5 reasons Texas football are national championship contenders

5 reasons Texas football are national championship contenders in 2016

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele (7) looks to throw against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Dynamic QB Duo

Buechele started against Notre Dame, but senior Tyrone Swoopes played a meaningful role in the Longhorns victory too. Swoopes lone pass fell incomplete, but he gained 53 yards on the ground and scored three TDs, including the game-winner. Last season, Swoopes ran for 13 TDs and added 12 more through the air.

Tyrone Swoopes did his best Vince Young impression last night. https://t.co/C0tJldbFNR
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 5, 2016

Texas ended a long and much scrutinized QB battle by going with both guys against Notre Dame. Swoopes and Buechele rotated throughout the contest, and both were effective.

Buechele has been a huge hit in Austin, ever since he enrolled last January. He threw for 299 yards and 2 TDs in Texas’ spring game. After an impressive summer, Buechele became the first true freshman to start at QB for the ‘Horns in over 70 years (Bobby Layne, 1944). In the NFL, if you have two starting QB’s, you don’t have a starting QB. In the NCAA, a talented duo is a luxury.

Such was the case for the 2006 Florida Gators. They split quarterback reps between senior Chris Leak and a freshman by the name of Tim Tebow. You may have heard of him. That formula propelled the Gators to a National Championship, and it will no doubt benefit the 2016 Longhorns.

Next: A Stingy Defense

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