Beating Alabama as an underdog over the past 15 years has proven nearly impossible. Beating the Crimson Tide as an underdog in Tuscaloosa, however, might be even more difficult than that.
No. 11 Texas, however, did just that Saturday evening. The Longhorns dominated Alabama in every phase of the game and rode a strong performance from quarterback Quinn Ewers to a 34-24 upset.
It was the kind of win that had largely eluded the biggest brand in the sport since its unbeaten 2009 regular season, and college football fans and observers across the country had a lot to say about it.
Frequent reference was made to former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger's infamous announcement following the Longhorns’ Sugar Bowl win over Georgia to close 2018: “We’re back.”
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) September 10, 2023
Meanwhile, legendary Michigan wide receiver and College GameDay panelist Desmond Howard took a victory lap after picking Texas to win.
🧢🪑🤘🏾 pic.twitter.com/w7fGg2gNSw
— Desmond Howard (@DesmondHoward) September 10, 2023
Fans of past Longhorn conquerors had some fun at both teams’ expense.
As an alum of the University of Maryland, I know what it's like to sweep a home-and-home with Texas. I am sad that Bama fans won't get the same experience, but maybe in the SEC they will
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) September 10, 2023
Some Texas fans, meanwhile, framed the triumph as revenge after Ewers was knocked out of last year’s meeting with a shoulder injury.
Ask Bama fans how fun is it playing Texas when you can’t injure their QB pic.twitter.com/9JR2MaJ9No
— Texas Owns Bama (8-2) (@Doc_Texas) September 10, 2023
Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe’s adventurous approach to quarterback play drew commentary and laughs.
This how Jalen Milroe playing QB for Alabama right now pic.twitter.com/EJGuOZOSdw
— bfromthesea (@bfromthesea) September 10, 2023
Fans of Alabama’s SEC foes enjoyed the moment.
LSU and UGA fans banding together to make fun of Jalen Milroe and the rest of Alabama pic.twitter.com/3YkBRFTotb
— 🅿️𝖑𝖆𝖞𝖇𝖔𝖎 🅿️𝖚𝖋𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 🇺🇬🇪🇬 (@FalconsGotNext2) September 10, 2023
Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian received kudos after a career night.
sark playcalling tonight. special. pic.twitter.com/QGB0KprKEp
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) September 10, 2023
All in all, the rarity of Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban losing to an assistant made it a game to remember.
Sark taking down Saban in Tuscaloosa pic.twitter.com/1TgJy4XNak
— Richard Tiger Hogeda (@Tigerisssh) September 10, 2023
