Following criticism from Longhorn fans, Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte looked to clarify a report that the team relied on an AI-driven data analytics platform during a key fourth-and-2 play that failed in last weekend's 27-24 home loss to Florida.
An article published Friday in the Austin American-Statesman sparked controversy by reporting that Del Conte pointed to the fourth-down play as an example of Texas embracing a new AI platform, Bevo Lab. The Longhorns trailed Florida 20-17 at the time of the decision, with quarterback Arch Manning ultimately losing 3 yards on the play.
However, Del Conte clarified his comments later Friday, explaining that he was using the play as an example of what the AI platform could suggest, not what it actually did, according to On Texas Football's Bobby Burton.
Texas launched Bevo Lab, an AI data analytics initiative, on Friday, describing it as "higher education's premier sports intelligence platform and living laboratory."
The Longhorns had topped the AP Top 25 just two weeks ago but are now No. 19 after back-to-back losses. They'll face plenty of pressure down the season's final stretch, beginning with Saturday's matchup against No. 7 Ole Miss.
Despite the sudden downturn, Del Conte insisted Thursday that he isn't panicking.
"Rome is not burning," Del Conte said, per CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello. "Expectations should be high. They're high for us, too. That's why you come to University of Texas. But the noise is a lot greater outside than it is in our building, than it is on the Forty Acres."
