Greg McElroy names Texas vs. Alabama as one of the most intriguing early season 2023 games

A matchup that produced one of the most compelling games of the 2022 college football season is back on the schedule in 2023, with the honors of hosting switching sides. And with Texas headed to play Alabama is Tuscaloosa on Sept. 9, ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy has the rematch as one of his most intriguing early season games.

The Crimson Tide went to Austin and survived a scare from the Longhorns, winning 20-19 largely on the backs of Bryce Young and Jahmyr Gibbs. Those two are now in the NFL and Texas returns quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury last year. If Ewers can play like he did early in that game last season, McElroy thinks Texas has a chance in a hostile environment.

“Texas has everything that you could possibly want. Hopefully Quinn Ewers looks like the guy that was on the field at the beginning of the season last year. Not the guy that was on at the end of the year. He didn’t play as well down the stretch. But if he can regain his form — clearly looks more confident based on his spring game performance, given the fact that Steve Sarkisian has already put his stamp of approval on him as QB1 for the Longhorns. They have excellent playmakers. Isaiah Neyor’s back healthy. Gotta fill the void that is Bijan Robinson, but either way, Texas, across the board, should be drastically improved. The roster is excellent,” McElroy said.

Along with Neyor, Texas will run out Xavier Worthy, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Johntay Cook, among others, as pass catching options. It’s an excess of riches at the offensive skill positions for the Longhorns, even with Robinson off to the NFL.

Alabama will not be an easy out, though. The Crimson Tide do need to replace Young, but head coach Nick Saban has raved about some freshmen on offense and the defense should be back to the usual, dominant Alabama defense.

If one of Ty Simpson, Tyler Buchner or Jalen Milroe can seize the quarterback job, the Crimson Tide could again be a force to be reckoned with.

“And Alabama on the other side, gotta replace the quarterback spot. Of course this game will be early in the season in Tuscaloosa. But good, solid playmakers. The defense at all three levels should be very, very solid. So a few things that they need to iron out for sure. But Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, hosting the Longhorns, should be an incredible matchup,” McElroy said.