Texas Football: 4 reasons the Longhorns can upset Alabama in Week 2
An improved Quinn Ewers can lead a methodical Texas offense in the short and intermediate passing game
An obvious x-factor for the Longhorns against Alabama is the play of Ewers in the Texas passing game. Ewers needs to put his best foot forward if Texas wants the slightest chance of upsetting Alabama this weekend.
Ewers had a solid outing, outside of the deep ball struggles, in the win over Rice last weekend. He had nearly 300 total yards and four total touchdowns, including one rushing score in Week 1. Best of all, Ewers had no turnovers on 30 passing attempts and eight rushing attempts.
It’s worth noting that Ewers has not turned the ball over a single time in the last two games, which featured 77 passing attempts and 11 rushing attempts since the Alamo Bowl against Washington. That is by far the longest streak of his collegiate career without a turnover.
If Ewers can take care of the football and lead a methodical passing attack for the Texas offense against Alabama, that will open up the playbook and give Sark an easier time running the ball in the second half. Ewers needs to connect in the short and intermediate passing game, which he did nearly perfectly in Week 1 against Rice.
The RPO was also a big part of Ewers’ success against Rice last weekend. He was a perfect 7-of-7 passing, for 86 yards, one passing touchdown, and no turnovers in the RPO passing game in Week 1.
Assuming Ewers is efficient in the RPO passing game again this weekend against Alabama will steady the Texas offense in a difficult environment under the lights at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Ewers has the weapons at the skill positions to move the sticks. He has to be methodical and efficient in getting the ball in their hands to keep the Alabama defense on its heels.
Texas must quickly get the ball out of Ewers’ hands on Sep. 9 to avoid the interior pressure becoming an issue. That’s why the short and intermediate passes and RPO plays can be so crucial for the Longhorns this weekend.