Steve Sarkisian Speaks To Texas Longhorns Problem Of Finishing Opponents

The Texas Longhorns narrowly escaped the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday in their Week 11 win.

The Texas Longhorns are currently sitting with their best record in over a decade, but the means of getting there has been far from pretty and even concerning.

Under Steve Sarkisian, the program is clearly in a better space than it was under Charlie Strong or Tom Herman, but this team has a disease of sorts. 

We saw it in his first season the most when the Longhorns had a historic losing streak, and even with them sitting atop the Big 12 and having a path to the College Football Playoff, we are still seeing it.

When it comes to closing out games, Texas has been unable to counter the opposing team's adjustments, keep its foot on the gas pedal, and close out teams after building big leads.

Saturday night's win over TCU was another prime example of this, as the Longhorns won 29-26 despite leading 26-6 at the half. 

Sarkisian addressed the narrow victory after the game and praised the team, but did acknowledge they need to play more complete games.

"Well I do think there's something to be said about our players having poise and composure in critical moments to make plays," said Sarkisian. "You know, tonight it was the offense having to go finish the game with the ball in their possession, and go win the game. A week ago, the defense had to get the stop, first, and goal from the five. So the idea of that is we're a versatile team and we have trust that either side of the ball can go finish the game and go win the game."

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian  / © Aaron E. Martinez, Austin American-Statesman

He touched on how he thinks it helps the team as well.

"To me, I think the players that build a lot of confidence in them, to get that done," Sarkisian said. But you know, believe me, I'm the first one to think man I sure would like to not have a game come down to one last possession at the end of the game. You know we had plenty of chances tonight for that not to happen. But, we put ourselves in that position and we had to find a way to dig deep and go finish it."

This marks the third time in four weeks that they have blown a 20-point lead in the second half and won by single digits, as it happened against Houston and No. 23 Kansas State. 

If they don't adjust one way or another, this team will have their College Football Playoff hopes snatched out from under them.