The Florida loss left Texas with a mess to sort through, and the grades show it. The offense and coaching staff both landed at D, the defense checked in at B-, and special teams was the lone bright spot with a B+.
Texas opened the game with two scoring drives, but that was about as good as it got on offense. After that, the unit unraveled into an uneven, disjointed performance.
Manning missed open reads, Sarkisian didn’t consistently put the offense in winning situations, and the offensive line looked lost. The bigger issue is that the whole thing lacks cohesion and confidence, which is a tough place to be halfway through the season.
The fixes may be coming, but for now it’s easier to point out what isn’t working than what is.
The defense didn’t escape criticism either. Florida adjusted at halftime to the quick passing game, and Texas never really solved it.
Even so, the group did enough to keep the Longhorns in position to win, though the second half was clearly a step back. With Colin Simmons expected to be out for some time, the rest of the defense will have to carry more of the load.
It wasn’t a disastrous outing, but it was the worst defensive performance of the season, and the wear of the season seemed to show.
Special teams was the one group that gave Texas something to build on. Ryan Niblett’s punt return was the headline play, and the coverage units also turned in a solid day.
There were still a few minor issues on kickoff coverage, but after dragging Texas down against Oklahoma, this was a much better response. It was the best special teams showing of the season.
The coaching grade stayed low, and Steve Sarkisian drew the sharpest criticism. The problems on offense go far beyond quarterback play, and many of them were already there before Manning became the starter.
Sarkisian also hasn’t done enough to restore the quarterback’s confidence since the Ohio State win, and that has helped lead to the worst play of Manning’s career. Muschamp and Banks mostly handled their responsibilities, but six games into the season, the offensive staff’s failures are overwhelming.
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Steve Sarkisian said the offense needs a full evaluation, and that includes the quarterback position. With KJ Lacey, Dia Bell and MJ Morris among the names being discussed as possible alternatives, the question around Manning is no longer just about development or patience. It has become part of a broader search for answers as Texas tries to stop the slide. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Fans Still Waiting On Colin Simmons After Brutal Injury Scare
Colin Simmons gave Texas a real scare when the edge rusher went down with a lower-leg injury and had to be carted off for evaluation. The early word is that he suffered a sprained ankle, but the Longhorns are still waiting on a clearer picture as they turn their attention to Ole Miss.
Steve Sarkisian said the staff will keep evaluating Simmons, and the next official checkpoint should come with the SEC availability report later in the week. For a Texas defense that leans on Simmons impact off the edge, the timing makes this one worth watching closely as game week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]