is back for year four. Vanderbilt isn't the dumpster fire it once was, but still lacks blue-chip talent. At quarterback you can expect a new face. Former QBs Ken Seals (TCU) and AJ Swann (LSU) each transferred out this offseason.

    Florida – Somehow Billy Napier is still the head coach of the Florida Gators, but the question is whether or not he will be employed by the date of this meeting in 2024. Surprisingly to me, Graham Mertz wasn't too bad in 2023. A second year in the system will help, as he will be back for the Gators next fall (hopefully in a number that isn't #15.)

    Arkansas – Similarly to Florida, somehow Sam Pittman is back in Fayetteville for 2024. However, the Razorbacks will be without KJ Jefferson who departed for UCF, so no revenge of 2021 for the Longhorns against Jefferson. Instead, Arkansas added former Boise St. QB Taylen Green.

    Kentucky – This is a fun one. Kentucky should be a team with a mark on the head coaching column, that was the case until A&M brass flipped suit and literally left Stoops on the tarmac. Stoops followed that up by adding former five-star 2021 QB prospect Brock Vandagriff this offseason to replace Devin Leary who is off to the League.

    Texas A&M – Ah, yes. The beginning of the Mike Elko era is here. How will that go? I guess the better question is how do these eras ever go in College Station. Luckily for Elko, he's got himself a real ballplayer with QB Conner Weigman who will be looking to remain healthy for a full season in 2024.

     

     

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    BigTex

    This is great stuff CJ. I believe having so many new HC/QBs frontloaded on the schedule gives coach K opportunities to scheme and disrupt, greatly improving our win percentage. Bodes well for our first year in SEC country. 

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    CJ Vogel
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    1 hour ago, BigTex said:

    This is great stuff CJ. I believe having so many new HC/QBs frontloaded on the schedule gives coach K opportunities to scheme and disrupt, greatly improving our win percentage. Bodes well for our first year in SEC country. 

    That. Plus is should present an opportunity to Texas to get some youngsters on the field as well early in the season.  

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    Robert Gilbert

    It is great to see Texas as the more ‘experienced’ team each week. We have a stable HC and staff, a two year starter as QB, and as much or more depth across the board as any team Texas has ever fielded. 

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    ryantnelson02

    I was thinking back in December that UT going 10-2 for '24 should be the expectation but I'm more likely 11-1 now. Oklahoma, Michigan, and Texas A&m will not be the same talent teams they were last year. Georgia is tough but it is a home game so that is at worst a slight underdog in that game. Arkansas and Kentucky are probably the underrated trap spots, but they will both have new QB's next year. If Texas is Undefeated going into October I think they go 11-1. If Quinn takes the next step this should be a more dominant team in '24

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    Derek Handler

    This schedule has me nervous.  Feeling a lot better about Michigan though now, will be great to see if we can stop the run before SEC play.   I think we need to go 2-1 vs. Michigan, OU, and Georgia to make playoff. (assuming a loss somewhere else on schedule)

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    44 minutes ago, Robert Gilbert said:

    It is great to see Texas as the more ‘experienced’ team each week. We have a stable HC and staff, a two year starter as QB, and as much or more depth across the board as any team Texas has ever fielded. 

    Especially at the key positions. QB, OL, CB

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