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Greetings from "Can't Wait For Saturday," your morning morsel of college football, courtesy of longtime Illini beat writer, AP Top 25 voter and Heisman state rep Bob Asmussen. He'll give you his views each day on the game he loves
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I still have a few months to change my mind. But today, Texas is again first on my Top 25 ballot.
Why? Simple, depth and talent at quarterback.
Starter Quinn Ewers showed his stuff during the 2023 season, throwing for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdown passes and six interceptions. He ran for another five scores while helping the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.
And now we know Texas is covered if Ewers gets banged up and has to miss a play or two. It is unlikely any team has a backup as good as Arch Manning, who could start for most anyone. Except Texas,
Archie's grandson and Peyton and Eli's nephew (must be eating lots of spinach at the Manning house), starred in the Texas spring game.
He threw for 355 yards and three scores, which should worry me about the defense. But Texas is going to outscore everybody.
On his first play, Manning threw a a 75-yard touchdown pass. Yikes.
Let's go ahead and project him as the Texas starter in 2025 and make him the Heisman Trophy favorite that season.
Ewers and friends play defending national champion Michigan the second game of the season, which should be fun. Even better, the Longhorns host superpower Georgia on Oct. 19, a week after playing Oklahoma.
Don't know about the rest of you, but having Texas in the national title hunt seems right. It is going to stay there for the next few years.
