This season has been quite the roller coaster ride for Texas Longhorn fans, filled with more than enough ups and downs to last a lifetime.
As the team prepares to head to Lubbock this weekend to take on the also-struggling Red Raiders, fans have no idea what to expect from their team.
The program appeared to be headed in a positive direction after putting up their best performance of the season against the Sooners and surviving a thrilling match-up against the Cyclones when the offense exploded for almost 50 points. Sure, the Longhorns’ gave up forty-five, but most fans weren’t too worried about the Texas defense and chalked it up to a fluke.
It appeared that everything was finally coming together.
The following week, with optimism at a season-high, the Horns headed up to Manhattan, KS – a place that many Texas fans consider to be Dante’s Tenth Circle of Hell. However, while the defense played a decent game, despite giving up entirely too many third downs, nothing, literally nothing, else went right for the Longhorns.
The offense, which had looked so explosive the week before, could not score a point.
Not one single point.
Even more worrisome is the fact that the team didn’t look prepared to play, which most thought would never be the case under Charlie Strong and his coaching staff.
So now, Texas fans are left more confused than ever.
Why the inconsistency? Is Swoopes the answer at quarterback? Can Shawn Watson field a competitive offense? Can Joe Wickline put together a decent offensive line?
Even with so many questions lingering, diehard fans still refuse to give up. Giving up isn’t in the blood of the truest fans.
While all is not lost, Texas has to come away with a victory this weekend. Playing in Lubbock, particularly at night, has never been easy for the Longhorns, but this is a Tech team that gave up 82 points to the Horned Frogs last weekend and has struggled all season long.
Can the Longhorns win? Certainly. But, no one knows exactly which Longhorn team will show up. Will it be the ones who outplayed the Sooners or will it be the team that was shut out by the Wildcats?
There are no certainties for the Longhorns this season, but a win in West Texas would at least keep their bowl hopes alive, which, at this point, is crucial for this team.
Will we learn anything about this program this weekend? If this season is any indicator, probably not. But the best thing for Texas fans now is to simply sit back, take it game-by-game, and take every win and loss in stride.
