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It’s been a dramatic break since the Texas Longhorns last played a game.
Head coach Tom Herman parted ways with defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, while Tim Beck was demoted from offensive coordinator to quarterbacks coach, leaving voids at the two top assistant coaching positions. Both have now been filled, with former Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash stepping in on defense and Ohio State Buckeyes passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich taking over on the offense. Between those two hires, Texas signed 17 players as part of the early signing period, with eight of them slated to join the team following the Alamo Bowl.
But for one last time in the 2019 season, the focus shifts back to what is happening on the field.
After an up-and-down season, the Longhorns look to close a season, as well as a decade, on a more positive note than what came before as they square off against the No. 11 Utah Utes right down I-35 in the Alamo Bowl.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Longhorns should be as close to full-strength as they have been all season, with senior wide receiver Collin Johnson and junior tight end Cade Brewers expected to play on Tuesday. Hopefully that gives a boost to junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger, as he struggled with consistency in three of the last four contests of the regular season.
Defensively, Texas will be thin once again as linebackers David Gbenda and Byron Vaughns were sent home after violating team rules, while senior defensive back Brandon Jones will be a game-time decision due to an undisclosed injury.
- The game against Utah could write the offseason narrative for the Longhorns.
There’s nothing to be done at this point that can quite equate to that high Texas found itself riding on Jan. 1, 2019, but with No. 11 Utah — a program that, much like Georgia, was on the cusp of a potential playoff appearance — now waiting in the wings, the Longhorns can at least salvage the tail end of their season, capture that staple victory that’s eluded them all season, and most notably, enter the 2020 offseason with some much-needed momentum.
- Get some insight into the Utah Utes from those that know them best.
- The Longhorns will be sporting a new piece of the uniform when they take the field in San Antonio.
- How can Herman and Co. create a game plan to attack a tough Utah defense?
Injury Report:
- Sophomore WR Joshua Moore (suspension) — out
- Freshman OL Reese Moore (knee) — out
- Junior DB Josh Thompson (foot) — out
- Freshman RB Jordan Whittington (groin) — out
- Freshman LB David Gbenda (suspension) — out
- Sophomore LB Byron Vaughns (suspension) — out
- Senior DB Brandon Jones (undisclosed) — game-time decision
- Junior TE Cade Brewer (ankle) — probable
- Senior WR Collin Johnson (leg) — probable
- Sophomore CB Anthony Cook (knee) — probable
- Sophomore P Ryan Bujcevski (shoulder) — will play
How to Watch:
TV: ESPN
Time: 6:30 p.m. Central
Radio: Texassports.com. Broadcasts are also available on Sirius 132, XM 199, and App Ch. 953
Online Streaming: WatchESPN
Odds: Utah -7
O/U: 55
Weather (dome): High of 61 degrees and sunny