The Texas Longhorns have become predictable this season offensively. They have become beatable on defense. Without starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, the team can no longer be complacent in how it calls plays.
The Longhorns’ offensive predictability became an issue against the Oklahoma Sooners as the team’s biggest rival sat on Texas’ staple plays, forced turnovers and stifled the offense. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian may not have been predictable to start the Houston game, but the Cougars caught on to what he tried fairly quickly.
Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s coverage-blitz combos appeared to be exposed on Saturday. Kwiatkowski’s defense surrendered underneath passes for significant chunks. And after a masterful start by the defense both in play calling and execution, the unit let the Cougars back into the game.
Sarkisian and Kwiatkowski need to be better on Saturday. They need to be better because they have proven capable. The high standard is one they have already set in their best games as play callers.
Every point matters for the Longhorns now. The team won by one score over the Houston Cougars who should finish in the bottom three of the Big 12 by season’s end. Texas is going to face close games. For the team to reach the conference title, the coaching staff will need to bring its A-game.
Texas begins its most trying stretch of the season against the BYU Cougars (5-2) on Oct. 28 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.