5 Takeaways from the shutout loss to Iowa State

1. I’m not sure there’s a word to describe what we saw from Texas tonight

Because flat doesn’t begin to accurately portray what Texas put out on the field tonight. All of the progress gained in the last three weeks is out the window after Iowa State proved to be the better team in every aspect of the game. Paul Rhoads had his team ready to play and the Cyclones physically punched Texas in the mouth from the beginning. The defense wasn’t atrocious but they could not get off the field, and the offense was a complete negative. The hallmark identity of the physical run game Texas found in performances against Oklahoma and Kansas State disappeared as the Longhorns struggled to cross midfield the entire game. This was worse than TCU and it was worse than Notre Dame because those teams were better by a lot. Which brings me to my next point.

2. This isn’t about lack of talent

Texas was facing a team in all sorts of trouble with a new offensive coordinator and quarterback and a team full of players who would never sniff an offer at Texas. The Longhorns didn’t execute and the coaches did not have them prepared for what they encountered. While many might say trap game, this was a beating that left no doubt. Give credit to the Cyclones and their coaches because they owned that game from the opening kickoff. It’s been said throughout Strong’s tenure that people will forgive you for losses but not for embarrassments. Texas is once again at a crisis point in their season.

3. Texas is a mediocre team

Failure to string together consistent performances is what separates mediocre teams from good ones. Nothing is a given, not even the Kansas game next week. The Longhorns seem to be lost in the wilderness once again looking for the magical elixir that brings them back to where they used to be. There will be questions about Strong once again after this game and even though I think it’s still a bit too early, the questions are starting to become more fair. Recruits might once again start questioning their commitments which is their right because it’s their future that looks murky here. Winning solves a lot, losses hurt a little, and blowouts are devastating.

4. Is Jerrod Heard regressing?

The truth is the progression of a young quarterback is not linear. To treat is a such is a foolish exercise, but the passing game is non existent, and the dangers Heard once posed with his legs are no longer there. Teams are starting to figure out how to defend the Texas quarterback and Norvell has not been able to counter that ability. The offense is one dimensional and seems to operate in a box of about six plays the Longhorns are comfortable with running. With games looming against high powered offenses like Texas Tech and Baylor and a road trip to Morgantown it’s tough to see those issues fixing themselves.

5. You have to win the ones you’re favored in

For a team like this, the margins are incredibly thin and you have to win the games you are favored to win. To get bowl eligible Texas now has to take three of the next four and the chance to make a late season run probably ended tonight. To make matters worse it looks like Texas will have to sweep the next three because a win in Waco to end the season looks impossible right now. You can’t giveaway opportunities against teams playing at a similar level. The good news is Texas will have a good chance to get back on the right track next week against Kansas, but all bets are off.