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It seems like every sports fan who does not know how to write in cursive was captivated by the potential EA Sports College Football 25 cover leak this past week.
For those who do not understand that reference, children are no longer taught how to write in script. If you say cross your Ts and dot your Is to a child currently in elementary school, they will have no clue what you are talking about. These kids can easily navigate a virtual world on their iPads but need an e-signature to sign their names, and few of them would know if the finished product was correct.
Young people are super pumped about this video game. As a person who barely knows how to use his iPhone, I am content to let them enjoy their moment. However, all the hype about the game made me think about Quinn Ewers, but not like a teenager with a gaming chair who talks trash to an opponent he is playing in a different country. I thought about how important Ewers is to the Longhorns having a successful season in 2024.
Let’s talk about Quinn.
For full disclosure, I have stood on the table for Ewers since he arrived at Texas. I always believed Ewers would have success as a Longhorn quarterback. He seemed destined for greatness on the 40 Acres. I never believed Hudson Card was better than Ewers. I passed on the possibility that Maalik Murphy could compete against Ewers for the QB1 spot. In addition, I have told anyone who might listen that Arch Manning will be a great quarterback after Ewers departs for the NFL.
I’m Team Quinn.
Sam Ehlinger deserved a lot of credit for stabilizing the quarterback room. Before Ehlinger, the Longhorn quarterbacks were David Ash, Tyrone Swoopes, Jerrod Heard, and Shane Buechele. They were not standouts at Texas.
However, Ewers has been the best quarterback at Texas since Colt McCoy.
Here are the notable accomplishments on his Texas bio:
--- A third-year quarterback who has played in and started 22 games
--- His 5,656 career passing yards rank eighth all-time in Texas history and 37 career passing touchdowns are tied for seventh
--- A 2023 AP All-Big 12 Second Team selection
--- 2023 Big 12 Championship Game Most Outstanding Player
Ewers was the second-ranked quarterback in the Big 12 when measured through passing yards per game (289.9). He compiled 3,470 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, six interceptions, completed 69 percent of his passes, and finished with a 158.59 passer rating.
How good does Ewers need to be for Texas to win an SEC title?
I examined the quarterback numbers for the past 10 SEC Championship teams and where they ranked in the conference, according to passing yards per game.
2023 – Alabama: Jalen Milroe finished eighth in the conference with 2,834 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 65.8 completion percentage, and a 172.17 passer rating.
2022 – Georgia: Stetson Bennett finished fourth in the conference with 4,127 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 68.3 completion percentage, and a 161.19 passer rating.
2021 – Alabama: Bryce Young finished second in the conference with 4,872 passing yards, 47 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 66.9 completion percentage, and a 167.52 passer rating.
2020 – Alabama: Mac Jones finished second in the conference with 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, four interceptions, a 77.4 completion percentage, and a 203.06 passer rating.
2019 – LSU: Joe Burrow finished second in the conference with 5,671 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 76.3 completion percentage, and a 201.96 passer rating.
2018 – Alabama: Tua Tagovailoa finished third in the conference with 3,966 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, six interceptions, completed 69 percent of his passes, and compiled a 199.44 passer rating.
2017 – Georgia: Jake Fromm finished seventh in the conference with 2,615 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 62.2 completion percentage, and a 160.09 passer rating.
2016 – Alabama: Jalen Hurts finished tied for ninth in the conference with 2,780 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, nine interceptions, a 62.8 completion percentage, and a 139.12 passer rating.
2015 – Alabama: Jake Coker finished fourth in the conference with 3,110 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, eight interceptions, a 66.9 completion percentage, and a 146.96 passer rating.
2014 – Alabama: Blake Sims finished third in the conference with 3,487 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, a 64.5 completion percentage, and a 157.87 passer rating.
---The quarterbacks who won the SEC Championship typically ranked within the top three in passing yards per game in the conference.
--- The average number of touchdowns thrown by SEC Championship quarterbacks is 34. Ewers finished with 22 last season.
--- The average completion percentage is 70 percent. Ewers finished with 69, which is on par.
