The 2024 college football season was a wild, unpredictable, and at times electrifying ride across the Lone Star State. Texas fans were treated to everything: playoff dreams, coaching overhauls, rebuilds, and dramatic turnarounds. While no Texas team brought home a national title, each of the state’s top programs made headlines for different reasons.

The Texas Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff and finished with a 13-3 record, but their campaign ended in heartbreak. Texas A&M rode a wave of inconsistency under new head coach Mike Elko, showing flashes of promise while battling familiar demons. TCU quietly put together a bounce-back season after falling off a cliff in 2023, and Baylor, left for dead by midseason, came roaring back to grab bowl eligibility and new life under Dave Aranda.

Texas football wasn’t just relevant in 2024 — it was dramatic, emotional, and high-stakes. Let’s break down the full picture, team by team.

Texas Longhorns: So Close, Yet So Far

The Longhorns came into 2024 with momentum from a strong 2023 and the pressure of delivering in their new SEC surroundings. By season’s end, they had racked up 13 wins, reached the SEC Championship Game, and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. On paper, it was a dream season. But the way it ended left a bitter taste.

Steve Sarkisian's team knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa in September, a win that put the nation on notice. Quinn Ewers took a clear step forward as a leader and decision-maker. The offense was efficient, creative, and explosive. The defense — long a liability — became a strength. Texas dominated on the line of scrimmage for most of the season.

Their lone regular season blemish came in a narrow loss to Ole Miss, but the Longhorns bounced back and handled their business in the final stretch to earn a shot at Georgia in the SEC title game. They didn’t win, but they pushed the Bulldogs deeper than most expected. That earned them a playoff berth and a chance to make history.

Then Oregon happened.

In the semifinal, Texas looked unprepared for Oregon’s tempo and struggled on both sides of the ball. The offense stalled. The defense got stretched. A two-score loss ended their championship hopes and exposed the limits of a team that had cruised for most of the year.

The Longhorns were so close — but not quite ready for the final step.

Texas A&M’s Rollercoaster Season

The Aggies entered 2024 in full reset mode. Out was Jimbo Fisher. In came Mike Elko, a defensive mind with past ties to College Station and a reputation for discipline and development.

A&M finished 8-5, which sounds stable. But the road there was anything but smooth. They started hot, faltered midseason, surged late, and delivered an emotional upset over LSU to close the regular season.

Quarterback injuries derailed offensive continuity. Conner Weigman looked sharp early before going down. Max Johnson was a serviceable backup but couldn’t carry the offense against better defenses. The line struggled with pass protection. The running game lacked rhythm.

Elko’s defense, however, began to shine. The unit forced turnovers, brought pressure consistently, and played with real swagger by season’s end. Even in losses, the defense kept the Aggies within striking distance.

A&M wasn’t consistent. But they were competitive. Elko's arrival has reset the tone, and with a top-10 recruiting class coming in, the future feels different. For the first time in years, there’s belief rooted in something real—not just hype.

TCU’s Quietly Successful Season

After getting throttled in 2023, Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs entered 2024 under the radar. There were no national expectations. No spotlight. Just the hard work of rebuilding trust in the locker room and consistency on the field.

The season started rocky. TCU went 1-2 out of the gate and looked unsure of itself on both sides of the ball. Quarterback play was unsettled, and the defense couldn’t get off the field. But midseason adjustments changed the trajectory.

Redshirt freshman Josh Hoover took control at quarterback and brought poise and stability. The coaching staff leaned on the run game and shortened possessions. The defense simplified its schemes and began to swarm the ball.

By the end of the year, TCU finished 8-5, winning five of their final six games and capturing a bowl win to boot. They weren’t flashy, but they were tough. And they were building something again.

It wasn’t a title run. But it was a necessary season—proof that the program still had a heartbeat.

Baylor’s Late-Season Surge

By late October, Baylor was 2-6 and looked completely lost. Dave Aranda was firmly on the hot seat. The offense was stagnant. The defense was porous. Fans were tuning out.

Then came the surge.

Baylor reeled off three straight wins to end the regular season, secured a bowl bid due to their APR score, and went on to win that bowl convincingly. Suddenly, a 2-6 disaster turned into a 6-7 campaign with hope for the future.

Freshman QB Sawyer Robertson stepped up late. Running back Richard Reese got hot. The offensive line began winning matchups. And on defense, the Bears simplified coverages and finally started creating pressure.

It wasn’t smoke and mirrors. Baylor was finally playing complementary football—and with urgency.

Aranda saved his job, at least for now. More importantly, the players showed fight, and the staff showed flexibility. It wasn’t the kind of season that sells tickets. But it was the kind of season that sets the tone for what comes next.

Betting Breakdown – What Texas Football Taught Us in 2024

Texas was a fascinating region for college football bettors in 2024. With a mix of top-tier programs and rebuilding teams, the betting value shifted weekly.

Trends Worth Noting:

• Texas Longhorns were a first-half covering machine until late in the year. Bettors who jumped on their early-game dominance made money regularly.
• Texas A&M was volatile against the spread (ATS), making them ideal for live betting and underdog spots.
• TCU was undervalued much of the season. Their late-season overs were especially profitable.
• Baylor became a sneaky cover team in November, especially as underdogs.

How to Use Bet105 to Bet Smarter in 2025:

• Win Totals Futures:
  
  
• Texas likely opens around 9.5—worth considering the under if they face early-season pressure or lose key offensive pieces.
• TCU and Baylor may offer sharp over value if oddsmakers overcorrect for 2023.
  
  
• Live Bets:
  
  
• Target Texas A&M in second halves when trailing. Elko's teams adjust well after halftime.
• Watch TCU for in-game momentum swings, especially when Hoover gets hot.
  
  
• Week-to-Week Spreads:
  
  
• Baylor as a home underdog is a profitable trend to monitor.
• Fade Texas in post-bye or letdown spots—they tend to start flat after big wins.
  
  

Texas football in 2024 delivered plenty of drama—and even more betting opportunity. With new quarterbacks emerging, coaches settling into long-term roles, and programs on the rise or in flux, 2025 will be another year to watch closely on bet105.

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