Did Texas Longhorns Take Foot Off The Gas In Near Upset By Houston Cougars?

The Longhorns have yet to develop a killer instinct against inferior opponents.

If there is one common occurrence in the Steve Sarkisian era that Longhorn fans wish would stop, it is the fact that they are generational at playing down to opponents. 

In their 31-24 win over the Houston Cougars, the No. 8 Longhorns led by as many as 21 points in the first half but needed a generous spot by the refs in the fourth and a poor throw to win the game at the end. While Texas survived and advanced, which is the name of the game, they still lack a killer instinct that allows for them to pull away with leads despite it being year three of the Sarkisian tenure.

There have been a handful of double-digit leads blown in his three years on the job, and this one almost added to that tally. 

Texas Longhorns RB Jonathon Brooks / © Troy Taormina, USA TODAY

The reason for this is glaring, and it's quite ironic. Despite their mantra being "All Gas No Brakes", it feels as if it should be "All Gas Until We Lead, Then Hammer The Brakes." Not as quick off the tongue, but the Longhorns had multiple chances to deliver what could have been an early dagger against the Cougars and instead opted for conservative play calling. 

One would think with no room for error to make the Big 12 title game or the College Football Playoff that Texas would come out with a desire to blow out every opponent, but complacency is running rampant in Austin. 

Coming out of the bye, the expectation was that they'd be hungry, disciplined, and aggressive and instead we saw them look tentative, undisciplined and melancholy. 

The Longhorns return home next weekend to host BYU, with Quinn Ewers' injury status now becoming the biggest storyline of their season.