ANN ARBOR, MICH. – The Longhorns delivered a Big House Beating on the reigning national champions in a 31-12 victory over the Michigan Wolverines in a Top 10 battle. It was the second straight season that the Horns walked away from a nationally ranked road test in Week 2 with a double-digit victory after pulling the same trick against Alabama in 2023. 

Texas (2-0) dominated from the opening drive even if the 13-play, 51-yard march ended with a missed field goal attempt following a Quinn Ewers touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore being called back for a questionable holding call. Michigan (1-1) went three-and-out on the ensuing possession before Texas drew first blood when Ewers found tight end Gunnar Helm for a touchdown with 3:06 left in the 1st quarter. 

Steve Sarkisian’s crew never looked back. Texas led 24-3 while controlling every aspect of the game. Texas outgained Michigan 237 to 71 and ran 39 plays compared to the Wolverines’ 14 in the first half. Texas recorded 11 more first downs over the span and went 8 of 10 on third downs. The Horns elected for control over flash in the second half as they slowly choked any remaining life from the maize and blue.  

THREE THOUGHTS 

Quinn Ewers loves big games: The third-year Texas quarterback isn’t without imperfections, but those rarely surface in important games. Big Game Quinn was back at it in Week 2 with a stellar performance against a still solid Michigan defense. He looked like the calmest person in the Big House early as he sidestepped pressure and cut up the Wolverines like he was preparing Sunday dinner. Ewers finished the game 24 of 36 for 246 yards and three touchdowns to zero interceptions. He started the game 12-of-16. 

Ewers threw for 349 in the Week 2 win over Alabama last year. He went for over 300 against Oklahoma and then set a Big 12 championship game record with 452 yards against Oklahoma State. Even in the Washington loss in the Sugar Bowl, he tossed for 318 yards and didn’t throw an interception. The Southlake Carroll product doesn’t shrink in the spotlight, which is good news for a Texas program that plans to be in it from here on out. 

The Texas defense is better in 2024: Not many programs could lose the Outland Trophy winner and the highest-drafted pick in the NFL draft on defense and improve, but that’s exactly what Texas pulled off between 2023 and 2024. Even without Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat, the Horns are legit. The edges are improved with transfer Trey Moore and true freshman Collin Simmons added to the mix as pass rushers. Anthony Hill looks like a future NFL player at middle linebacker. And the experienced portal adds at defensive tackle combined with returners like Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton have prevented a big drop off in the middle of the defense. 

But the main improvement is in the secondary. The Longhorns will face tougher tests in the passing game than Michigan offered, but the early returns are great. Texas shutout a pass-happy Colorado State team in Week 1 and stole Michigan’s lunch in Week 2. Andrew Mukuba is a difference-maker at free safety, as he showed with an interception and several bone-crunching hits. Malik Muhammad is as advertised at corner. Jahdae Barron has settled in nicely at the opposite corner spot while Jaylon Guilbeau hasn’t missed a beat at nickel. Derek Williams Jr. had a pick and Michael Taffee finished with four tackles. 

The roof is the ceiling: Don’t pump the brakes on 2024 expectations for the Longhorns – this team is one of the best in the country. An expanded playoff field doesn’t mean 12 teams in the nation field rosters that can win the national championship. That remains possible for a handful of teams across the country. Texas is clearly one of those teams alongside the likes of Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and maybe Ole Miss. 

What is the weak spot for the Longhorns after two weeks? The offensive line is outstanding. The quarterback is poised. The wide receiver room is deep. The tight end room is led by the emerging Gunnar Helm. And the defense was lights out. Perfect seasons are probably relics of the past because of bloated super conferences and years as long as the NFL regular seasons, but don’t get it twisted – Texas is a contender.