Opening & Sponsorship
- Welcome to episode 95 of Texas Longhorns Live.
- Sponsored/presented by FanDuel (Voice of College Football).
- FanDuel odds at the time: Texas at +700 to win the 2026 national championship (behind Ohio State at +550; previously Texas/Notre Dame were co-favorites). Hosts debated if Texas deserved better/equal odds to Ohio State.
S&P+ Rankings Discussion (Bill Connelly/ESPN)
- Big Ten has stronger top-end talent (Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, etc.) recently, while SEC has better overall depth.
- Hosts agreed the gap at the absolute top between conferences isn't as massive as portrayed.
- SP+ initial 2026 projections (approximate from discussion): Ohio State #1, then Oregon/Indiana, with Texas around #4–6 (Georgia also high in SEC). Hosts felt Texas should rank higher (top 3–4) and questioned the large gap between Ohio State and the next teams.
- Key factors in SP+: returning production (Texas elite, especially offense), recent history, recruiting/transfers, coaching changes.
- Takeaway: Top 5–6 teams (Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgia, Indiana, Texas) feel tightly bunched; small differences could shift dramatically by fall. Hosts suggested using such power ratings to inform future non-conference scheduling for better balance.
New Roster Additions
- Paris Patterson (OL transfer, SMU via Arkansas): 6'5", 323 lbs, multi-time transfer with two years eligibility left. Limited snaps at SMU (21 offensive, 5 pass-blocking in recent season) but solid in small sample. High-school four-star with size/athleticism ("big lump of clay").
- Hosts viewed it as potentially depth insurance or a high-ceiling developmental piece under Kyle Flood. Concern: Late addition (weeks into spring) might signal interior OL depth/competition worries (e.g., Dylan Sikorski, Devin Coleman, Nicholas Robertson not fully stepping up yet; Laurence Seymour recently declared eligible).
- Optimistic take: Flyer on raw talent that could contribute in 2027+ if not needed immediately. Pessimistic: If he plays meaningful snaps in 2026, OL depth might be thinner than hoped.
- Jackson Cook (2027 OL recruit, Westlake HS): 3-star interior lineman (guard/tackle versatility), physical/"nasty" player with good motor, length, and run-game attitude. Needs to add weight (~290 lbs now).
- Hosts praised Westlake pipeline and Cook's fit for adding "nastiness" and road-grading ability the offense has sometimes lacked. Likely redshirt/developmental (not day-one starter). Positive for 2027 class building (alongside Easton Royal, etc.). Early offer strategy helps retention.
- Broader context: OL remains a watch area (starters look strong, but depth and consistency questioned). Spring game will be key for evaluating backups and pressure allowed.
Spring Practice Intel
- Steve Sarkeesian comments:
- Colin Simmons (EDGE): Sark has to "keep him from ruining practice" by dominating too much—seen as high praise for his disruptive ability, not an OL indictment.
- Justin Cryer (LB, transfer): Standing out early; could provide valuable depth/rotation snaps.
- Derrek Cooper (freshman RB): Emerging quickly; already in top-three mix with Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. Addresses need for power/backfield depth.
- Positive vibes on linebacker depth (Biles, Smith, Atkinson, Spence, Cryer) and RB room upgrades.
- Lingering concerns: Offensive line (no strong public Sark praise yet; new bodies suggest fluidity). Depth questions if injuries hit LB/OL.
- Overall: Encouraging individual standouts, but full picture (especially OL cohesion) won't clarify until later (summer/fall camp for some transfers/freshmen).
What Constitutes Success in 2026?
- Broad goals: Win total over 9.5; make CFP; ideally reach SEC title game/final four.
- Hosts' takes:
- Matthew Miller: Must reach the national championship game (all-in roster moves, portal activity, and talent upgrades demand it). Losing there is still success. Defense (under new DC Will Muschamp) cannot regress. Minimum three first-round NFL Draft picks (Arch Manning, Colin Simmons, Cam Coleman as baseline; others like Goosby/Wingo/Biles could add more). Relatively healthy team expected.
- Thomas Bresee: High expectations due to elite roster (best Sark has had—Arch at QB, top talent at skill positions, OL, EDGE). Not strictly "title or bust" (football variance is real—bounces, injuries, etc.), but missing a deep run with this group would feel like a missed window. No more excuses; execute on margins (run game, time of possession, turnovers). Depth at certain spots (OL, LB) is the main question mark.
- Consensus: This feels like Sark's best shot. Strong roster build + coaching changes (e.g., Muschamp) must yield results. National title ideal but not the only measure of success; falling short of final four or major regression would disappoint given the talent.
Closing
- Calls to like/subscribe, check FanDuel, follow on audio platforms and new/revamped X account (polls/content).
- Standard sign-off: "Hook 'em!"
The episode balanced optimism about Texas' talent (especially skill positions and Arch Manning) with realistic concerns around OL depth/cohesion and the high bar set by roster construction. Spring updates leaned positive on individuals but left some positional questions open until more practices/game footage.
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