The Evening After: What Could Have Been For The Texas Longhorns

https://www.hornsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/MJ_TCU13.jpg Texas wide receiver Marcus Johnson. Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Images

 

 

 

After a 3-hour and 6-minute delay at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, the Texas Longhorns continued their domination over the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday night. The Longhorns beat TCU 30-7 early Sunday morning, with the only score the Horned Frogs mustered up was on a trick play in the second quarter. While Texas fans everywhere should be happy about the win, it has to make you wonder….

 

 

 

What “could have been” for the Texas Longhorns if they didn’t lose in Provo?

 

 

 

A game that was barely on the radar to begin the season will now define the 2013 season.

 

 

 

“Texas won the Big 12!”

 

 

 

“Yeah, but they lost to BYU.”

 

 

 

“Texas has the best defense in the Big 12”

 

 

 

“Yeah, but they gave up 550 rushing yards to BYU.”

 

 

 

“Texas should be ranked in the top 15”

 

 

 

“Yeah, but top 15 teams don’t lose to BYU in 2013”

 

 

 

The “yeah, but” is going to follow this Texas team all season long.  During the off-season, all we heard was how it was time to bring Texas back to relevance. The burnt orange brigade was tired of the losing ways… This was going to be the year the Longhorns made a statement, and Mack Brown’s team would once again sit on top of the BCS.  But…. The embarassing loss to BYU destroyed any chance the Longhorns could potentially have at a national championship run and further ruined the perception of the Longhorns on a national level.

 

 

 

“Yeah, but” is the theme of this 2013 Texas Longhorns team. The only way for this to change is if BYU can (somehow) muster up enough strength to beat Wisconsin AND Notre Dame on the road.  Then, perhaps the college football world will view the BYU loss just a a bit more favorably.  BYU blowing out Boise State does help the credibility of the Longhorns but a Cougar win over Wisconsin at Camp Randall would definitely turn more heads. If the Longhorns want to stay on track for their stated off-season goal of getting the program back toward the top of the BCS, they need to run the table in the Big 12 and get some help from BYU to boost their credibility.

 

 

 

What could have been for the Texas Longhorns? Dare I say?  A national championship.

 

 

 

Other Texas Longhorns and college football thoughts: 

 

 

• Burning Tyrone Swoopes redshirt with 4 minutes left in the TCU game only adds to Mack Brown’s poor decision making.  If a redshirt was to justifiably be burned, then do it against Iowa State and not 4 minutes until time expires in the 7th game of a 12-game season. Mack wasted a half of season of eligibility for what reason? -2 yards rushing?  Swoopes must play significant minutes in the Kansas game to make the burn-job worth it.

 

• Marcus Johnson is a wheel route specialist. The sophomore stud from League City has come into his own in Big 12 play.

 

• A heartbreaking loss for Mizzou. They had a chance to potentially go 11-0 heading into a Thanksgiving weekend matchup against Texas A&M. Instead, they blow a 17-0 lead in the 4th quarter and lose 27-24 on a missed chip shot field goal. I agree with Pat Forde, “Most. Missouri. Thing. Ever.”

 

• Don’t look now but Minnesota is building up a good program. Credit Jerry Kill for not letting his disability become a crutch and an excuse to not be successful. Despite his disability, he is a fine coach and deserves to be a BCS program head coach.

 

• Florida State is the best team in the nation. Alabama has not been impressive whatsoever this season and they don’t play anyone.  If FSU blows out Miami and Florida, they just might jump Alabama.

 

• If Jameis Winston doesn’t win the Heisman, it would be a huge shock. Mack Brown, shame on you for not even trying on this kid.