Here are the three Longhorns to watch against Michigan:
From the quarterback to the wideouts and everywhere in between, this Texas team coming to the Big House on Saturday is loaded.
One of the games of the year is almost here, as the Michigan Wolverines take on the Texas Longhorns in Ann Arbor this weekend. Texas comes in as the No. 3 team in the country after crushing the Colorado State Rams last week. Michigan has won 16 straight, but 15 came with a different coaching staff and roster.
Texas, however, returns several starters and is led by veterans across the roster. A couple of them will have to be the difference for the Longhorns to leave Ann Arbor with a win.
QB Quinn Ewers
Ewers is the obvious catalyst here. Entering his third season in Austin, he has been hailed as the savior of this program. In his first full year as a starter, Ewers led Texas to a 34-24 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa in Week 2, earning them a spot in the College Football Playoff later in the year.
He’s had the luxury of playing with running backs like Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Brooks, but the Texas running back room this year has been littered with injuries. Now they’re reliant on junior Jaydon Blue and freshman Jerrick Gibson, with Blue having just 80 total carries through his first two seasons at Texas.
Why is this important for Ewers? Well, he has been much less consistent when throwing on dropbacks instead of play-action passes. On3 reported after Week 1 that Ewers completed 75 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,076 yards, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions on a play-fake. But in pure dropback passes, Ewers’ numbers dipped to 61.3 percent completions for 1,384 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.
If Michigan’s defense can stop the run — thus eliminating the play-action pass — they should have a strong shot at slowing down this high-paced offense.
LT Kelvin Banks
Athlon Sports also dropped a story this week talking about the effects that blitzing has had on Ewers. “Five of his eight turnover-worthy plays came against the blitz,” said author Jacob Wayne, “Ewers had a 64.6 PFF passing grade against the blitz, which ranked 77th out of 153 qualified passers last year.”
Michigan’s defense loves to blitz, and new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale notably blitzed more than anyone else in the NFL last season with the New York Giants. In Week 1 against Fresno State, the Wolverines sent extra men on 59 percent of snaps, per the Athlon story.
The leading pass-rusher from last week was Josaiah Stewart, who earned two sacks. Derrick Moore also pressured quarterback Mikey Keene with just as much ferociousness despite not getting home. Texas’ offensive line will need a strong performance, and it is led by one of the best left tackles in the country in Kelvin Banks Jr.
Banks was a second-team All-American and an All-Big 12 first-teamer a season ago. The preseason accolades came for Banks heading into 2024, being named a preseason First-Team All-American by the AP, ESPN, CBS, Sporting News and The Athletic. He was also named a finalist for the Outland and Lombardi trophies. In the 2023 regular season, Banks allowed just one sack. He’s also been a factor in the run game.
Stewart/Moore vs. Banks will be one of the key matchups and should make a significant difference in how this game unfolds.
WR Isaiah Bond
Michigan and Bond have some history. The two faced off in the Rose Bowl last season when Bond was the second-leading receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He made some spectacular catches, including a game-clinching reception to beat the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl.
Bond is expected to be the leading receiver for a Texas group that lost their four most successful catchers from a season ago. But make no mistake, the Longhorns have absolutely reloaded with the addition of Bond and Matthew Golden from the transfer portal.
Bond started his career at Texas with five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown, while Golden had three catches for two touchdowns in the season opener.
It’s very likely we see Will Johnson matchup opposite of Bond, and the Michigan corner had a bit of a rocky start to his 2024 campaign being tested and beaten by Keene and Fresno State a handful of times. However, Johnson did end with the last laugh with the game-clinching pick-six. He’ll need a much stronger day overall to assist in slowing down Bond and the prolific Texas passing attack.
