COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Watch out for Texas’ defense.

This unit is intense, aggressive, and incredibly solid.

On Saturday night, Texas made an impactful statement that will resonate throughout this football-obsessed state. The Longhorns asserted their dominance despite Texas A&M putting up a notable challenge.

Even when Texas QB Quinn Ewers stumbled in the second half, the Longhorns’ defense stood firm to secure the win.

No. 3 Texas overpowered their rivals, No. 19 Texas A&M, winning 17-7 at Kyle Field.

With a packed crowd of 109,028 fans, the Longhorns showcased their readiness for the demands of the SEC.

Just when it looked like A&M might close the gap in the fourth quarter, Ethan Burke broke through to stop the Aggies on a critical fourth down.

Many have attempted to take on this relentless Texas defense, and most have faltered.

“It was an absolutely dominant performance defensively tonight,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.

With this victory, the Longhorns silenced critics who claimed, “Texas hasn’t beaten anyone!” However, concerns linger about the offense’s struggle in the second half and whether it can hold up as they compete for a national title.

Arch Manning, the backup quarterback, remains highly popular among fans and added to his status by scoring a touchdown on a special fourth-down play, showcasing his speed.

Despite the buzz around Manning, Sarkisian is counting on Ewers as the key to their national championship aspirations, even though Ewers has shown inconsistency, similar to his performance in a previous loss to Georgia.

Win Helps Establish Texas and Brings SEC Championship Game

This victory marks Texas’ first win against a ranked opponent this season, but the playoff committee has already recognized their performance prior to this validation.

Holding the No. 3 ranking for three weeks, the selection committee confirmed the Longhorns (11-1) are impressive – especially on defense.

The Longhorns may wonder what the SEC hype is all about.

Throughout the season, Texas has been dominating its new conference rivals, including a former Big 12 competitor that began its SEC journey a dozen years earlier.

“The game is won in the trenches,” Sarkisian said. “We don’t play flag football or 7-on-7 games. You need to excel upfront, particularly in this conference.”

Texas will go head-to-head against Georgia for the SEC championship, marking their first season in a conference that has produced 13 of the last 18 national champions since the Longhorns last won in 2005.

For Texas A&M (8-4), dreams of the SEC championship feel distant, joining 2012 and 2020 as seasons where they fell short of their Atlanta aspirations.

After claiming state supremacy, the focus now turns to whether the Longhorns can secure a national title.

While their defense appears elite, uncertainties about the Texas offense remain.

Texas Defense Shines, But Should Fans Worry About Quinn Ewers?

Sarkisian has transformed Texas into a tough team known for its hard-hitting defense. The Longhorns delivered substantial hits on every Aggie player with the ball. They’re also adept at creating turnovers, highlighted by Michael Taaffe’s stellar interception, bringing the team’s tally to 25 this season.

Texas boasts a strong offensive line, creating ample running lanes, and Quintrevion Wisner shone with a 186-yard rushing performance.

However, doubts linger around the quarterback position. Ewers could not deliver the final pass needed in last year’s CFP semifinal against Washington.

If there’s one thing to worry about, it’s the turnover issue.

Turnovers plagued Texas during their loss to Georgia as Ewers had three mishaps, and his mistakes on consecutive drives in this game let the Aggies back into contention after Texas had established a 17-0 halftime lead.

Sarkisian defended his quarterback, praising his “gritty performance” while battling through an ankle injury. He called Ewers’ turnovers “bad-luck plays,” and Ewers managed to make several important completions and long runs to help maintain the lead.

Regarding the turnovers, Ewers threw a pick-six while facing a blitz, reigniting the Texas A&M crowd that had grown quiet as Texas threatened to dominate the game.

With Aggie fans waving their white towels and raising their voices, the atmosphere became charged with tension.

A fumble from Ewers ended the following Texas drive. Soon after, A&M blocked a punt, swiftly putting them in the red zone and threatening to narrow the gap.

But Burke had different plans.

His incredible tackle for a loss put an end to their comeback.

Not long after, the crowd of Texas fans began to chant, “SEC! SEC! SEC!”

Texas is synonymous with the Longhorns. Just one more win, and the SEC will also be part of their legacy.