The Longhorns have found their way back to Austin after their third loss of the season, one that likely kicks them out of contention for the CFP. The Arkansas Razorbacks await this weekend before the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M, who is likely to walk in undefeated. Despite there (likely) not being a CFP berth to play for, we will learn about the mental makeup of Steve Sarkisian’s program.
This season has not gone the way any Longhorn coach, player or fan envisioned. An offense that was tabbed to be one of the best in the country has been an outright weakness. The defense played well early in the season, but as the fatigue of the season set in, they have let their level of play slip significantly.
No one in that building thought they’d be looking at a 7-3 record right now. But that is exactly where they are. The question now is how are they going to react?
In the current age of college football, where so much of the conversation is “CFP or bust,” you see a number of teams that had CFP aspirations coming into the season sort of fold it in when those hopes are dashed.
Every Longhorn player will have the chance over the next couple of days to make the decision of how they want to finish a disappointing season. It’ll come down to the leadership from players and desire on that team.
Now, it should be said that there IS still a world where Texas finds their way into the 12-team field. It’s remarkably unlikely however, which means they will be going into each week with no guarantees if they win. Whether or not they show the same level of effort will show everything about culture Sarkisian’s put into place.
Arch Manning will have to continue to lead. Guys that are staring down possibly their last two games as a Longhorn, like Michael Taaffe and Anthony Hill Jr, need to play like it. The young players, like Kade Phillips and Justus Terry, will be given opportunities and need to attack them with energy and passion.
If you were to ask me to bet, I’d place a hefty bet on this group battling until the final whistle against Texas A&M. That’s not to say they will win out and definitely not to say they will be in the CFP, but I do believe Sarkisian’s culture is strong enough to keep the passion there when the reward has seemingly been taken away.
There will be many questions that Steve Sarkisian needs to answer over the offseason. Adding a full-time OC, making changes to position coaches and massive personnel changes are on the table, but the next two weeks will answer one big question: Has Steve Sarkisian set up the right culture and mindset in the Longhorn program?
There’s few finishes to this season that will satisfy Longhorn fans at this point. That being said, beating two rivals and playing with all the passion and energy they did against Ohio State in Week 1 will give Longhorn fans at least confidence that Sarkisian’s culture is strong.
Elite culture programs fight when nothing is guaranteed. We will learn if Texas has an elite culture over the next two weeks.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: With CFP likely out of reach for Texas Football, the season has become a Sark culture test
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
