Texas football loaded with questions after loss to Oklahoma
The Texas football program has been in a spiraling free-fall since the euphoria of the opening week win against Notre Dame, and now the serious questions have to be asked.
If you’re a Texas football fan, just stay away from #RedRiverShowdown on Twitter. You’ll find little comfort and probably end up deciding which is the best blood pressure medication for you.
On the other hand, if you’re among those who want to see Charlie Strong gone, then you’ll be glad to know that one more chair leg was kicked out from under Strong today.
Despite No. 20 Oklahoma (3-2, 2-0 Big 12) attempting to give Texas (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) every opportunity to get back in this game, Texas refused to oblige their gestures of kindness. The Sooners committed four turnovers to just two for Texas, and still managed to be outscored and outgained in yardage.
Texas Longhorns
There’s no way to go through and sum up all the bad plays, missed tackles, missed defensive assignments and blown coverages.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, receiver Dede Westbrook and tailback Samaje Perine must have felt like they were playing a video game on “training camp” level after being responsible for most of the Sooners’ 673 yards of offense.
So now what?
Is this it for Charlie Strong, despite affirmations that he would not be fired before the end of the season?
Does the rebuilding process have to begin again?
Will the Texas defense hold anyone remaining on the schedule to under 40 points? (Yes, including Kansas)
Will Texas be changing athletic directors for the second time in as many years?
The short answer to all three questions is a qualified, no.
No, Strong will likely not be relieved of his duties before next week’s game against Iowa State, although this third consecutive loss probably closes the book on any minuscule shot he had of being retained. Move along, Charlie fans…move along.
No, the rebuilding process doesn’t have to begin again…not in total. Offensively things are actually pretty bright for the Horns with freshman quarterback Shane Buechele, but the defense is a dumpster fire being pushed by a train wreck that even Brian VanGorder would refuse to jump aboard.
No, given the current personnel and the way this defense has played in four out of five games, there’s little hope that even Kansas won’t hang 40 or more on the Longhorns (but at least they should be able to score 60 on the Jayhawks).
No, Mike Perrin is not in peril…not yet. Charlie Strong was not his hire, and he’s not had the opportunity to prove himself in the role. However, should he choose to (beyond any explanation) retain Strong after this season, his tenure will begin with a lot of unhappiness.
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There’s no quick fix for things this season. A few wins may or may not come, and there’s always a potential upset. But from the highs of what was seen as the year Charlie Strong made this HIS team after the miraculous win over Notre Dame, the Texas fan base is hitting the lows of realizing this can’t be that year.