Staff Roundtable: Can Texas pull out a win against A&M with an injured Quinn Ewers?

It’s probably the most anticipated college football game of the 2024 season: restoring the rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies. What was your favorite moment from the Lone Star Showdown?

Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – “Run Ricky Run” and “Justin Tucker Walk It Off” are the two moments that immediately stand out to me. Ricky Williams going into beast mode in Austin is one of my earliest memories of this rivalry from my childhood, while the Tucker kick has been etched in my mind for over a decade.

Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – It’s really easy to say that Justin Tucker’s field goal won their game last time out, and I won’t blame anyone for saying that, but I think it was the drive that led to it – and especially the attempt by Case McCoy to bring them into the field target range. The feeling of the air slowly coming out as people realized that everything was academic at this point once Case got them within Tucker’s reach.

Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – The scramble for Case McCoy that set up Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal. By the end of the night, you could barely see the name and number on the back of his jersey because of the beating he had taken. But Texas won’t win this game without its heart.

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

Despite everything that happens Saturday, is Texas a “lock” for the College Football Playoff?

Daniel – I don’t want to call them a lock, but I think the chaos that erupted last weekend has certainly increased their chances of getting there, regardless of what happens on Saturday. I have a hard time imagining the committee leaving out a 10-2 Texas team when things aren’t going well in College Station.

Gerald – I don’t think so, especially since an unlikely setback means Texas was soundly beaten by the two evenly matched teams they played. I think it will be hard to keep a 10-2 Texas team out in any other context, but this specific result would be a major argument for keeping the Horns out.

Cameron – I think they would be in a pretty good position in the playoffs, but would lose home advantage.

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

What worries you most as you head to College Station: Quinn Ewers’ ankle or the fumble issues?

Daniel – Ewers’ ankle injury is a definite because he plays the most important position on the field and the last thing you want is him playing an awkward role back there against a formidable back 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 loosen up the defense and bring in the elite linemen A&M has on his heels, things will become much more difficult for the Texas offense.

Cameron- Quinn’s ankle. The fumble issues will likely crop up later this season and lead to a critical moment, but Texas needs Ewers to win this game. I believe a key element of Sark’s game plan will be to attack A&M with short and intermediate throws, which Quinn could accomplish after the injury against Kentucky. What scares me is if the Aggies rush increases and Quinn keeps getting hit. Texas can’t afford to live in second-and-long situations in this game.

Jacob – I agree with Gerald. The offense is going like #3. As for the ankle, I’m more worried about what it’s doing to Quinn mentally. He is at his best when he remains calm and mobile in the pocket. A bad ankle can make him or any quarterback nervous. He needs good footwork to make all the throws on the field, and that’s difficult when you’re nervous or relying solely on a good ankle.

Texas beats Texas A&M if…

Daniel – They remain calm and play with discipline 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 solid deployment football, which limits Marcel Reed’s ability to destroy them in zone play.

Cameron- Texas beats A&M as long as they don’t beat themselves. Texas cruised against Kentucky and what happened next? They started putting the ball on the ground and suddenly it was a game. The Aggies are a good football team, but with a lack of depth at running back and a rookie at quarterback, Texas can play its game and win.

Jacob – The offense limits turnover. Giving A&M more possession with a short field will be one of the few ways to score. Texas has to keep at it.

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