For those who do not subscribe to the Athletic, they offer some great stuff. They drill deep on TEXAS at the halfway point.
I bolded a couple things I found of most interest.
By Sam Khan Jr. 2h ago
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The start of the Steve Sarkisian era at Texas began with a convincing win against a preseason Top-25 team but took a dive when Arkansas ramrodded the Longhorns in Week 2.
A quarterback change sparked an offensive outburst and a three-game winning streak, but angst is peaking again following two consecutive losses, including one to rival Oklahoma.
Flashes of potential are there, followed by reminders of the same old problems of past regimes. Sarkisian often says he can’t worry about what came before him, but fans wonder if past issues, like a 7-8 record in one-score ballgames dating back to 2019, still linger under the new coach.
“Nothing that we’ve ever done since I’ve gotten here has been to lay blame on whatever has happened before,” Sarkisian said. “None of it has ever been, ‘Well, we’ll just deal with that later,’ or ‘He can’t do this.’ It’s dealing with the issues as they present themselves.
“Now it’s about getting our players to understand a one-step-after-another mentality and not worrying about what lies ahead or what’s happened in the past and just focusing on the task at hand.”
With two tough games, at Baylor and at Iowa State, on deck after an off week, Sarkisian must find solutions quickly. How the team fares in those key games should reveal whether this is a quality team that can correct its mistakes and still be a factor in the Big 12 race or if it’s simply a rebuilding year for the new regime, as it discovers and addresses roster deficiencies in hopes of future success.
But then Card and the Longhorns ran into a buzzsaw on Sept. 11 in Arkansas. The team struggled to move the ball, and Card was ineffective. Sarkisian turned to junior Casey Thompson, who finished the game strong, took the starting job the next week and has held onto it ever since.
Since stepping in, Thompson has largely been effective. He has the highest passer rating in the Big 12, led Texas to three consecutive wins and threw five touchdowns in the loss to Oklahoma. He hasn’t been perfect; he struggled against TCU and against Oklahoma State. But to go from backup in Week 1 to one of the Big 12’s best at the midpoint has been impressive.
Texas is tied for last in the Big 12 with West Virginia for most sacks allowed with 16. The unit has performed well in the run game, as the Longhorns are third in the league in yards per rush, but the group has been inconsistent.
Against Oklahoma, the line struggled to block the Sooners’ front in the second half, contributing to Texas’ offensive failures. The same applied against Oklahoma State down the stretch, when Texas mustered just 1 yard in the fourth quarter and no first downs in its final six drives.
Sarkisian and offensive line coach Kyle Flood have shuffled the lineup in recent weeks to compensate for a season-ending injury to Denzel Okafor and find the best combination.
According to Pro Football Focus, Texas has the fifth-best run blocking grade in the Big 12 but the second-worst pass blocking grade.
The Longhorns’ recent struggles signify an offense that goes dark for extended stretches and a run defense that isn’t yet good enough to hold up in those instances. The 42-play differential in the past two weeks amounts to an additional half of football that the defense has been on the field, or an extra quarter’s worth of plays in each game.
That has contributed to trouble stopping the run, with the Longhorns allowing 559 rushing yards in losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
“Complementary football, that’s what great teams do,” Sarkisian said. “Not putting our defense into compromising situations. When we’re backed up inside our own 5, the idea is we’ve got to go get two first downs so, at minimum, we can flip the field and not give them a short field. Our inability to do that Saturday showed up.”
Not only is he starting, but he also quickly emerged as the team’s best receiver and one of the best in the Big 12. Worthy has a team-high 29 catches, 542 yards and six touchdowns. His best performance came in Texas’ biggest game, versus Oklahoma. He started the game with a 75-yard catch-and-run score and, despite a critical fourth-quarter fumble, bounced back with multiple big-time catches down the stretch, including a tying 31-yard touchdown catch in the final minutes. He finished that day with nine catches for 261 yards.
Worthy must become more consistent, but he’s well on his way to stardom.
In the Red River rivalry, Robinson’s 50-yard run in the second quarter contained so many cutbacks that even ESPN’s Chris Fowler invoked Reggie Bush. Robinson evaded roughly a half-dozen Sooners, using cuts, speed and a stiff arm while going from one sideline to the other. He was pushed out just before the end zone, but the Longhorns scored on the next play.
If Robinson makes it to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, this run will be one of the first on his season highlight reel.
The Longhorns showed, at times, that they can score with anyone. There are stretches where they look like an elite team. But they’re just that: stretches.
One moment, Sarkisian looks like a play-calling whiz, Robinson looks like a Heisman candidate and Thompson and Worthy look like first-team all-Big 12 players. The defense plays physically and fast. But subpar second-half performances against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State reveal a far different team.
Which team will show up in the final five games and for how long?
“The promising part for us is we’re plenty capable of competing at a very high level, which we’ve done for two straight weeks against two top-10 teams,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t think it’s about our ability to coach, execute or play. … Now, it’s about our ability to sustain that and to do it at the critical moments.”
