The No. 2 Texas Longhorns (5-0, 1-0 SEC) are currently enjoying the first of two bye weeks in the 2024 season. While the week off will be one without football on the field, it will not feel like much of a break for Texas players and coaches. Sarkisian and company are busy getting game plans ready for two of their biggest games of the season – next week against Oklahoma and the following week against Georgia . Oh, and mix in recruiting trips across the state of Texas and beyond this weekend.
The Texas players will use the bye week to get their body and minds right. An already thin running back room that has suffered physical and mental injuries needs the rest and preparation. Tre Wisner, Jerrick Gibson and Jaydon Blue have all battled injuries early in the year. Following two fumbles against Mississippi State, Jaydon Blue is likely battling the mental side of the game related to ball security. Texas really needs all of these guys down the stretch so maximizing the bye is critical.
What Lies Ahead
Some fans may be looking at the matchup with Oklahoma in Dallas as a one-sided affair thinking the Longhorns should easily handle the Sooners. After all, Texas is currently favored by 14.5 points over Oklahoma. History has shown us numerous instances where the underdog smacks the other team in the mouth early and pulls off the upset at the Cotton Bowl. Steve Sarkisian has done some great things at Texas, but he doesn’t want to drop to 1-3 all-time against the Sooners. No one on this team should be looking past the Sooners after last year in which the Longhorns suffered a crushing defeat.
Historically the Longhorns have not always looked great the week after the physical game that is the Red River Rivalry. Last year you may recall they struggled with Houston after playing the Sooners. This year the Longhorns face the best team on their 2024 schedule as they welcome the Georgia Bulldogs to Austin. Georgia recently lost to Alabama in a thrilling back and forth game, meaning even with the expanded College Football Playoff they cannot lose again and feel comfortable about making it in. Texas and Georgia is set to be an amazing game between two great teams but the Longhorns will have to recover quickly from the Red River Rivalry in order to beat a talented Bulldog team.
Where Texas Needs to Improve Following the Bye
Offense
The biggest concern in Sarkisian’s explosive offense has been self-inflicted penalties, especially on the offensive line. Right tackle Cam Williams has been good so far this season, but Georgia and Oklahoma will test him like he hasn’t been tested. Right guard DJ Campbell has had an issue with false starts and holding which is something that must be cleaned up.
The run game has been really hot and cold this year for the Longhorns. Cedric Baxter’s injury in fall practice didn’t help. If the run game can just be average, that will help out the already explosive passing game. Getting Quinn Ewers back against Oklahoma should help the run game as teams will not pack the box like they may have done against Arch Manning.
Defense
The Texas defense has been elite as a unit for the most part. The Longhorns are giving up just seven points per game which is tied for second in the country. With that being said the Longhorns have not faced an elite offense yet, although that may not come in the regular season. Oklahoma has an average offense at best and Georgia has a fine offense, but would not categorize as elite. Georgia will test Texas on defense like no other team has though.
The Longhorns rank 31st in the country with 13 sacks but that number could be higher. That number is something Texas can live with although more pressure on the quarterback is always better. The Longhorns are just +2 in the turnover margin on the year which ranks 50th in the country. If the Longhorn defense can create more turnovers, it will allow Texas to separate from their opponents quickly. They will be facing better offenses and teams overall meaning turnovers will be much more magnified.
