Ketch,
I call Bullshit on two things.
Tom being not much better than Charlie in year one, because despite very similar situations: bad offenses and good-very good defenses, you can legitimately say that Tom’s team was a defensive stop away from beating USC, a touchdown away from beating Ok State in OT, and a 3rd and 2 conversion away from being 9-3.
They were close to being both a 3-4 win team and a 9-10 win team. Only TCU really sticks out as a game they didn’t have a chance to win, and even then, the game was 17-7 in the fourth quarter and if Texas had a good field kicker, the score might’ve been 17-13 because Texas did drive to TCU’s 30 yard line several times but had to go for it on 4th down. I doubt they win that game regardless. Playing hard was not the sole achievement. Tom had them in position to win nearly every single game despite an offense with injuries, youth, revolving quarterbacks AND a bad field goal kicker.
Down 20-0 against OU, does Texas come back to take the lead in the 4th quarter with Charlie or even Mack?
Despite the same 6-6 record in their first year, Tom’s team was within 10 points or less in every single ballgame in the 4th quarter. They were 1-2 in OT games. It was disappointing ending for sure, but that brings me to my other point of contention...
The players lost that Tech game.
Despite questionable playcalling at times and I’ll concede you that the 3rd and 2 was not a smart call, Texas players choked that game away.
There were a dozen plays that Texas could’ve made that would’ve put the game out of reach.
2-3 dropped interceptions, 2-3 missed passes that would’ve gone for touchdowns, dropped passes, a botched trick play that Burt inexplicably threw too late, Texas’ OL failing to block 2 times in a row vs Tech on the goal line, a fumble by Carter in Tech territory, a fumble by Mapps, an inexplicable taking a knee by Porter, the defense allowing a touchdown before the interception drive.
The players didn’t handle this game with maturity. They didn’t display any will or leadership that collectively said, “Hey! We’re not losing this motherf’n game.”
Coaches aren’t absolved of blame either, but it’s high time these players hold themselves accountable to each other. They tensed up and mentally folded in that fourth quarter to a bad Tech team. The coaches actually did call some good stuff on occasion, the players failed to execute - a common theme for 8 years and counting.
The games they almost won vs USC, OU, Oklahoma State demonstrate how close they were. The Maryland and Tech losses still show they have a long way to go.
The players need more mental toughness. The offense also needs a lot more talent and playmakers.