Texas’ most recent commitment is its highest rated, four-star receiver Brenen Thompson. But Sarkisian focused heavily on defense, particularly up front. The Longhorns have commitments from seven defensive linemen or edge rushers, a clear sign of where Sarkisian feels Texas needs to improve before it heads to the SEC.
Sarkisian’s class also has a strong national feel, with less than 60 percent of the prospects coming from the Lone Star State. Texas has gained commitments from prospects in Arizona, California, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Nevada.
Texas is coming off a big visit weekend: Quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 player in the 2023 class, and receiver Evan Stewart, the No. 3 player in the 2022 class, were both in Austin for the Oklahoma State game.
(outside of a lack of OL, recruiting actually going very well)
After two consecutive losses in which the Longhorns led by double digits, a third consecutive loss would put them at .500, wreak further havoc on the team’s psyche and might whittle some fans’ confidence in their new coach. Also, it would virtually dash any remaining hopes the Longhorns have to somehow sneak into the Big 12 title game, because they will have lost to the top three teams in the league and be at least two games behind each in the loss column with four games to play.
A win over the Bears, who are 6-1 and third in the conference standings, would restore some optimism and give the team momentum heading into November. Its last three games are against Kansas, West Virginia and Kansas State, all of which are winless in Big 12 play so far. A win in Waco puts Texas in position to win at least four of its last five. Depending on what happens at the top of the league, a strong finish could keep them at least in the Big 12 conversation.
“There’s a lot of football left to be played and a lot of teams need to play one another,” Sarkisian said. “Ultimately, we have to take care of our business, and our business is the next game.”
Briefly, following the Oklahoma game, Texas looked like it might have Big 12 title game potential, even with its flaws. But it’s clear the issues go beyond simply talent. Sarkisian said himself after the Oklahoma State loss that mentally, the Horns blinked when they had the lead. That must be corrected.
Some issues, like offensive line play or linebacker depth, require offseason roster improvements to rectify. Until then, the Longhorns are likely to keep feeding Robinson and Worthy, their best offensive players, and hoping for the best.
I bolded a couple things I found of most interest.
Texas at midseason: Steve Sarkisian’s task is getting the Horns to sustain their best play and finish games
By Sam Khan Jr. 2h ago
The start of the Steve Sarkisian era at Texas began with a convincing win against a preseason Top-25 team but took a dive when Arkansas ramrodded the Longhorns in Week 2.
A quarterback change sparked an offensive outburst and a three-game winning streak, but angst is peaking again following two consecutive losses, including one to rival Oklahoma.
Flashes of potential are there, followed by reminders of the same old problems of past regimes. Sarkisian often says he can’t worry about what came before him, but fans wonder if past issues, like a 7-8 record in one-score ballgames dating back to 2019, still linger under the new coach.
“Nothing that we’ve ever done since I’ve gotten here has been to lay blame on whatever has happened before,” Sarkisian said. “None of it has ever been, ‘Well, we’ll just deal with that later,’ or ‘He can’t do this.’ It’s dealing with the issues as they present themselves.
“Now it’s about getting our players to understand a one-step-after-another mentality and not worrying about what lies ahead or what’s happened in the past and just focusing on the task at hand.”
With two tough games, at Baylor and at Iowa State, on deck after an off week, Sarkisian must find solutions quickly. How the team fares in those key games should reveal whether this is a quality team that can correct its mistakes and still be a factor in the Big 12 race or if it’s simply a rebuilding year for the new regime, as it discovers and addresses roster deficiencies in hopes of future success.
Best surprise
When Hudson Card won the starting quarterback job out of training camp, it felt like a new era for Texas football. The redshirt freshman and former four-star recruit would step in, shine and never look back.But then Card and the Longhorns ran into a buzzsaw on Sept. 11 in Arkansas. The team struggled to move the ball, and Card was ineffective. Sarkisian turned to junior Casey Thompson, who finished the game strong, took the starting job the next week and has held onto it ever since.
Since stepping in, Thompson has largely been effective. He has the highest passer rating in the Big 12, led Texas to three consecutive wins and threw five touchdowns in the loss to Oklahoma. He hasn’t been perfect; he struggled against TCU and against Oklahoma State. But to go from backup in Week 1 to one of the Big 12’s best at the midpoint has been impressive.
Worst surprise
Offensive line play has been suspect for the Longhorns.Texas is tied for last in the Big 12 with West Virginia for most sacks allowed with 16. The unit has performed well in the run game, as the Longhorns are third in the league in yards per rush, but the group has been inconsistent.
Against Oklahoma, the line struggled to block the Sooners’ front in the second half, contributing to Texas’ offensive failures. The same applied against Oklahoma State down the stretch, when Texas mustered just 1 yard in the fourth quarter and no first downs in its final six drives.
Sarkisian and offensive line coach Kyle Flood have shuffled the lineup in recent weeks to compensate for a season-ending injury to Denzel Okafor and find the best combination.
According to Pro Football Focus, Texas has the fifth-best run blocking grade in the Big 12 but the second-worst pass blocking grade.
