Stealing a column format from retired Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls, here are seven observations and a crazy prediction.

1. The Arkansas game was frustrating to watch. Texas got off to a decent start, scoring a touchdown on its third possession and taking a 7-0 lead. The defense was doing its job, forcing five Arkansas punts and one turnover by interception, shutting out Arkansas in the first half. Meanwhile, the Texas offense sputtered, punting on three of its four possessions after its first-quarter touchdown. Texas’ halftime lead of 10-0 felt like it should have been bigger. Arkansas had to feel good being down by only 10 points after the offense was completely ineffective.

In the second half, the game took on the feel of a classic upset. The Texas offense continued to sputter while Arkansas scored ten unanswered points to pull within three points, 13-10. Finally, the Texas offense put together an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to seal the win.

2. Why did Texas’ offense struggle against an Arkansas defense yielding 483 yards and 29 points a game? Mainly because Arkansas inflicted nine tackles for loss, including two sacks. The two sacks were on Ewers, who basically walked into the arms of Arkansas rushers. Another feature of Texas’ lame offense was Ewers going for 10 for 10 on throws behind the line of scrimmage for 38 yards. Why did Sarkisian call 10 pass plays thrown behind the line of scrimmage?  I think it’s because Ewers has lost his confidence, and Sarkisian has lost confidence in Ewers. Ewers did attempt three or four deep shots, but they were all badly overthrown. I don’t think Ewers is that inaccurate; I think the overthrows were intentional to avoid interceptions.  Here’s how Paul Wadlington at “Inside Texas” summed up Ewer’s performance. “He’s 38 starts into his college career facing a poor defense and he operated at barely a game manager level.”

3.There is a quarterback controversy percolating in the Longhorn fan base and commentariat. This is a modern 2020s controversy as opposed to the old-fashioned Chris Simms versus Major Applewhite controversy. The Simms – Applewhite controversy was simple. Which quarterback gave the team the best chance to win?  In addition to which quarterback gives the team the best chance of winning, the current controversy involves Quinn Ewers’ NFL draft prospects and whether he will declare for the draft or play college football for another year. In a rational world, the only thing that matters would be what’s best for the team now. I’m not a doomsayer kind of guy, but I think the rational world has been left behind when it comes to college football.

4.This leads to the question: What would have to happen for Sarkisian to replace Ewers with Arch Manning?  The Kentucky game could look similar to the Arkansas game, with the Texas defense smothering Kentucky’s offense while the Texas offense sputters against a good Kentucky defense. Unless Ewers throws multiple interceptions and Texas falls behind by more than one score, Sarkisian will not replace Ewers in the Kentucky game.

I fear that Texas, with a lethargic offense, will fall behind next week in College Station, and by the time Sarkisian has seen enough and puts Manning in the game, it will be too late.

5. Assuming Texas beats Kentucky and loses to Texas A&M, its playoff prospects would be bleak. Texas would be a two-loss team without a quality win in that scenario. Texas would need a few dominoes to fall just right to get in the 12-team playoff, such as Ole Miss and Tennessee, Alabama, or Georgia losing one of their two remaining games and the Big 12 and the ACC getting only one bid.

6. Kentucky is 4-6 overall and 1-6 in the SEC. The highlights of their season are a 13-12 loss to Georgia and a 20-17 win over Ole Miss in Oxford. Their lowlight is a 48-20 loss to Florida. In a nutshell, their offense is mediocre at best, and their defense is good when they decide they want to play.

The interesting thing about Kentucky is their kickoff and punt returner, Barion Brown. Brown is the all-time SEC leader in kickoff return touchdowns with five. He has one return touchdown this season, three pass-receiving touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.

7. It would be nice if Quinn Ewers could perform well against Kentucky and regain confidence going into the A&M game. It would help if Steve Sarkisian has a better offensive game plan than he did for Arkansas.

My crazy prediction? A&M loses to Auburn at Auburn on Saturday.

Hook ‘em,

W.E.

So many great songs, so little time.

Will Mark Adams make it three in a row?