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Texas Longhorns and the “We’re Back” Sam Ehlinger Jinx

By Peter Bartell

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half of the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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In 2018, The University of Texas was coming off of a 9-4 regular season and looked to be on the verge of returning to prominence for the first time since former Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown’s tenure that ended in 2013. During his 15 years at Texas, Brown had a record of 158-48 that equates to a .767 win percentage.

What has happened from 2019 until now is far below a .767 win percentage. The Horns are a combined 36-20 that equates to a .555 win percentage – well below the .767 mark. Their best season was in 2022 under then second year head coach Steve Sarkisian, who is heading into his third season in Austin.

So what happened since 2018 you ask? Whether you’re a believer of superstition or not, one theory is for sure. And that’s the Sam Ehlinger comment that was made after the 2018 Sugar Bowl in which the Texas Longhorns defeated an undermanned Georgia Bulldogs team. Texas was riding high defeating the Bulldogs 28-21 off of Ehlinger’s three touchdown passes. On the field after the game, Ehlinger was interviewed and famously said, “Longhorn nation, we’re baaaackkk.” Texas fans exploded into audible cheers that could be heard through the television set. In the moment, one couldn’t help but wonder if they could be “back” for the first time since their 2009 national championship loss to Alabama, which was the last time Texas was a contender on a national championship level.

The answer has come since with the .555 win percentage. So did Ehlinger jinx Texas? Is it worth being superstitious about? It’s at least intriguing.

Texas Longhorns and the “We’re Back” Sam Ehlinger jinx

Dating back to 2019 since the comment was made on January 1st of that year, here are the Longhorns’ records year-by-year:

  • 2019: 7-5
  • 2020: 6-3
  • 2021: 5-7
  • 2022: 8-5

The program did seem to be on it’s way back up. On their second coach since the end of the 2018 season, the Horns hope that the “we’re back” curse isn’t just that and to return to prominence. For the time being, it’ll be talked about, made into a meme and playful banter for the rest of the college football world.

Set to join the SEC next season as well, what kind of impact will the Texas Longhorns have in 2024?

Next. 5 potential SEC upsets during September. dark

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