After back-to-back losses to conference opponents, concerns began to grow regarding the current state of Texas’ football program.
Head coach Tom Herman’s future in Austin is now uncertain. It’s not the fact that Texas has lost two games this season, it’s the way in which he’s losing. Texas deploys the most talented roster in the conference, yet Herman fields an undisciplined and unprepared team each week.
He’s simply being outcoached. The unacceptable losses to unranked opponents are what we refer to as familiar failures under Herman. Successful recruiting classes or bowl wins can only take you so far. At some point, you have to consistently put your team in position to compete for championships.
On top of that, the ‘Eyes of Texas’ controversy has been the primary topic of each media availability. There’s now distractions on and off the field, something that defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham notably agreed to this week. The only way to ease the tension is to go out there and win football games.
Let’s take a look at the best and worst quotes from staff and players this week as Texas prepares to face Baylor on Oct. 24.
Worst
Tom Herman: "I think the general pulse of the team is that we're in as good a place as we've ever been right now as a team."
— Max Olson (@max_olson) October 19, 2020
That was certainly eye-catching considering the current state of the program. Back-to-back conference losses to unranked opponents shouldn’t sit well with them.
Tom Herman said Texas is scouring Baylor message boards trying to glean as much information as possible: “If they’re anything like ours, a guy sprains an ankle and the sky is falling.” #HookEm
— Horns247 (@Horns247) October 19, 2020
Regardless of what this means, it was likely better off unsaid. I understand trying to find a competitive advantage, but this makes it sound like they don’t know how to prepare for Baylor.
Best
Ta'Quon Graham:
I don't think the problem is talent. The problem is discipline and execution.
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) October 10, 2020
Defensive Ta’Quon Graham couldn’t have said it better. Self-inflicted wounds continue to hinder Texas’ production.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger says he sings The Eyes of Texas to connect with his dad and family pic.twitter.com/qSa94tV9q6
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) October 20, 2020
This was a well-thought-out answer from Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger. It wasn’t divisive in any way and he continues to showcase true leadership from every angle.