Every week, college football insider Shehan Jeyarajah will come to you with a roundup of everything he thinks – and things he thinks he thinks right now – about college football in Texas this week. 

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3 things I know

1. College football scheduling is ridiculous

We got a slew of college football scheduling news over the past few days. For example, the Southland Conference announced their 2020 schedule. Sure, fine. Then, Texas announced a future 2025 nonconference game against San Jose State. A little weird, but sure. Then, Oklahoma State announced two games against Nebraska in 2034 and 2035. 

*record scratch*

I’m sorry, 2035? As in with kids who are currently two years old? Games that will take place more than 15 years from now, when Mike Gundy is nearly 70 and the youthful Scott Frost is well into his 60s? When this author will be in his 40s? (Yikes!) 

College football scheduling has moved further and further into the future every year and it’s getting ridiculous. We went through this a few years ago when Baylor was trying to compete for a national championship, but featured a schedule that was a relic from fighting for bowl eligibility. Texas A&M, on the other hand, scheduled two games with Clemson in 2014, not necessarily realizing they’d be playing an unbeatable superpower. 

There has to be a way to change scheduling that doesn’t end up with the stupidest dates every single year. Athletic directors shouldn’t be scheduling games for after they die. There has to be some common sense flexibility. 

2. Ty Brock got a tough deal

We talk a lot about quarterback management at the FBS and Power Five level, but this is an issue that goes across the sport. That was proven once again on Monday, as Sam Houston State quarterback Ty Brock opted to grad transfer from the program. 

Two years ago, Brock was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in FCS football. Last year, he lost his starting job for much of the season to Eric Schmid. Just like that, Brock went from the next big thing to backup. 

Quarterback is unlike most positions in sports because you can only play one. Being the backup means you might not ever play. We wish Brock all the best and hope he finds another spot to play in Texas. 

3. Magazine season is already here

Every so often, I’ll get a question about what the heck we do at Dave Campbell’s now that football season is over. Well, obviously we keep content going throughout the spring and summer all leading up until fall. Keep an eye on TexasBasketball.com too – we always have plenty going up there. 

That said, believe it or not, we’re already back into magazine season. All the staffers in the office just got their assignments for the magazine and we’re already starting to round things up. Last year, I wrote more than 30,000 words for the magazine, and that’s only going up in 2020. 

The magazine won’t be out for subscribers until likely late June and won’t be on bookstands until July – that’s how much work it takes for us to put together this magazine. Hope you enjoy it!

3 things I think I know

1. Texas should play a 4-man front

Many Texas fans are claiming that Texas made a mistake by playing with an odd front because it’s too hard to get a pass rush with that few rushers. That’s not true – Baylor dominated college football last year with that same strategy. However, there’s a big reason why it doesn’t make sense for the University of Texas. 

With the way Texas recruits, it can get four devastatingly talented big bodies on the field every single play. There’s no reason that Texas should have to pick between Keondre Coburn, Moro Ojomo, Marquez Bimage and Ta’Quon Graham. Playing with four down linemen can get most of those players on the field every play. We saw how that paid off in recruiting when the Longhorns added Alfred Collins. 

Most teams in the Big 12 can’t recruit dynamic bodies like this with consistency and tries to make up for it by cheating and getting another guy back in coverage. Texas doesn’t have to do that. Calling odd front a gimmick isn’t quite right, but there’s no reason for Texas to try and pick between speed and bulk – it has both. 

2. Texas’ season hinges in Stillwater

Heading into 2020, the task is simple for Tom Herman: Make the big 12 championship game or go home. By far the biggest inhibitor to that path rests in the last week of the season. 

Oklahoma State is quietly building up a terrifying squad. The Cowboys bring back Mr. Texas Football winner Spencer Sanders, Biletnikoff finalist Tylan Wallace and – oh yeah – 2,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard. 

Texas has senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. It would be a real travesty for a quarterback of that caliber to get this many chances at the Big 12 title game and never win it. Black Friday in Stillwater could be one for the ages. Losing it could set the Longhorns back in a big way. 

3. We’ll be clamoring for Texas vs. Texas A&M in 2020

It’s been a good while since both Texas and Texas A&M were good at the same time. Well, ESPN released its most recent Football Power Index ranking and the Longhorns and Aggies both rank in the top eight. 

Obviously, both of these teams get a lot of love every year these rankings are released. This year is different though. Like we mentioned, Texas has Big 12 title expectations. Texas A&M quietly has one of the most manageable schedules of all the potentially elite teams. 

Who knows, maybe by the time the season comes to a close, we’re looking at Texas and Texas A&M vying for a Sugar Bowl berth. If both teams find a way to get to double-digit wins, we might finally be looking at Texas and Texas A&M reuniting on a Sugar Bowl stage. Of course, now that I’ve said this out loud, none of it will happen!