The Texas Longhorns had one of their most disappointing losses in the last decade. Don’t get it twisted, it was far from their most embarrassing loss. However, with how the Longhorns started the season in beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Then taking care of business against lesser competition. The Longhorns seemed to have finally been living up to the hype they were given in the offseason.
Texas was looked at as potentially the number one team in the country. Garnering ten Associated Press votes for the top spot in last weeks AP poll. The Longhorns came into the Red River Shootout as six point favorites. The shortest the Longhorns will be favorited the rest of the year, and lost to the Oklahoma Sooners.
Which begs the question, is this the same old Texas Longhorns of the past decade plus? The over-hyped, under-developed blue blood program that just can’t get out of their own way? I do not think it is. I believe this Texas program is different. Although they had a hiccup in the biggest spot of the season, I believe Texas can fight their way back to Dallas and avenge their Red River Shootout loss Saturday.
To their credit, Oklahoma played incredible. Brent Venables and the Sooners had a solid plan early. They confused Ewers and cause him to hesitate on a few throws early in the game. They also confused the Texas offensive line as well, sacking Ewers five times throughout the game.
Jake Majors, Texas’ starting center and leader along the offensive line, was injured early in the first quarter. His injury also had an obvious impact on the offensive line struggles. Conner Robertson played shaky in his absence. It was apparent the Oklahoma front seven took advantage of the step down in play and communication.
The Texas Longhorns Outlook for the Rest of the Season
What’s next for Texas? The rest of the Big XII schedule. The Longhorns have a very manageable schedule for the rest of the season as the rest of the Big XII (aside from Oklahoma and Texas) seems to be struggling. Texas needs to take care of business. It would also behoove them to collect some “style points” with the rest of their conference games. If the goal is to compete for the national championship, the Longhorns do not have any room for error. As a one-loss team now, Texas is forced to bring their “A” game every week. That is something that’s hard for every program to do.
A Red River Rematch?
If Texas takes care of their business, they’ll likely end up playing Oklahoma in a rematch. Again, it’ll be in Dallas. This time, however, it will be in Jerry’s World for the Big XII Championship. It will also likely be a ticket for the winner of that game to go to the College Football Playoffs.
In a rematch, Texas cannot have self-inflicted mistakes like they had last Saturday. Three turnovers by your offense, all were avoidable. Then, combined with only 3 points in three redzone trips. These are things most teams cannot afford to have and still be competitive in a high-level football game. Texas managed to still force Oklahoma to go 75 yards for a game winning touchdown in the final minute of the game.
Pete Kwiatkowski had a solid game plan for the Oklahoma defense for much of the game. However, when Oklahoma played with tempo in two-minute drills, they carved up Texas as if they were playing catch in the backyard. Kwiatkowski is going to have to revisit how he defended Oklahoma at the end of half and end of game and adjust his strategy.
Closing
If, or when, Texas and Oklahoma play again this year, I’ll be excited for it. I predict Texas will still be favored (assuming they both win the rest of the remaining games on their schedules). However, it will be much closer to a toss up. Oklahoma is a really talented team, but Texas lost that game with their mistakes early in the game.
Texas still controls their own destiny (mostly, as long as West Virginia drops. one or two conference games). Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns will need to pick themselves off the mat and re-focus if they want to reach their season long goal. If they can do that, they will prove to everyone that they are not the same old Texas Longhorns of that past decade plus.
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