--- The average passer rating is 166. Ewers finished with a 158.59 passer rating.
--- The average passing yards in a season for the SEC Championship-winning quarterbacks over the past 10 years is approximately 3,797. Ewers finished with 3,470 passing yards last season.
Overall, the main area Ewers needs to improve is passing touchdowns.
When I think about Ewers, I remember a stat I shared earlier this year.
Basically, Texas will not have a shot to win the SEC without an outstanding defense.
Let us take a look at the SEC champions over the past 10 seasons:
Year – SEC Champion (Offensive rank/Defensive rank)
2023 – Alabama (8th/2nd)
2022 – Georgia (2nd/1st)
2021 – Alabama (2nd/2nd)
2020 – Alabama (2nd/3rd)
2019 – LSU (1st/9th)
2018 – Alabama (1st/3rd)
2017 – Georgia (5th/2nd)
2016 – Alabama (4th/1st)
2015 – Alabama (5th/1st)
2014 – Alabama (2nd/3rd)
* It is nearly impossible to win the SEC Championship without an outstanding defense. Outside of LSU winning a national title with the league’s ninth-ranked defense in 2019, no champion has finished with a defense ranked less than third.
* On three occasions, the SEC Champion had the top-ranked defense.
* Overall, LSU had the nation’s best offense in 2023 (Texas was ranked 9th).
* However, Georgia’s defense was ranked 9th and Alabama finished 18th (both teams appeared in the SEC title game.
* Texas finished 35th.
This is what it took to win the Big 12.
Year – Big 12 Champion (Offensive rank/Defensive rank)
2023 – Texas (3rd/1st)
2022 – Kansas State (6th/4th)
2021 – Baylor (5th/4th)
2020 – Oklahoma (1st/3rd)
2019 – Oklahoma (1st/6th)
2018 – Oklahoma (1st/10th)
2017 – Oklahoma (1st/4th)
2016 – Oklahoma (2nd/5th)
2015 – Oklahoma (4th/1st)
*2014 – Baylor (1st/4th)
*2014 – TCU (2nd/1st)
2013 – Baylor (1st/4th)
*2012 – Kansas State (7th/3rd)
*2012 – Oklahoma (4th/4th)
2011 – Oklahoma State (2nd/7th)
2010 – Oklahoma (2nd/4th)
2009 – Texas (5th/1st)
2008 – Oklahoma (1st/3rd)
* Finished tied for the conference championship
Overall, it took a strong offense and “good defense” to win the Big 12.
Meanwhile, here is a look at how Texas finished offensively and defensively in the Big 12 during that time:
Year – Offensive rank/Defensive rank
2023 – Texas (3rd/1st)
2022 – Texas (5th/2nd)
2021 – Texas (3rd/8th)
2020 – Texas (2nd/6th)
2019 – Texas (2nd/7th)
2018 – Texas (6th/3rd)
2017 – Texas (7th/3rd)
2016 – Texas (5th/7th)
2015 – Texas (8th/7th)
2014 – Texas (9th/2nd)
2013 – Texas (6th/6th)
2012 – Texas (6th/5th)
2011 – Texas (7th/1st)
2010 – Texas (8th/1st)
2009 – Texas (5th/1st)
2008 – Texas (5th/1st)
Here is what Sportsline.com recently said about Ewers:
"Ewers spearheaded Texas' run to its final Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, in which the Longhorns lost to Washington. He finished with 3,479 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and six picks. He also rushed 59 times, gaining 75 yards and scored five times. Ewers missed two midseason games due to injury, with Maalik Murphy (rather than Manning) starting those games against BYU and Kansas State. Murphy has transferred out. Manning has said he would not be leaving in the past, but would he really want to waste two full NCAA seasons?
The CBS Sports Big Board for the 2024 NFL Draft ranked Ewers as the No. 30 overall prospect, the seventh-best QB behind Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., JJ McCarthy and Shedeur Sanders. Those first four are going pro, while McCarthy hasn't decided (he seems likely to leave). Sanders is expected back at Colorado. Thus, Ewers could be among the top NFL QB prospects in next year's draft if he has a big season."
