Texas Football: 3 takeaways from Longhorns’ stifling win vs. BYU

The real test lies ahead in November

Texas fought through adversity in the last two weeks to come up with two important wins to carry a solid record of 7-1 (4-1 Big 12) heading into the final month of the regular season. The Longhorns survived the upset bid from head coach Dana Holgorsen and the Houston Cougars on the road last weekend, winning by a score of 31-24.

BYU had some interesting pressures dialed up and forced a couple of early turnovers this weekend against the Longhorns. But Texas found ways to respond in the first half to take a sizable lead in the second half. And the Longhorns never looked back while carrying a double-digit lead for over half of this win over BYU.

Texas must now deal with the challenge of the November schedule. The Longhorns host a red-hot Kansas State squad that has won its last two games in Big 12 play by a combined margin of nearly 80 points against Houston and the TCU Horned Frogs.

It doesn’t get much easier after the matchup against Kansas State, with the Longhorns traveling to Fort Worth and Ames in back-to-back weekends to face the Horned Frogs and Iowa State Cyclones. Iowa State is one of the most improved teams in the Big 12 as this season has progressed. Head coach Matt Campbell and the Cyclones sit well within reach of a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game after a double-digit win on the road over the Baylor Bears this week.

It is never easy to win on the road in Fort Worth or Ames let alone with a green quarterback such as Murphy. Texas will have to earn it in November to get a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game and to remain in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff.