Longhorn Republic

The Texas Longhorns came up just one game shy of playing for a national championship for the second consecutive year. While the Longhorns managed to pick up two postseason wins, the 2024 season ended similarly to the previous year, knocking on the door of the championship game but not crossing the threshold. How do we consider this season in retrospect? How do we reconcile Texas having one of the few 13-win seasons in school history while also knowing there was an opportunity for more?

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns had a winning game plan in one of the only games they were at a talent disadvantage this year but couldn’t make enough plays to overcome the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes. Defensively, Texas had a clear plan to shut down the high-powered Buckeyes and executed it to perfection for most of the game, save for one major breakdown that ended up creating a deficit for Texas. Offensively, they struggled with the athleticism of Ohio State, but nearly put together enough to get the job done – with a trip to the red zone once again being the Longhorns’ Kryptonite.

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns come back to friendlier confines to take on the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes — who come into the game as favorites. The Longhorns survived the last round of the playoffs, while Ohio State has been on a tear, winning their first two games by a combined score of 83-38. The most-talented team in the country, according the 247Sports Blue Chip Ratio, the Buckeyes are living up to the billing. Can the Texas defense shut down one of the most dangerous offenses in the country or will Quinn Ewers and the Texas offense need to play their best game of the year?

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns took an early lead but let the No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils creep back into the game and forced a double-overtime when Texas stars took over and won the game. Quinn Ewers operated the offense efficiently for what could have been two game-winning drives, before throwing a 4th and 13 miracle and a following touchdown to win the game. What broke down for Texas and what changed for them to come out on top/?

The No. 5 Texas Longhorns are headed back to Atlanta to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second round of the College Football Playoffs. After being picked to finish last in the Big 12, ASU took home the crown and received a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Star running back Cam Skattebo and the Sun Devils ran all over Iowa State in the Big 12 title game, but have not squared off against a defense like the Longhorns.