Texas Football: 5 Things To Improve vs Cal

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong reacts during the third quarter 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 head coach Charlie Strong reacts during the third quarter 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 10, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) takes a bow (and gets a personal foul) after sacking University of Texas at El Paso Miners quarterback Kavika Johnson (7) in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) takes a bow (and gets a personal foul) after sacking University of Texas at El Paso Miners quarterback Kavika Johnson (7) in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

So far in 2016, Texas is one of the most penalized teams in the nation. They  are playing with fire if they don’t clean it up.

Prior to this season, Texas had been flagged 10 times or more just three times since Charlie Strong took over. The Longhorns were 0-3 in those games, including last year’s game against Cal. In that 45-44 loss, Texas was penalized 10 times for 93 yards. In such a tight game, giving away yardage like that likely cost the team the win (plus the missed extra point at the end).

Strong has built his coaching reputation on playing disciplined football. That has arguably been the one thing missing from Texas’ fast start in 2016. They have the talent on both sides of the ball to be a factor on the national scene moving forward but are costing themselves with so many penalties. Eventually it will come back to bite them in a major way.

Texas has survived their penalty issue so far this season but can’t sustain their success with so many flags. It hurt them in last year’s loss to Cal. Will it cost them again this year?

Next: 1. Controlling the Tempo