Pound for Pound: Hook ‘em or hokum?

Published 10:30 am Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Texas fans chanted two things following the Longhorns’ impressive 34-24 win inside Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday.

There was the old standard “S-E-C!” usually shouted by fans from within the conference that has dominated college football with nine of the last 13 national championships won. The Longhorn faithful, not yet members of the SEC, were of course using it in a taunting manner, which has also been known to happen when SEC teams lose non-conference games.

There’s been ample opportunity for that in the young 2023 season as the Southeastern Conference is just 3-6 against Power 5 non-conference opponents thus far. Florida lost at Utah, LSU fell to the resurgent FSU Seminoles, and Texas A&M got embarrassed late at Miami Saturday before the Crimson Tide fell to Texas, among other shortfalls.

Texas fans could also be heard rhythmically yelling, “We want Georgia!” following the Horns’ landmark win over the weekend. The back-to-back national champion Bulldogs are the envy of the nation. Teams who want that on-top status know the only way there is through Athens. Doesn’t it feel great Dawg fans?

As for Texas’ wish, if the Longhorns and Bulldogs did meet right now, the Lone Star State’s namesake university would probably win and finally make good on former UT quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s “We’re baaaaaack” proclamation made after he and Texas beat UGA in the 2019 Sugar Bowl.

But the two teams will not meet this weekend or next. In fact, the earliest that game could take place is New Year’s Day 2024 in one of the two College Football Playoff semifinals. Heaven knows what the playoff picture looks like in December or even a month from now.

Just like Ehlinger’s declaration four years ago, the Texas fans may be chanting hastily after beating what many perceive to be a down Alabama team this year. They may want Georgia now, but will they even get the chance after tripping up against Kansas State and/or Texas Tech in November? If neither of those things happen, the Longhorns may get that shot they so desperately want.

To that I pose the question: how did that work out for the Ohio State Buckeyes last year?