Plus, one thing that isn’t being talked enough about…

The Texas Longhorns return atop the AP Poll for the first time since October 2008. What were you doing back then?

Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – I was in my junior year of undergrad still trying to get acclimated to the demands of FBS college football. Seems like a lifetime ago now.

Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – Finishing my victory lap semester at Texas, interning at Fox 7/doing student TV, and working at the Texadelphia at 38th and Guadalupe. I’m pretty sure it’s a Vietnamese spot now.

Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – I’m not an oldhead like Daniel and Gerald. I was in 6th or 7th grade and totally confident Texas was never going to lose another game in the history of college football. There was nothing like turning on ABC for primetime College Football and seeing Texas ruin an opponent’s life for 60 minutes.

Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – I was imitating VY and Colt on the 2nd-grade playground and beginning the foundational years of my Longhorn fandom. I remember the final game with that ranking so vividly, even now. My dad was getting a start on deer hunting season so I watched the game by myself. For better or worse, it was my first real heartbreak. Also, permanently ruined Halloween.

Whether it’s Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning at quarterback – is this year’s team good enough to run the table with either at the helm?

Daniel Seahorn – I will say yes because I think the supporting cast around Manning is strong enough to offset his limitations from an experience standpoint. Talent isn’t the issue and I think he has the mental and competitive toughness that will allow him to grow leaps and bounds from week to week if he has to guide the ship in place of Ewers.

Gerald Goodridge – Yes with an asterisk. I think Arch Manning is talented enough to run the table at quarterback. And I know Arch is “different,” but I don’t want to send a redshirt freshman on the road to Arkansas or College Station with an SEC title on the line. I also wonder what the Georgia defense would throw at an inexperienced quarterback when they come to town in the second week of SEC play.

Cameron Parker – Yes. We’ve seen talented freshmen deliver on the national stage before and I don’t see why Arch Manning would be different. He’s got an experienced offensive line, a variety of different weapons on offense, great coaching, and a fantastic defense behind him. Arch also has a knack for making big plays happen like Tua Tagavailoa and Trevor Lawrence – both of whom have won Natty’s as a freshman.

Jacob Neidig – No. Arch Manning is leaps and bounds better than the average redshirt freshman backup quarterback but he still needs time to reach a consistency of play that will allow the team to go undefeated. I’d argue that we should pump the brakes on running the table as a whole, even with Ewers at the helm. It’s a long season with a lot of teams that will be eager to play Texas. Take it week by week.

What is one thing we haven’t discussed enough over the first three weeks?

Daniel Seahorn – Punters are people too. Texas has a true freshman in Michael Kern replacing a multi-year FBS starter in Ryan Sanborn and so far he has fared well. Hasn’t shanked any and hasn’t ended up kicking one backward over his head.

Gerald Goodridge – The light seems to have come on for Alfred Collins. Dude was a force in the middle over the last two weeks and I think it’s a big reason why the defense has played well. A lot of the conversation in the offseason that his development was key to filling the massive losses in the defensive interior and he seemingly has taken the next step.

Cameron Parker – Redzone Offense. Texas has scored on 94% of their redzone appearances – with one failure that came on a Jerrick Gibson fumble in the second half against UTSA. The Longhorns were 89th in RZ scoring last season, scoring on only 80% of their RZ appearances. Even bigger is Texas scoring TDs in the RZ and not settling for Field Goals – with just one FG in the RZ this season. If you don’t think that matters, just ask the Baltimore Ravens.

Jacob Neidig – Jaylon Guilbeau has been stellar this year. After two seasons where he struggled with injuries, it seems as though he’s finally getting to demonstrate his abilities. He’s been flying to the ball in run support and handling coverage in passing scenarios. Through three games, he’s third on the team in tackles and leads the SEC in tackles among secondary players. Against Colorado State, he had eight tackles. He followed that up with five tackles against Michigan including a tackle for loss and pass breakup.

With Georgia struggling against Kentucky and Oklahoma’s so-so start, has Texas become the favorite to win the SEC?

Daniel – If they aren’t the favorite then they have to be in the top two. I think Georgia will get the benefit of the doubt, but Texas is right there with them through three weeks.

Gerald – I still think you have to put Georgia at the top. Every year it feels like the SEC favorite plays one of these weird early-season conference games and uses it as a wake-up call. Georgia goes into a bye week with Alabama after, so Kirby Smart is going to be beating that into their heads for 14 days. They will come out of that bye week with their hair on fire, so I think we will have a cleaner answer to that on September 29.

Cameron – I don’t think Alabama is getting enough love. With the way Georgia struggled against Kentucky last week and the way they struggled with Alabama in the 2023 SEC Championship game, I think the Crimson Tide take down the Dawgs. Also, don’t sleep on Tennessee and Ole Miss. The Volunteers get Oklahoma this weekend so we’ll learn a lot about both teams this week but Tennessee still has Alabama and Georgia on the schedule. While Ole Miss gets Georgia, they avoid Alabama and Texas and may shock some people by reaching the SEC Championship.

Jacob – Yes. Texas has looked significantly better than Georgia through three games. Kirby Smart will undoubtedly have that team in a position to win every week, but I’m not sold on their defensive front or Carson Beck. Georgia also has to play against Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and of course, Texas. That’s a gauntlet for any team.

What is your score prediction for Saturday? Texas -44 or ULM +44?

Daniel (3-0/2-1 ATS) – ULM won their last game against my alma mater UAB despite their quarterback going 9/16 for 87 yards. If that is any indication of how they are on offense, then they are going to have an extremely tough day in Austin on Saturday. Give me another Texas 50-burger. Texas 57, ULM 3

Gerald (3-0/3-0 ATS) – Once again 44 seems like a massive number. According to FEI, ULM leads the country in defensive efficiency and is No. 4 in points per drive. That being said, they’re dead last in the relative strength of schedule, so who knows? I will go with my gut and say Texas 45, ULM 3.

Cameron (3-0/2-1 ATS) – Arch will roll and the defense will feast on ULM’s lack of passing attack. Texas 45, ULM 3

Jacob (3-0/3-0 ATS) – ULM has a first-year head coach whose team is undefeated and will have 14 days to prepare for a quarterback in his first start. I think those factors may combine into a few offensive mishaps for Texas before things get rolling. I’m still expecting a big victory, but I don’t think Texas covers. Texas 45, ULM 7