The Texas Longhorns are back. Until they show otherwise.
That’s right, the popular expression mouthed around the nation has rang true this season as Texas has proven itself as the best the Big 12 has to offer. On Saturday, they dominated an overmatched Kansas team and proved to the nation that they’re the top team in the conference.
Texas Longhorns Dominate Kansas, 40-14
In what was a top-25 matchup at the time, Texas looked every bit the part of a College Football Playoff team on Saturday. They ran through Kansas and controlled the pace of play in an all-around dominant performance.
Paced by running back Jonathon Brooks, the Longhorns easily cruised past the Jayhawks from Austin, 40-14. It was their fifth victory of the season and arguably their best performance as an all-around team this season.
This outing, combined with their showing against Alabama, has done more than enough to showcase that Texas means business in 2023.
Quinn Ewers threw for 325 yards and a touchdown, adding two rushing scores in his quest to being known as a dual-threat quarterback. The Longhorns ran four scores in and for 336 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry on the ground.
AD Mitchell had yet another magical performance, hauling in 10 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown, while his running mate — Xavier Worthy — brought down seven catches for 93 yards.
Brooks was spelled in the backfield by CJ Baxter, who ran for 67 yards. The offensive line dictated the line of scrimmage for Texas and aided in their commanding victory.
Texas vs. Oklahoma Means More
Texas dispatched Kansas well before Oklahoma took the field on Saturday, but that didn’t stop fans from looking ahead to the Red River Showdown next week.
The annual contest between Texas and Oklahoma will truly mean more in 2023, the last time these two will meet as members of the Big 12. Heading to the SEC next season, the Red River Showdown will mean as much as it ever has in the rivalry’s history, as both teams are considered favorites to show in the Big 12 Championship Game this season.
A win here sets the stage for each team to run the table and potentially finish the season undefeated. With a potential College Football Playoff berth on the line next Saturday, it should be stated that the Texas-Oklahoma midseason classic could dictate more than any other game has this season.
The Longhorns’ resurgence to the top makes this matchup even more exciting.
Texas being ‘back’ truly makes college football better.