Let the young people enjoy Ewers on the cover of their game.
My focus will remain on Ewers as a real-life quarterback.
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Okay, Drake needs to fight Kendrick
Guaranteed to make you smile
He needs new friends
Speaking of needing new friends (bad language alert)
Whatever he is drinking, I do not want it
Sports On A Dime
1. Alex and I had a great transfer portal discussion on Friday. We agreed that Texas does not need to acquire a lot of players who can compete for a starting position – except one. Instead, Texas could acquire depth and players to compete for playing time in future years.
Alex’s Rankings
5. Linebacker
4. Interior offensive line
3. Linebacker
2. Defensive tackle (because of the high number of seniors)
1. Punter
Anwar’s Rankings
5. Linebacker
4. Safety
3. Tight End
2. Defensive tackle (because of the high number of seniors)
1. Punter
2. I was told not to be surprised if Jay’Vion Cole hits the ground running at Texas. San Jose State played a lot of quarters coverage, which is similar to Texas’ defense. The defensive concepts will not be new for Cole. His biggest challenge will be learning the play calls and signals. Once Cole masters that area, the staff believes he will be good to go.
3. Here is a list of the Longhorn football players who graduated on Saturday
Paxton Anderson, Sport Management, Education track
Jahdae Barron **, Physical Culture & Sports, Education track
Vernon Broughton **, Physical Culture & Sports, Education track
Derrian Brown (former), Physical Culture & Sports, minor in Communication
Jermichael Finley **, (former) Physical Culture & Sports, Education track
Tannahill Love, Sport Management, minor in Business
Gabriel Lozano, Finance (MSF)
Ryan Sanborn, Strategic Communication, Graduate Certificate
Ryan Watts, Communication & Leadership
*Summer 2024 graduates approved by college to participate in Spring 2024 ceremonies
** Expected December 2024 graduates approved by college to participate in Spring 2024 ceremonies
4. The fruits of Texas offensive line coach Kyle Flood’s labor will be displayed in the upcoming years. Turning Christian Jones into an NFL Draft pick is one of the best coaching jobs we have seen in years. Kelvin Banks should be a top 10 draft pick, Jake Majors is a draft prospect, and DJ Campbell has an NFL future. Flood is worth every penny.
5. Gunnar Helm is seemingly ready to take over as Steve Sarkisian’s lead tight end
6. Here is an encouraging message to every Longhorn fan
7. CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd published his post-spring rankings and Texas was fourth on the list. Georgia was ranked first, followed by Ohio State and Oregon (Alabama is fifth).
“There are no excuses for Texas, at least offensively. Quinn Ewers is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Arch Manning made the country's biggest statement for a backup quarterback in the spring game. Peyton and Eli's nephew threw for 355 yards, including a pair of 75-yard scores. If the defense can just play at an average level in the program's SEC debut season, pencil the Longhorns in for another playoff spot. Pre-spring ranking: 3”
8. Kansas to the SEC? Are you buying this story by The Kansas City Star?
“Greg Flugaur’s name may be unfamiliar to most sports fans, but two years ago he had one of biggest college football scoops in recent memory. Well before it was picked up major media outlets, Flugaur shared on Twitter (now X) that Southern California was pondering a move to the Big Ten Conference. That short history lesson is important to note because Flugaur mentioned this week on his YouTube channel that the Southeastern Conference is pondering further expansion. And if the SEC makes the move to get to 20 schools, it would invite Virginia, Clemson, North Carolina and Kansas, Flugaur said. “Kansas at 20,” is Flugaur’s catchphrase about that possibility. As we’ve learned from conference realignment in the past, there is always plenty of speculation about potential changes. And we also know the college sports landscape is ever-changing. Sometimes that involves moves few people could have imagined (like USC to the Big Ten). Does this mean KU is prepared to bolt for the SEC? Of course not. But some Kansas fans were pretty darn excited about the possibility of it happening one day. Others, however, hated the idea.”
9. Iron Mike
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