AUSTIN (KXAN) – The third-ranked Texas Longhorns are set to roll into Ann Arbor, Michigan this weekend as the betting favorite. A year ago when the Longhorns went on the road in Week 2, they faced the number three team in the country and were certainly not the betting favorite.
This year Texas will play the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines, who are ranked tenth. Last year they battled perennial power Alabama.
The Longhorns upset the Crimson Tide in a win that set the tone for a season that ended in the College Football Playoff. Now as Texas gets set for the massive showdown Saturday at 11:00 a.m., they are able to look back to a season ago.
While Texas players will say that every game is treated the same, the Longhorns celebrated in a major way after the win against Alabama. Some of their players spoke earlier this week about how that win helped propel them the rest of the season.
Junior Quarterback Quinn Ewers
“That definitely helped us a lot. Going into their place and being able to get the job done the way we did, it definitely was motivation for us.”
Senior tight end Gunnar Helm
“To go on the road in a tough environment like Bryant-Denny Stadium was an important win and I think gave a lot of guys confidence throughout the season when we went into those tough environments. I think we’re looking for the same this Saturday.”
Junior Offensive Lineman Kelvin Banks
“It definitely helped us understand we can go into big places and play good teams and come out on top. It definitely gave us a boost of momentum.”
Senior Offensive lineman Jake Majors
“We knew that if we were to beat Alabama that would give us a lot of momentum knowing the type of team they were. It would set the table for us the rest of the season.”
Texas and Michigan will kick off at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Michigan Stadium. KBVO has the official pregame show of Texas football that airs every week an hour before kickoff, this week starting at 10:00 a.m.