Defining stat
In Texas’ two conference losses, its offense has run 121 plays. The opposing offenses have run 163.The Longhorns’ recent struggles signify an offense that goes dark for extended stretches and a run defense that isn’t yet good enough to hold up in those instances. The 42-play differential in the past two weeks amounts to an additional half of football that the defense has been on the field, or an extra quarter’s worth of plays in each game.
That has contributed to trouble stopping the run, with the Longhorns allowing 559 rushing yards in losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
“Complementary football, that’s what great teams do,” Sarkisian said. “Not putting our defense into compromising situations. When we’re backed up inside our own 5, the idea is we’ve got to go get two first downs so, at minimum, we can flip the field and not give them a short field. Our inability to do that Saturday showed up.”
Breakout player
The buzz around true freshman receiver Xavier Worthy was noticeable during training camp. When Sarkisian mentioned standouts from practices and scrimmages, Worthy’s name often came up. He performed well enough to earn a starting spot.Not only is he starting, but he also quickly emerged as the team’s best receiver and one of the best in the Big 12. Worthy has a team-high 29 catches, 542 yards and six touchdowns. His best performance came in Texas’ biggest game, versus Oklahoma. He started the game with a 75-yard catch-and-run score and, despite a critical fourth-quarter fumble, bounced back with multiple big-time catches down the stretch, including a tying 31-yard touchdown catch in the final minutes. He finished that day with nine catches for 261 yards.
Worthy must become more consistent, but he’s well on his way to stardom.
Best play
Bijan Robinson has 13 touchdowns this season, but his best play did not result in points.In the Red River rivalry, Robinson’s 50-yard run in the second quarter contained so many cutbacks that even ESPN’s Chris Fowler invoked Reggie Bush. Robinson evaded roughly a half-dozen Sooners, using cuts, speed and a stiff arm while going from one sideline to the other. He was pushed out just before the end zone, but the Longhorns scored on the next play.
If Robinson makes it to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, this run will be one of the first on his season highlight reel.
Biggest question
Can Texas finish games?The Longhorns showed, at times, that they can score with anyone. There are stretches where they look like an elite team. But they’re just that: stretches.
One moment, Sarkisian looks like a play-calling whiz, Robinson looks like a Heisman candidate and Thompson and Worthy look like first-team all-Big 12 players. The defense plays physically and fast. But subpar second-half performances against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State reveal a far different team.
Which team will show up in the final five games and for how long?
“The promising part for us is we’re plenty capable of competing at a very high level, which we’ve done for two straight weeks against two top-10 teams,” Sarkisian said. “I don’t think it’s about our ability to coach, execute or play. … Now, it’s about our ability to sustain that and to do it at the critical moments.”
Recruiting update
Sarkisian’s first full recruiting cycle is off to a strong start. Texas possesses the fourth-best class in the country and the No. 1 class in the Big 12.Texas’ most recent commitment is its highest rated, four-star receiver Brenen Thompson. But Sarkisian focused heavily on defense, particularly up front. The Longhorns have commitments from seven defensive linemen or edge rushers, a clear sign of where Sarkisian feels Texas needs to improve before it heads to the SEC.
Sarkisian’s class also has a strong national feel, with less than 60 percent of the prospects coming from the Lone Star State. Texas has gained commitments from prospects in Arizona, California, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Nevada.
Texas is coming off a big visit weekend: Quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 player in the 2023 class, and receiver Evan Stewart, the No. 3 player in the 2022 class, were both in Austin for the Oklahoma State game.
(outside of a lack of OL, recruiting actually going very well)
Most important remaining game
In the Longhorns’ case, the next game really is the most important one. Texas is off this weekend before heading to upstart Baylor on Oct. 30.After two consecutive losses in which the Longhorns led by double digits, a third consecutive loss would put them at .500, wreak further havoc on the team’s psyche and might whittle some fans’ confidence in their new coach. Also, it would virtually dash any remaining hopes the Longhorns have to somehow sneak into the Big 12 title game, because they will have lost to the top three teams in the league and be at least two games behind each in the loss column with four games to play.
A win over the Bears, who are 6-1 and third in the conference standings, would restore some optimism and give the team momentum heading into November. Its last three games are against Kansas, West Virginia and Kansas State, all of which are winless in Big 12 play so far. A win in Waco puts Texas in position to win at least four of its last five. Depending on what happens at the top of the league, a strong finish could keep them at least in the Big 12 conversation.
“There’s a lot of football left to be played and a lot of teams need to play one another,” Sarkisian said. “Ultimately, we have to take care of our business, and our business is the next game.”
Predicted final record
At the start of the season, I felt this was probably an 8-4 team. Through seven games, I still feel that way.Briefly, following the Oklahoma game, Texas looked like it might have Big 12 title game potential, even with its flaws. But it’s clear the issues go beyond simply talent. Sarkisian said himself after the Oklahoma State loss that mentally, the Horns blinked when they had the lead. That must be corrected.
Some issues, like offensive line play or linebacker depth, require offseason roster improvements to rectify. Until then, the Longhorns are likely to keep feeding Robinson and Worthy, their best offensive players, and hoping for the best.
