5 Positive Things for Texas Football to Build On from Oklahoma Loss

Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele (7) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Shane Buechele (7) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Dylan Haines (14) intercepts a pass intended for Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Grant Bothun (84) in the first quarter at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Dylan Haines (14) intercepts a pass intended for Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Grant Bothun (84) in the first quarter at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas had just one turnover coming into the game on Saturday. That changed in a big way against Oklahoma as the Horns managed to force four turnovers, including two interceptions (their first picks of the year).

Creating turnovers had to have been a central focus for this team going into the Red River Showdown. Dylan Haines finally showed off his ball-hawking abilities, snagging both interceptions for the Horns. Additionally, the Texas defense was aggressively swarming Joe Mixon all day, forcing three fumbles and recovering two of them. It was the first time this season Texas has been in the positive for turnover margin for a game.

Now, the Longhorns failed to do much with those turnovers, getting outscored on points off turnovers 14-3 despite a 4-2 turnover advantage. That’s an issue that has to be addressed as Texas can’t afford to let opportunities slip away like that. However, the first step is getting those turnovers and the Horns were finally able to do that in this game.

That aggressiveness should be something Texas holds onto moving forward. They are going to need to continue to create turnovers to stop drives because just tackling people to force punts hasn’t worked out so well lately.

Can these positives be the building blocks to a possible winning streak for Texas? We’ll find out this Saturday when the Horns return home (finally) to play Iowa State.

Next: No Room for Error Left for Charlie Strong, Texas