Texas Football: 5 Biggest Games for Longhorns in 2016
By Tyler Brett
In the midst of their 1-4 start to the 2015 season, the Longhorns 30-27 loss to Oklahoma State stands out. That game was handed to the Cowboys thanks to a host of horrific mistakes by the Horns that have to be avoided if they hope to be a legitimate contender.
Texas failed to hold onto a 27-24 lead late in the game thanks to a series of blunders. It started when Strong got called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that pushed Oklahoma State into the red zone and led to the game-tying field goal with 2:30 to play. Then a botched punt set up the Pokes in prime position to hit the go-ahead field goal with just 30 seconds left, extending OSU’s winning streak in Austin to an excruciating four games.
That lack of mental toughness cannot be a part of the Texas program in 2016. They can’t allow those opportunities to win games, particularly against teams in the mix for the Big 12 title like Oklahoma State, to slip away due to their own blunders.
This season, Oklahoma State is a darkhorse Big 12 contender and this game will mark the conference opener for both teams. Whoever wins this game will set their season off on the right foot and take an important step towards climbing to the top of the Big 12.
For Texas, it would so much more. When the Longhorns head to Stillwater on October 1, they will carry their early Big 12 fortunes with them. Will they announce their return to the conference title race or fall back once again to the middle of the pack?
Next: 3. Ending on a High Note