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Greg McElroy explains why Texas ‘has the recipe’ to make first Playoff appearance in 2023
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Greg McElroy dropped his latest episode of the Always College Football Podcast on Friday with a special episode dedicated to his “Summer Superlatives.”
Throughout the episode, McElroy covered a number of wide-ranging topics including potential breakout performers and teams that could surprise in 2023. In terms of the College Football Playoff, McElroy picked 2 teams as likely to make their first appearance in 2023.
McElroy particularly noted that Washington and Florida State — coming out of breakout seasons — previously made the Playoff and are not included in the discussion. He went on to explain why he believes Steve Sarkisian’s program ‘has the recipe’ to win the Big 12 and crack the Playoff on the offensive side of the ball.
“Believe me, as a media member, (I) do fall victim to the occasional Texas fatigue… they’re pretty good y’all,” said McElroy. “And I think when you look at their roster, assuming significant growth from the QB spot, assuming the WR group could stay healthy, assuming their TE becomes a difference-maker, assuming they have a pretty dang good RB…”
McElroy also addressed the defensive side of the ball where some concerns may exist about the Longhorns. According to his analysis, he downplays concerns regarding the defense based on TCU’s run through the Big 12 a season ago:
“If you look at their defensive personnel along the line of scrimmage: they’re not the Georgia Bulldogs, they’re not Ohio State of yesteryear, they’re not the Michigan Wolverines, but they are pretty good and they have grown in that area. And remember: Who was the best team in the Big 12 and ultimately punched their ticket to the Playoff? It was TCU. Did TCU have game-changing defensive difference-makers? I’m asking the question… It’s not like they had 7 All-Americans between their safeties, linebackers and defensive front.”
Here’s the full episode, Texas conversation begins around the 8:40 mark:
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
