Alabama may not be as good as we assumed they were but the Longhorns 10-point win in Tuscaloosa is still a great win for the team. I have a sneaking suspicion that Alabama will come around and win 10 games in the regular season and end up in the top 10 again. The win over Rice was more workman like—even for a first game—then we expected but as the season progresses, we may find that Rice is better than we thought.

Texas’ performance against Wyoming was unacceptable. The offense gained only 316 total yards. Quinn Ewers completed 11 of 21 passes for 131 yards. Take away the sideline pass to Xavier Worthy for 44 yards and a touchdown and Ewers was 10-20 for 87 yards. If it wasn’t for Worthy’s individual brilliance on that 44-yard touchdown I’m not sure Texas wins the game.

Quinn Ewers performance looked like many of his from last season. He often threw into double coverage. He often threw inaccurate passes off his back foot. You have to wonder what’s with this guy. He’s a world-beater against Alabama but not so much against any other opponents he’s faced so far going back to last season. It’s getting a little frustrating for Texas fans. I’m not sure if Sark thinks it’s a problem.  

I wrote last week; Well maybe Sark will never be a great coach with less than elite talent but to his credit he may never have to be. In his third year he has gradually assembled a deep, elite roster that he can inspire, coach confidently and win. That thought aside, Sarkisian was clearly out coached by Wyoming’s staff. It was clear after the first two Texas possessions which netted 14 yards, Wyoming knew what Texas’ opening offensive strategy would be and rendered it ineffective. Wyoming’s defense took away short sideline passes and swing passes to the running backs. They also took away passes to Ja ‘Tavion Sanders over the middle. Texas gained 100 total yards in the first half. Through three quarters Texas scored 10 points and the game was tied. It’s important to keep in mind that Sarkisian runs the offense.

As I mentioned above it was Worthy’s dazzling 44-yard run for a touchdown (he caught the ball at the line of scrimmage) that ignited Texas’ 21-point fourth quarter and the win. Though Texas ended up with a comfortable looking 31-10 win they earned no style points for those who watched the game. They were favored by 29 points.

Sarkisian deserves credit for recruiting and retaining his elite roster in the transfer-portal era and one of his elite players, Xavier Worthy, essentially won the game in my opinion. But a few more poor offensive game plans and slow in-game adjustments will get Texas beat by a Big 12 opponent. Possibly even by Baylor in Waco. Paraphrasing Vince Young during the summer of 2005, The Alabama game’s over y’all.

*****

After writing a glowing column about the Alabama game, and then watchingTexas’ performance against Wyoming, I’m reminded of something Abe Lemons said during his tenure as the basketball coach at Texas. When he was criticized for being too publicly critical, scathing even of his players’ performances he responded that If I say something nice about a player, the next day he’s in my office with his feet up on my desk.

Hook “em,

W.E.

Author’s Notes to Readers

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Hook ’em,

W.E

Ladies and Gentlemen, THE BEATLES!