Desmond Howard, Greg McElroy debate whether Alabama upset means Texas is 'back'

After beating the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Texas Longhorns are the talk of the town. The biggest question now about the Longhorns is whether or not Texas is finally back.

During College Football Live, Desmond Howard and Greg McElroy debated whether or not Texas is back.

“I hate to disappoint you guys, I’m just not the knee jerk reaction kind of guy,” Howard said. “It’s just not who I am. Now, listen, that was a huge victory. It was a statement win on the road against a top-notch program in Alabama, but to say that they’re back, it’s still really early in the season, and that’s one of those games that since last year when they lost in Austin is one that they circled on their calendar. Going through their football facility that score.”

Howard understands the magnitude of beating Alabama on the road. However, he simply feels like one game isn’t enough to declare Texas back.

“So, that was a big game for them. Hell of a win. But to say that they’re back? I’m not quite there yet. I think when you look at their schedule, they’ve still got Oklahoma. I don’t know if people have been paying attention to the Sooners but they’ve been really scoring a lot of points lately with [Dillon] Gabriel. They’re a dangerous team. Texas Tech may be a team that can give them some problems. Kansas is playing great, Greg. So, before I say they’re back, I need to see a lot more from them, but that was a signature win Saturday night. No doubt about it.”

For his part, Greg McElroy wasn’t so sure. He pointed out that talent has never been the issue at Texas. The issue has often been the mental side of things. That win over Alabama shows that they might be past that issue.

“I think the biggest problem with Texas has not necessarily been personnel but it’s been something about their mental toughness. We’ve seen them get up in games, control games in the first half, only to see things slip away as the game goes along. I think we know now that this team is a legitimate national championship contender. Look at the odds [+850, the third best in college football]. Vegas, they didn’t get rich overnight by giving people bad odds,” McElroy said.

“Clearly they recognize the greatness that Texas potentially has, and you watch the game this past week, they get up 13-3, Alabama responds beautifully with a big play. Next thing you know, Bama takes the lead 16-13 and that momentum shift lasted for about five minutes. JT Sanders gets a big play, they answer, then it goes from really a three point deficit to an 11-point lead by taking advantage of a [Jalen] Milroe interception. So, I think the biggest thing I learned from Texas this past weekend was they have the talent naturally to compete but they also have the mental toughness to be able to weather the storm in what is a very difficult environment against a quality competition.”

Texas is now ranked fourth in the AP Poll. That’s up seven spots from last week.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers on beating Alabama

After the game, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers shared the emotions of beating Alabama.

“I wouldn’t say redemption, but like I said earlier, it sucks not to finish out that last game at home especially. But it was awesome to come in here and do what we did,” Ewers said. “It’s pretty rare. So it’s a really cool feeling.”