College Football1 hour ago2 minute read

Texas AD Clarifies AI Role in Failed Play Against Florida

Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte clarified how the school uses its new AI platform after a failed fourth down play against Florida.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Setting the record straight on AI calls

Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte clarified on Friday how the football team uses its new data platform. Reports had suggested Texas relied on artificial intelligence to call a fourth and 2 play that failed in last weekend's loss to Florida. Quarterback Arch Manning lost 3 yards on the play while Texas trailed 20-17.

Del Conte cleared up the situation by explaining that he was sharing an example of what the system could suggest, not what it actually ordered during the game.

Inside the new Bevo Lab platform

Texas officially announced the data initiative on Friday, calling it Bevo Lab. The sports intelligence hub will cover all 21 athletic programs and 500 athletes at the school. Texas is working alongside Dell and Google Cloud, which are both led by Texas alumni.

Del Conte stated that the project will make Texas Athletics the most data driven athletic program in the country. About 40 student researchers will manage analytics projects under Dr. Kirk Goldsberry. Goldsberry, a former San Antonio Spurs vice president for strategic research, currently runs the school's Business of Sports Institute. He noted that Bevo Lab will reinforce Texas as a leader in sports analytics.

Features and big names involved

The platform features a unified data warehouse called the Bevo Lakehouse. It combines game film and wearable technology, starting first with the football team. It also includes a transfer system to assist coaches with roster evaluation, game strategy, scouting, and player development.

Former NBA star Chris Bosh will join the staff as part of a nine month learning program. Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant, a Texas alumnus and advisory board member, will also become more involved after he retires from basketball.

What it means for the next game

Ole Miss Rebels at Texas Longhorns (College Football, Sat, 24 Oct): Texas Longhorns win 53%, Ole Miss Rebels win 47%; projected score Texas Longhorns 29, Ole Miss Rebels 25. Our safest pick: Over 43.5 points.

Mississippi State Bulldogs at Texas Longhorns (College Football, Sat, 31 Oct): Texas Longhorns win 78%, Mississippi State Bulldogs win 22%; projected score Texas Longhorns 33, Mississippi State Bulldogs 21. Our safest pick: Texas to win.