The Texas Longhorns have suffered unexpected losses far too often in recent seasons. Last year was no exception. In 2022, Texas lost four games. Two came against teams it should have beaten with ease.
The Longhorns opened Big 12 play with an overtime loss to Texas Tech last season. The Red Raiders entered the game with a 2-1 record following a 27-14 loss to NC State. To put the Longhorns’ Week 4 loss in perspective, Texas Tech fans stormed the field earlier in the season after a three-point overtime win over the Houston Cougars.
This season, Texas opens conference play with a similar opponent. The Baylor Bears have potential to pull an upset any given week, but have struggled in early action in 2023. Even so, this week’s matchup is the type of game that could make an entire season for Baylor. To suggest that they cannot win the game after the Longhorns’ last three weeks might be too optimistic.
Texas can, and should, win the game. That said, the Longhorns have played with fire too often this season. Should they continue to play with fire, they can expect to get burned.
How does Texas avoid a blindsiding loss? The team needs to bring a level of urgency we haven’t seen outside of the Alabama game. It needs to avoid topping the FBS leaderboard in drop percentage in Week 4. It needs its quarterback to bring a higher level of focus as well.
Texas is not far from being a trustworthy team again. Winning its next game would get it closer to earning that trust.
Texas takes on Baylor at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.