Check any list of the top concerns for the Texas Longhorns entering fall camp and the lack of an official starting quarterback will necessarily lead it. But Bookmaker.eu wasn’t willing to list the ‘Horns among the top-10 quarterback battles in the country.
The season-opening opponent for Texas headed it, as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish still have yet to decide between Malik Zaire (+160) and DeShone Kizer (-120).
Yet, the ongoing and soon-to-be decided battle on the Forty Acres between freshman Shane Buechele, senior Tyrone Swoopes, and sophomore Jerrod Hard didn’t make the cut.
And the reasoning for that is apparent — there’s nothing to bet on there because head coach Charlie Strong already let things slip at Big 12 Media Days:
A telltale sign: I asked Strong if his QB can be his best player. He answered by saying he's young, but just has to manage the game. But....
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) July 19, 2016
...I never mentioned Buechele's name specifically. He just assumed that's who I was talking about. And that says a lot.
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) July 19, 2016
And another tell came when I asked if more than one QB might play against ND. Strong said yes, because he wants to keep Swoopes' package.
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) July 19, 2016
So, barring an absolute upset, Buechele will take the field with Sterlin Gilbert’s first-team offense in Austin on September 4 against the Fighting Irish.
Maybe that’s not exactly news, but the good thing is that any Texas fans around Austin can decide to be godless heathens on Sunday morning and watch Buechele throw footballs.
In less than a month, he will do so with the eyes of college football upon him.
Let’s ride.