Steve Sarkisian and his offensive staff are undoubtedly above-average when it comes to playcalling in most situations or areas of the field, except for one very important spot. The red zone.
It's okay to have flaws in your offensive system and style but when it's in the most important area of the field, it becomes a huge problem.
The Texas offense only converted 77.42% of their red zone scoring attempts last season which was good for 111th in the NCAA. They constantly shot themselves in the foot inside the 20 yard line, often ruining excellent drives with mistakes near the endzone.
If the Longhorns want to have a chance at legitimately competing for a national championship this season, they need to be incredibly more efficient in this area of the field. "InsideTexas" insider Joe Cook was recently on "Andy & Ari On3" and discussed this problem with the duo:
"If there was a big problem last year, it was … red zone scoring, red zone touchdown conversions. That’s something that, of course, Texas fans are gonna key in on."
One of the easiest ways to fix this type of issue is with repetition. Sarkisian, along with Co-Offensive Coordinators Kyle Flood and A.J. Milwee, have to figure out ways to squeeze in extra red zone periods or walkthroughs during fall camp.
The 4th-and-goal Texas disaster that results in a Jack Sawyer strip-sack and scoop-and-score for Ohio State.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 11, 2025
The sideline cams show Steve Sarkisian's soul being crushed in real time on the Pat McAfee broadcast. #CFP pic.twitter.com/VipP5Ska1s
Despite it being a fairly large problem, it didn't seem like one on the surface as much during the 2024 regular season because Texas' defense was able to get the team out of some tough spots on the ensuing defensive series. Unfortunately, the team wasn't able to overcome it against Ohio State in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal game on January 10th.
"It's unfortunate that was the circumstance, because it was a really nice drive by the offense to get down there and then first-and-goal from the one and you don't score, quite frankly you probably don't deserve to win that way."Sarkisian after the Buckeye loss
This is specifically in reference to Texas' final drive when the offense couldn't score and then Quinn Ewers fumbled the ball right into Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer's hands for an 83-yard scoop-n-score to put the game away.