- Barton doesn't care which conferences are dropping out, he just wants some football. Thinks a fall+spring season would be best, skeptical it can be pulled off.
- Quinn Ewers is the best QB since Trevor Lawrence, in Barton Simmons' mind. Obscene sophomore numbers. He's not a 'reluctant' No. 1, but an emphatic one. Resume, pedigree, ability, production are all superb.
- Ewers' commitment is an immensely positive indicator for the future of Texas football. Texas is one of those programs that cannot function without a good QB, they peaked with VY + Colt but fell off afterwards because of how QB-dependent the program is. Ehlinger arriving on campus was the turning point after the Strong debacle, he's put Texas on solid footing heading into his last year.
- Elliott doesn't think Ehlinger is an NFL guy, but he likes Card and JQJ picking up the role moving forward. Not counting out Casey Thompson. Confidence-inspiring line of succession that ends with Quinn Ewers, who will be ready to play as a true freshman. If he sits his first year, it'll be the same way Lawrence sat. Once he's under-center, Texas will have a national championship ceiling.
- Even with Milroe gone, Texas has one of the deeper QB rooms in the country and the best QB succession plan in all of college football. If Texas truly wants to be back, QB is where it starts.
- Bud Elliott thinks Ewers could potentially save Herman's tenure at Texas. Zero chance he busts. Elliott is skeptical of Texas' recent coordinator changes, he thinks the Covid outbreak has set them back installing their schemes. But Ewers' commitment is huge news for Herman. The chance at least one superstar is in the Texas QB room once Ehlinger leaves is great.
- Elliott is now all-in on Texas, after being unsure re: Herman's future. Emphasizes again how QB-driven Texas football is.
- The 2005 Texas team was crazy talented. Took a phenomenal effort from the No. 1 player in CFB to win the game. That's where the margins are in CFB right now. If you don't have a QB that can carry a team, you won't win it all. The last non-Nick Saban team to win a natty with just a decent QB was 2007 LSU with Jarrett Lee (and they had two losses!).
- Herman isn't Saban, who can use clever tricks like oversigning and skirting NCAA rules to build an elite team. He needs a QB who can put the team on his back in order to succeed.
- Simmons thought Milroe was going to be caught up in the wash, sandwiched between Card/JQJ and Ewers. He felt Milroe was an "after-the-guy" QB, in the sense that he's talented, athletic, etc. but was going to be raw coming in and therefore probably wouldn't have gotten an opportunity at UT. He goes to Alabama, which is a much better fit for him because he'll be able to sit for a couple of years behind Bryce Young before seeing the field. The move made sense for him.
- It's really tough to get a high-quality QB before and after a prospect like Quinn Ewers. Kids like to compete, but they're also realistic. It's hard to be ahead of a QB like Ewers, or behind a prospect like Bryce Young. No other QB on Ewers' level exists in the 2022 class that Alabama can sign, so Milroe's safe there.
- Alabama is #2 after adding Milroe + Monkell Goodwine in the class rankings, two points behind Ohio State for #1. They could pass Ohio State after the latter lost Tunmise Adeyele. Nick Saban's always got a plan, he's been re-energized lately.
- There are rumblings re: Herman not getting along with people in Texas administration. Elliott doesn't think he's on the hot seat, but he needs to make in to 2022 and so much depends on what happens this fall. He has a highly regarded roster, the talent should be there. Bijan on offense, a ton of talented DBs, Ossai as a edge rusher, lots of former Top 100 receivers. Elliott thinks Texas has to be in the Big 12 title game, else Herman is teetering on the edge and the pressure's on in 2021.
- Lot still depends on how Yurcich and Ash work out. They could stabilize things a bit, but it's still touch-and-go. If Herman can just make it to 2022, he'll be off-and-running with Ewers as his QB. Meanwhile blOU is still having defensive issues with arrests and suspensions, there's reason to be bullish on Texas. But TCU, Okie Lite are still threats, and Herman has shown he can't easily dominate other Big 12 programs like Riley can at blOU.
- Don't see A&M, Auburn, LSU, Bama, etc. losing to a Kentucky, or an Ole Miss (he later took back A&M). No potential for mid-tier teams to play spoiler in the SEC. But in the Big 12 the margins are thinner, with the exception of blOU. Texas will have to be careful.
- Elliott thinks four combined losses will be in the Big 12 title game. Two 8-2 teams, most likely blOU and Texas. Won't be the case in the SEC because of how the schedule is set up to favour the strongest squads.
- Bla bla bla, non-Texas stuff.