Q: Do you buy into Texas being “back” since we’ve heard this before?
A: The idea and narrative of Texas being “back” has been exhausted because we are used to a blue blood programs like Texas being relevant, and repeatedly a good year in and year out makes us quick to judge and rush the narrative.
The hire of Tom Herman has certainly gotten Texas on the path to return to its former prominence. Losing to Maryland again to open the season was a setback that will linger all season. Fortunately, for the Longhorns’ sake they did not lose to a lesser Big 12 team.
Texas will get a clean slate entering conference play and has a huge matchup this weekend in Austin as TCU comes to town. Expect this game to be close, and if Texas can hold off the Horned Frogs, then they are indeed “back.”
Beating TCU in a scenario when it is a “must win” for the Horned Frogs’ playoff chances after losing to Ohio State, will prove the Longhorns came prepared and motivated to finally play a full sixty-minute game against a team with exceptional talent. A win will also position Texas well in terms of contending for a conference title.