Is the final three games the most important of Tom Herman’s career at Texas?
Patrick Conn, Managing Editor
Is this stretch against Kansas, Iowa State and Kansas State important? Absolutely it is. Is it the most important of Herman’s head coaching tenure in Austin? Not even close. The game against the Jayhawks shouldn’t even be close, although Texas did give up 48 points to them a year ago. Iowa State is a tough matchup, but they haven’t been consistent during Matt Campbell’s time in Ames. Kansas State is dealing with the loss of their quarterback and the inconsistent play of Will Howard.
I would argue that the stretch of games that Texas just completed was the most important of Tom Herman’s tenure. The Longhorns were coming off of a bye week following back-to-back terrible losses. They fumbled away an opportunity to beat TCU, a program that has been a nightmare for Herman to beat. That was a game that the Longhorns couldn’t afford to lose.
Next up was Oklahoma. The Red River Rivalry was ugly, but Texas managed to take it to overtime with a little help from the Big 12 officials. After two horrendous losses, I believe the Baylor, Oklahoma State and West Virginia stretch was the most important for Herman.
Had Herman dropped one or two of these games, we would be having an entirely new discussion on who would be the next coach at Texas. However, we may still have that conversation this offseason with the way Texas is now hemorrhaging in the recruiting department.
Cami Griffin weighs in next.