Texas Football: 5 Improvements Longhorns Need to Make During Bye Week

Sep 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele (7) warms up prior to the game against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele (7) warms up prior to the game against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receivers Jake Oliver (6) and Jacorey Warrick (11) a touchdown reception against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners during the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns wide receivers Jake Oliver (6) and Jacorey Warrick (11) a touchdown reception against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners during the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

One of the biggest improvements that this Texas team can make may be the most fundamental; tackle better.

Even in their win over Notre Dame in the season opener, missed tackles plagued this defense. Against Cal, they continued to hurt the Horns with short screen passes turning into big gains after a defender missed his chance to end the play early. Getting offensive players down when they have a shot is a fundamental key to improving this Texas defense.

There is no denying there is talent on this roster. However, that talent means nothing if they aren’t doing the little things well. There is nothing more fundamentally important for a successful defense than being able to get ball carriers to the ground when they have an opportunity.

Sometimes it doesn’t take something exotic or extreme to make a significant difference for a struggling defense. In this instance, improving the simple art of tackling could turn the Longhorns into a decent defense, which could be mean the difference between success and failure for Texas in 2016.

Next: Time Right to Make Changes to Coaching Staff