Rece Davis: Alabama vs. Texas is a 'put up or shut up' game

As Saturday’s top-15 showdown between Alabama and Texas quickly approaches, it feels like the stakes continue to rise. Both teams have an opportunity to improve their chances for the College Football Playoff and perhaps prove something after starting the season strong.

To ESPN’s Rece Davis, the Longhorns could be facing more pressure given the hype around them.

Texas has been the talk of NFL Draft circles with Quinn Ewers and a plethora of playmakers highlighting the offense. The Longhorns came in as the Big 12 favorite this year as they prepare to join Alabama in the SEC, and they’ve got a chance to prove themselves in Tuscaloosa Saturday night.

“If you think back, Elle, to the year that Alabama and Texas played for the national championship after the 2009 season. Since that time, Texas’ best season is still worse than Alabama’s worst season during that span,” Davis told Elle Duncan on SportsCenter Friday evening. “They haven’t won games against ranked opponents. And this is sort of a put up or shut up game, I think.

“Because many scouts will tell you they have more draftable players than Alabama, they’ve got a more experienced quarterback than Alabama. And now, we’ll see if they can handle all of that pressure against supposedly a teetering dynasty and a team that’s a little aggravated about people saying that about them.”

Last year’s Alabama vs. Texas game was one for the books. Ewers went down with an injury, meaning Hudson Card had to come in as the Longhorns’ quarterback. He did a good enough job to keep Texas in the game before a field goal propelled Alabama to the 20-19 victory.

This year, the two teams will square off in another high-profile matchup. Davis said it’s an opportunity for Sarkisian and the Longhorns to flip the script and show they can handle the spotlight, especially on the road — where they’ve struggled in two years under Sarkisian’s leadership.

“I expect them to play great because Texas has played well on these big stages from time to time,” Davis said. “What they haven’t done is consistently win these games and they haven’t won the games they’re supposed to. If you go back … nobody has more potential than Texas in terms of resources. But the Longhorns have come up short time and again. They’re 3-6 and road games under Steve Sarkisian. But this is an opportunity here.

“They’ll have a chance in the passing game, though they’ve really struggled with Quinn Ewers at quarterback taking these deep shots. He’s been good on these underneath type routes. He’s had some dropped balls, he’s had some misfires. But they hit a couple against Alabama last year. I want to look for them to take some shots in that regard. … He’ll need some big chunk plays against the Crimson Tide if they are to have this landmark victory.”