10 CFB Things: Texas, Texas State stand atop Lone Star State (2024)

Here's a recap of everything that happened in Texas college football Week Two to prepare you for the Sunday dinner and Monday water cooler conversations.

1. Through two weeks, Quinn Ewers is the best quarterback in CFB

Quinn Ewers knew he was returning to Texas before last season's College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington. The quarterback realized 25 collegiate starts was a demarcating line in determining NFL success. Instead of declaring for a crowded quarterback draft in 2024, he opted to return to school to compete with Georgia's Carson Beck and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders for the QB1 designation in the 2025 NFL Draft.

That decision is paying off after Texas's31-12 punking of Michigan in the Big House. Ewers had a career-game with 246 passing yards and three touchdowns (a fourth was negated by penalty). Ewers has an elite supporting cast, but his growth as a passer is noticeable.

2. Texas State is the state's best G5 team

Texas State's top 20 players, specifically the skill positions, were highly regarded entering the 2024 season. But after throttling UTSA 49-10, it's clear head coach GJ Kinne has assembled the best Group of Five program in Texas. The Bobcats beat the boogeyman, securing the first win over their I-35 rival in convincing fashion. Their 35 first-half points were the most scored on UTSA in the Jeff Traylor era. Even more surprising was how Texas State out-physicaled UTSA from the opening snap.

3. Baylor's defense is taking on Dave Aranda's identity

Dave Aranda's defense held Utah to zero offensive points after the end of the first quarter, limiting the Utes to just two field goal attempts in their final seven drives. Granted, Utah was without quarterback Cam Rising after sustaining a hand injury late in the second quarter, but Baylor's defense played well enough to win. Linebackers Keaton Thomas and Matt Jones lead a Baylor defense that is fitting the run much better in 2024.

The offense, on the other hand, put up negative eight yards in their first five offensive drives, including a fumble from quarterback Dequan Finn that gifted Utah the ball on the three-yard-line. Finn, the reigning MAC Player of the Year, was uncomfortable all day, completing just 9-of-22 passes for 111 yards a score. That touchdown pass was a screen pass which wide receiver Josh Cameron took 47 yards.

4. Texas Tech's road woes are a Capital T 'Thing'

After a 37-16 loss to Washington State, Texas Tech is now 3–9 on the road in the Joey McGuire era. The Red Raiders secondary was vastly improved in Week Two, limiting Washington State quarterback John Mateer to 115 yards. But Mateer punished them on the ground, rushing for 197 yards. The offense was hampered without running back Tahj Brooks and had five turnovers.

5. SMU's offense is rudderless

We've talked extensively about the two-quarterback system, so let's focus on the rest of SMU's offense. The offensive line was overpowered by BYU on Friday night and is still rotating players through three games. The Mustangs haven't found a No.1 wide receiver since Rashee Rice left. Tight end RJ Maryland has been held to two catches for 13 yards since a massive Week One showing. While running back Brashard Smith has been a pleasant surprise, SMU hasn't found a rhythm in the first quarter of the season. A lower offensive output was expected in the jump to ACC competition, but that gauntlet hasn't ramped up yet. SMU needs to find answers over the bye week.

6. Terry Bussey is going to be an offensive weapon for Texas A&M

The five-star from Timpson originally came to College Station with plans to play defensive back. But withrunning back Rueben Owens's season ending injury and transfer wide receiver Jabre Barber still working back to full health, Bussey has played offense in the first two weeks in addition to returning duties. He made the most of his one carry on Saturday, taking it 65 yards to the house.

7. Willie Fritz is a Wizard

What a difference a week makes. Houston looked doomed after a 27-7 loss to UNLV in the season opener but responded by taking the No. 15-ranked Oklahoma Sooners to the wire in a 16-12 loss. The Cougars played inspired football for all four quarters, but some mistakes proved costly. A muffed punt gave Oklahoma the ball on the ten and their first score. Houston got the ball down 14-12 with just under two minutes in the game, but Oklahoma forced a safety.

8. Hunker Down, UTEP

FCS Southern Utah was one of the few wins circled preseason on UTEP's schedule by the media pundits. But Scotty Walden's home opener was spoiled by 14 penalties for 122 yards, a defense that allowed268 rushing yards and two costly missed field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime. The next four games against Liberty, Colorado State, Sam Houston and Western Kentucky are uphill battles.

9. Week Three's best game is on a Thursday

If Texas State's win against UTSA Saturday was a benchmark game, Thursday's bout with Arizona State could launch it into the national conversation. Arizona State looks like one of the nation's most improved teams after a 2–0 start. The Bobcats will need to regroup quickly from Saturday's emotional high.

10. UTSA's trenches are not playing to a conference championship ceiling

Jeff Traylor said after the Texas State game a lot of people will be writing off the Roadrunners. While we won't go that far, the trenches have not performed well enough to give UTSA an American Athletic Conference Championship ceiling as originally thought entering the year. The Roadrunners haven't done much running with 158 rush yards combined in the first two games. While Venly Tatafu's absence partially explains the issue, the unit's 17 tackles for loss allowed is concerning.

This article is available to our Digital Subscribers.
Click "Subscribe Now" to see a list of subscription offers.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In to access this content.