Texas Football: 5 Things Longhorns Should Improve vs UTEP

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns players are introduced before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns players are introduced before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts on the sidelines against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts on the sidelines against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas had Notre Dame against the ropes in Week 1, jumping out to a 31-14 advantage early in the second half. But for one reason or another, the Horns took their foot off the gas, allowing an Irish rally and needing a late touchdown of their own to secure the win.

When you have a 17-point lead, you have to show the killer instinct to finish games off. Notre Dame is a talented team that wasn’t going to go away on their own. When Texas relaxed just a bit, the Irish stormed back, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to turn a 31-17 lead into a 31-35 deficit.

The Longhorns have to find that killer instinct to press their advantage and put teams away. After watching TCU struggle against South Dakota State and Mississippi State losing to Southern Alabama, there’s no reason to overlook what should be an easy win for Texas. They have the advantage in talent and momentum but they have to stay focused and finish.

That focus is going to serve them down the line when the games get big once again.

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