Over the last few weeks, after the Longhorns had suffered two straight losses to unranked opponents, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian started boasting about just how "intense" their practices had been.
Immediately, doubters started to make fun of Sarkisian for winning practices but not winning games.
Well, since then, the Horns have won two straight games, including a then-top-10 Ole Miss Rebels squad, and are firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation once again.
So, while even fans have been doubtful of intense practices being the recipe for success, it sure has panned out in the games... at least when it comes to the final results.
"There were a few dust-ups and fights and whatnot going on, and I like that because that tells me the level of intensity is really high for on a Tuesday and a Wednesday," Sarkisian said about practices earlier this week.
Similarly, Sarkisian's has touted quarterback Arch Manning's edginess over the last few weeks, and while a few people took the opportunity to make fun of the Longhorns' offensive leader, he has seemingly locked back in, leading Texas to a combined 65 points in the last two games.
One of the last missing puzzle pieces? The offensive line, led by O-line coach and offensive coordinator in name only, Kyle Flood.
If Kyle Flood can get the O-Line in shape, Texas should easily win out
While a certain amount of blame for Texas's offensive struggles can be placed on Manning, whether it be for his questionable decision-making or for holding onto the ball for too long, even more of the blame can be placed on the Horns' shaky offensive line.
Sure, you could point to the fact that the O-Line is without star left tackle Trevor Goosby, but even before he went down a couple of weeks ago, the offensive line was struggling to protect Manning in the backfield.
However, just as Sarkisian has praised the whole team's effort over the last two weeks, he praised the offensive line's effort over the last few days:
"They worked really hard. They're dialed into it. They're competitive. They're a prideful group. I expect them to come out and play a hard-nosed, tough football game Saturday," Sarkisian said.
Of course, over the last five years, since Sarkisian took over on the 40 Acres, the Longhorns' offensive line has been under the charge of Flood, who has repeatedly fallen short of expectations, making even a highly talented offense like Texas's struggle to produce.
While many have called for Sarkisian to hand over play-calling to his OC, the problem is bigger than the offensive schematics. There is an inconsistent presence at the line of scrimmage, and that blame could undeniably be placed on Flood.
However, if Sarkisian is as right about the offensive's line performances in practice as he has been with the entire team's intensity, we may see a renewed offensive front five on Saturday.
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