Success or Failure? Evaluating the Texas Longhorns 2024 Season

The Texas Longhorns’ 2024 football season carries significant weight in the context of both the program’s rich history and its ambitions for the future. With a new conference alignment, roster changes, and high expectations, the evaluation of their season is bound to be a nuanced one. While it is still early in the season, we can begin to look at the factors that would shape how fans, analysts, and players themselves perceive the team’s performance.

Preseason Expectations

The 2024 season began with lofty expectations for the Longhorns. After a promising 2023 season that saw them earn a berth in the Sugar Bowl and end the year with a top-10 ranking, Texas was hoping to build on that momentum. The team returned several key players from 2023, including quarterback Quinn Ewers, who showed flashes of brilliance in his first full season as the starter. Head coach Steve Sarkisian, entering his third season at the helm, was expected to have the team operating at a high level of consistency.

Offensively, Texas had the potential to be a powerhouse. With Ewers leading a talented receiving corps, including Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington, the offense was expected to be dynamic. Add to that a powerful running back room, led by Jonathan Brooks, and it was clear the Longhorns had the weapons to succeed.

Defensively, Texas was also looking solid, with playmakers like defensive lineman Baron Browning and a strong secondary anchored by safety Jerrin Thompson and cornerback Ryan Watts. While the defense had been inconsistent in previous seasons, there was optimism that 2024 would be the year they fully clicked under defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.

Perhaps the biggest storyline was the Longhorns’ impending move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2024. The program had been eager to join the SEC, historically the toughest and most competitive conference in college football, but it would also add an element of pressure as Texas faced stiffer competition than ever before. Their 2024 campaign would, therefore, serve as a critical test for both the program’s readiness for the SEC and its ability to meet expectations.

Key Games and Results

The 2024 Texas Longhorns’ season was filled with high-profile matchups that would either reinforce or challenge the program’s status as one of the nation’s elite teams. From the start, the Longhorns’ non-conference schedule featured several intriguing contests, including a season opener against a tough opponent from the Pac-12 and a marquee neutral-site game.

In conference play, the Longhorns faced perennial Big 12 powerhouses like Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Baylor. Their rivalry game against Oklahoma, always a key marker for the season, remained one of the most anticipated contests, and the Longhorns’ ability to win or lose that game would likely have significant ramifications for both their rankings and postseason hopes.

A crucial metric for evaluating Texas’ season was their ability to win against top-tier competition. Their performance against teams with similar aspirations, like Kansas State, TCU, and even traditional SEC powers, would be a litmus test for whether they could not only compete for a Big 12 championship but also assert their dominance on a national stage ahead of their SEC transition.

Key Players and Performances

As with any season, the performance of key players was instrumental in determining Texas’ success or failure. A critical evaluation of these players sheds light on the team’s overall trajectory and whether they lived up to their billing.

Quinn Ewers

Quarterback Quinn Ewers had the potential to be the difference-maker for the Longhorns. After a strong sophomore campaign in 2023, many expected him to take another step forward as a junior. However, his consistency remained an issue. While he occasionally displayed flashes of brilliance, his ability to string together elite performances against tough opponents remained in question. Ewers’ decision-making and accuracy were key areas of focus. In games against elite defenses, his performance was often a deciding factor, as Texas’ offensive rhythm was sometimes stymied by his inconsistent throws and occasional turnovers. While he had moments of greatness, his inconsistency made it difficult to call the season a definitive success.

Jonathan Brooks

The running back room, led by Jonathan Brooks, was another focal point of Texas’ season. Brooks emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the Big 12. A workhorse in the backfield, his ability to both rush the ball effectively and contribute as a receiving option made him a dual-threat. Brooks’ performance, particularly in key games, was a highlight of the season. His vision, balance, and power made him the engine of Texas’ offense, and his ability to carry the load when the passing game faltered helped keep the Longhorns competitive in several tough contests.

Defensive Standouts

The Texas defense was anchored by a talented group of playmakers. Baron Browning, an explosive pass rusher, and a secondary that featured players like Jerrin Thompson and Ryan Watts, were expected to be key contributors. Texas’ defense, however, struggled at times with consistency. While the individual talent was present, there were moments where the defense was unable to stop potent offenses, especially in high-pressure situations. This inconsistency contributed to a few close losses that could have otherwise been avoided.

Coaching and Strategy

Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s ability to manage the team and execute a solid game plan was one of the most talked-about aspects of the 2024 season. Sarkisian’s offensive schemes were highly touted before the season, and while Texas’ offense was often explosive, it was also prone to stagnation. The inability to maintain consistent offensive production, especially in critical moments, remained an issue for the Longhorns. This raised questions about whether Sarkisian could fully harness the potential of his talented roster, particularly when it came to making in-game adjustments.

Defensively, Pete Kwiatkowski’s schemes showed promise but continued to be a work in progress. Texas’ defensive line struggled to apply pressure consistently, and there were times when the secondary allowed big plays. Despite flashes of brilliance, the defense’s inability to step up when it mattered most in high-stakes games hurt the Longhorns’ chances of competing for a national title or even a Big 12 crown.

Successes and Setbacks

By the end of the 2024 season, the Texas Longhorns had certainly achieved some notable successes. Their offense, when clicking, was among the most potent in the country. The emergence of Jonathan Brooks as one of the top running backs in the nation and a strong group of wide receivers provided a foundation for the offense. The team also showed moments of resilience, coming from behind in key games to secure important victories.

However, the season also saw its share of setbacks. The Longhorns struggled to maintain consistency, particularly on defense and at quarterback. Their inability to close out games against top-tier opponents, combined with sporadic offensive struggles, resulted in a few disappointing losses that prevented Texas from reaching its full potential.

Postseason Implications and Legacy

With the college football playoff expanding in 2024, the Longhorns were hoping to secure a spot in the new 12-team format. However, several losses to teams within the Big 12 and a few stumbles against ranked opponents left Texas on the fringes of playoff contention. While they remained a highly ranked team for much of the season, the Longhorns ultimately fell short of their goals.

Looking forward, the Longhorns’ 2024 season could be viewed as a stepping stone toward future success, especially as they prepare for their move to the SEC. While it may not have been a “failure” in the traditional sense, it also wasn’t the grand success many fans had envisioned. The program is still in a state of transition, and the 2024 season demonstrated that there is much work left to do if Texas is to live up to its potential in the nation’s most competitive conference.