Posted on

Analyzing the Texas Longhorns schedule using the ESPN matchup predictor.

Analyzing the Texas Longhorns schedule using the ESPN matchup predictor.

The Texas Longhorns are no longer undefeated. You are no longer number 1 in the rankings. In both surveys. Frankly, they look more vulnerable than at any point in the last two seasons.

The Horns failed their big test on Saturday against Georgia. Failed pretty miserably. Nothing clicked on either side of the ball as the Bulldogs rolled past Texas 30-15.

It’s hard to know what Texas really is now. Was it just a bad day at the office? Was it a mental loss that Georgia really wanted to win while Texas read its own headlines? Were the Longhorns “taking pictures” and “doing superstar things,” as Georgia coach Kirby Smart suggested?

Was the secondary exposed or flat? Was the offensive line overrated or simply beaten on a bad night?

Quinn Ewers is a big concern. He never seemed comfortable. He never looked more confident than he did against Michigan. He was replaced. Then he was substituted on again. His lack of mobility was clearly evident. His arm strength wasn’t good. Is this still Quinn’s team?

A month ago, we took a look at Texas’ schedule through the eyes of the ESPN matchup forecaster. At the end of September, Texas was the favorite in all remaining games. The largest lead came against the Georgia Bulldogs, where the Longhorns had a projected win rate of 72.5%. And look how that worked out.

Of course, if a team has a 72.5% chance of winning, that also means they have a 27.5% chance of losing. So, in theory, Georgia has beaten the odds.

After the disastrous weekend in Texas, we wanted to take a look at whether and how the odds have changed for the remaining games on the schedule.

Oct. 26: Vanderbilt Commodores

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Matchup Predictor:Texas 90.6%

Location: FirstBank Stadium – Nashville, Tennessee

Time: 3:15 p.m. CT

series: Texas leads 8–3–1

A month ago, the Texas advantage was 93.8%. Since then, Vandy beat Alabama and Texas lost to Georgia. It only moved by 3 percentage points.

November 9: Florida Gators

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Matchup Predictor:Texas 91.3% to win

Location: Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium – Austin, Texas

Time: 11am CT

series: Texas leads 2-0-1

A month ago, Texas had 96.2%. A drop of 5 percentage points, but still a pretty safe bet.

November 16: Arkansas Razorbacks

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Matchup Predictor:Texas 87.0% to win

Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium – Fayetteville, Arkansas

Time: 11am CT

series: Texas leads 56-23

A month ago this was 86.7%. Despite a big Hogs win over Tennessee and a Horns loss, things are actually on the rise for Texas.

November 26: Kentucky Wildcats

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Matchup Predictor:Texas 94.8% to win

Location: Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium – Austin, Texas

Time:TBD

series: Texas leads 1-0

The odds of Texas winning are down slightly from the 95.1% chance a month ago. It is roughly unchanged.

November 30: Texas A&M Aggies

Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Matchup Predictor:Texas 75.8% to win

Location: Kyle Field – College Station, Texas

Time:TBD

series: Texas leads 76–37–5

The Aggie game represents the biggest change from last month, when Texas had an 85.9% lead. A&M looks better and Texas looks worse, but right now the Horns are still the heavy favorite.