Everyone, take a deep (and when I say deep, think Mariana Trench level of depth) breath because the Texas Longhorns just pulled off their fifth ranked win of the season, toppling the LSU Tigers 22-21.
It was an ugly game, there's no denying that, and it was far from the level that the Horns can play at if they want to compete for a National Championship, or even an SEC title.
However, a win is a win. With that said, which players stood out as the biggest problem, and which ones (or, one) were the key pieces for Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian to pull off the win?
LOSER: The Texas offensive line and OL coach Kyle Flood
The definition of insanity is attempting the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. Well, watching this offensive line is certainly starting to fit that definition.
Once again, everyone from center Connor Robertson to right guard Brandon Baker to left tackle Melvin Siani failed to protect the backfield. It's why Texas quarterback Arch Manning failed time and time again to find his downfield connections, and it's why the Longhorns' running game struggled to ever find its footing.
While not all of the blame can be placed on the O-Line, even in Texas's best games, it has looked more than shaky, and that isn't something sustainable for a team that expects to compete at the highest level.
Sarkisian has to have a serious look at his offensive line and the man in charge of the group: O-Line coach (and technically, offensive coordinator) Kyle Flood.
LOSER: Arch Manning, Texas quarterback
While the O-Line provided little to no assistance, Manning seemed to regress in both his decision-making on deep balls and his refusal to get rid of the ball.
His three interceptions, two of which were immediately off of the Horns' own interceptions, undeniably held the offense back from putting more points on the board.
WINNER: Jelani McDonald, Texas safety
The saving grace of Texas's day, specifically the Longhorns' defensive secondary, was veteran safety Jelani McDonald.
While the secondary struggled to consistently slow down the passing-game effort of LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, McDonald was able to come down with three interceptions, two of which were in the end zone and prevented the Tigers from scoring any additional touchdowns.
Not to mention that McDonald earned 11 total tackles (two solo) to tie with linebacker Rasheem Biles for the most tackles on the team.
LOSER: Texas's discipline (for the billionth time)
While the Tigers were called for 11 penalties of their own, the Horns' discipline on both sides of the ball was a problem that reared its ugly head once again.
Sure, Texas was "only" called for five penalties, but those five cost the Longhorns 50 yards, and many of them came at possession-costing moments, either giving LSU another set of downs when Texas was on defense or ruining any offensive momentum the team had.
To put it lightly, this is something that Sarkisian and his staff have to get under control, because it is yet another problem that will hold the Horns back from ever competing for a title.
WINNER: Texas's resilience (also for the billionth time)
Everyone from the offensive line to the defensive secondary to Arch Manning to Steve Sarkisian stepped up in that fourth quarter, and that resilience continues to lead to the Horns securing these big-time ranked wins.
While he did throw three interceptions, Manning bounced back to lead the offense on the game-winning drive.
Despite struggling to slow down LSU through the first three quarters, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's squad continued to step up to the plate in the final quarter, forcing four punts from LSU.
Texas might not win pretty, but Texas wins, and at the end of the day, that's what matters.
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