Quinn Ewers describes his reaction to Texas making College Football Playoff

The phrase “Texas is back” has been used plenty over the years, often in jest at the expense of the Longhorns. Until it wasn’t.

When the final College Football Playoff rankings of the 2023 season were revealed on Sunday, Texas checked in at No. 3, earning a playoff berth and a chance to compete for a national championship.

“Y’all probably heard it, everyone was going crazy,” quarterback Quinn Ewers said. “We should. We’ve worked so hard.”

As the matchup was revealed, Texas players and coaches alike were celebrating wildly. The Big 12 program will get a chance to take on the Pac-12 champion in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Washington will certainly provide an ample challenge, but Texas is ready for it after years of working through some tougher times to get to the point of competing for a national tiitle.

“We’ve came so far from some of these guys that were on that 5-7 team, to where we are now, there’s no better feeling for those guys and I’m just glad to be a part of a team that is able to enjoy it that much because they know what it’s like to be disregarded at 5-7,” Ewers said.

Texas feels good about its chances

Head coach Steve Sarkisian and his team did something major this season: Get over the hump and get Texas into the College Football Playoff. And the Longhorns aren’t there just to play a game and cash a check.

Speaking with reporters after learning Texas’ matchup — against No. 2 Washington in the Sugar Bowl — Sarkisian said he believes his squad can play with anyone in the country. And that’s not just because of some offensive firepower, either.

“I feel good. I’ve always felt like if we can get in, we can play with anybody in the country. And part of that is, I think, the versatility of our team matters,” Sarkisian said.

He continued, highlighting Texas’ depth on the lines, bevy of playmakers on offense and defense and a sterling special teams unit.

“We’re good up front on both sides of the line of scrimmage. We’ve got real playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, whether it’s wideout, tight end, running backs, quarterback, we’re really starting to create the turnovers on defense, which is important. We’re defending the run really well. We’ve been an excellent special teams operation all year long. Bert Auburn’s had a great year, Ryan Sanborn, Will Stone, Keilan Robinson, Xavier Worthy, we’re blocking kicks, so I thought the versatility of our team and that we’re a complete team really stacks up with just about anybody,” Sarkisian said.

The Sugar Bowl will take place at 8:45 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, with a broadcast on ESPN.