Steve Sarkisian's Texas put on "Fraud Alert" by CFB analyst ahead of Week 9 clash against Diego Pavia's Vanderbilt
Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns were considered the best college football team as they dominated the AP Top 25 until last week after the Georgia Bulldogs managed a convincing 30-15 win. The loss led to the Longhorns being dropped from No. 1 to No. 5, while the Bulldogs ascended to No. 2 in the ranking.
A blowout loss has led many analysts to criticize the Longhorns' much-hyped squad and whether they were as good as many initially thought. Adding to the discussion was CBS Sports' college football analyst Danny Kanell, who put a "Fraud Alert" tag for the Longhorns ahead of their Week 9 game against the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores.
"I've got Texas on fraud alert because they have won every game, and their defense actually did play well," Kanell said, citing Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck's three interceptions.
"Their offense, and looking at Quinn Ewers, makes you wonder where it goes. They have a big match today in Nashville against what I think is the second-best quarterback in the SEC, Diego Pavia.
"Eleven touchdowns, one interception—we already saw him knock off Alabama. He already won on the road to Kentucky when I was told Kentucky was this great team because they beat Ole Miss."
Kanell's statement stems from the fact that the wins the Longhorns have registered were against opponents already struggling this season. Moreover, despite boasting arguably the best quarterback room in all of college football with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning in it, Sarkisian had no one reliable and effective option to turn to during Texas' frustrating loss to the Bulldogs.
Danny Kanell picks Vanderbilt to pick up a win against Texas in Week 9
Adding more to his discussion Danny Kanell, a former NFL quarterback, said Texas' losing run is just getting started. He feels Vanderbilt, who has already registered an upset win over Alabama, has got what it takes to take down the Longhorns.
He was bullish on the prospects of Commodores quarterback Deigo Pavia, whom he feels is one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.
"Diego Pavia is the lifeblood of this team," Kanell said. "I am a member of the 'Pavia Mafia,' which rolls up Vegas. I think he's got the potential to pull off the upset today if Texas is licking their wounds, feeling sorry for themselves, thinking, 'Oh, we just have to show up and get an easy win.'
"This team has been physical, and their confidence stems from their quarterback, who is playing, I think, as well as anybody in the SEC."
While the odds don't support Danny Kanell's pick, if Vanderbilt registers a win somehow, it will be detrimental to the Longhorns' playoff hopes.