Longhorns vs. Alabama is 'Must-Watch Television,' Says Former Tide QB

Last season, the Texas Longhorns were two points away from upsetting the then-No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, losing 20-19.

The rematch. The return game. Texas-Alabama II. Maybe even III? Whatever you want to call it, the matchup between the Longhorns and Crimson Tide this September will be a fist fight.

Alabama's success since coach Nick Saban took the reins in 2007 has been leaps and bounds ahead of Texas, and most of college football for that matter. However, when the two teams meet in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Sept. 9, the talent gap that has been between the Crimson Tide and Longhorns the last 16 years may be gone.

Texas' matchup against Alabama was named ESPN analyst Greg McElroy's best game of Week 2 as part of the former Tide quarterback's 2023 ultimate schedule he revealed on "Always College Football" Monday.

"You got Texas heading to Tuscaloosa," McElroy said. "A future SEC matchup. Alabama hosting the Longhorns, doesn't get a whole lot better than that. That game last year, obviously, came down to the wire. That was in Austin. That felt, at least at that point, like Texas had kind of overachieved. They were clearly ahead of schedule based on how they performed in that game by itself."

McElroy went on to say the "wheels came off" of Texas' season with quarterback Quinn Ewers injured early in the season while struggling late. However, he showed optimism about what Ewers can do ahead of this season.

"You look at the supporting cast, you look at the weapons surrounding what should be a more confident Quinn Ewers, Texas might be poised to make a legitimate run," McElroy said. "They're probably, based on paper, the best roster in the Big 12."

The former Alabama quarterback said Texas has "a few question marks" with the offensive line and defensive front seven, but said that it's "anybody's guess" who will be taking snaps for the Crimson Tide next season.

He said Alabama "should be a really good, talented team."

"Hosting the Longhorns in their first big test of the season will be must-watch television," McElroy said.

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You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419

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