The Texas Longhorns are in the College Football Playoff and closer to winning the National Championship than they have been in over a decade, and a big reason for their success in 2023 is quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has taken the time to take care of his body, change his approach to the game, and emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the country, fulfilling the incredible promise he began his college career with in 2021. It seems fitting that Ewers, who was born in Texas, would lead the Longhorns to a Big 12 title in their final season in the conference, and maybe to their first National Championship since Vince Young led the Longhorns to the BCS title in the Rose Bowl against USC in 2005.
The Longhorns face the Pac-12 champion Washington Huskies in the CFP semifinals, and despite having the lower seed in the Sugar Bowl showdown, Texas is favored over its undefeated west coast opponent. Again, Ewers, who ESPN analyst Pat McAfee thinks has regained his “moxie, swagger, and confidence,” is a huge reason why Vegas and many others adore the Longhorns.
Quinn Ewers is coming off his best game of his young career, which surely helps. Ewers threw for 452 yards and four touchdowns against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 championship game. The Longhorns will almost certainly need a similar effort from their quarterback against the Washington Huskies, who are led by Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. and a scoring offense that finished 10th in the nation.
