Texas bowl prospects dim with loss to K-State
Charlie Strong has never missed the postseason as a head coach. (USATSI)It seems like Charlie Strong’s first season at Texas has been more notable for personnel developments, whether it be injuries or the numerous dismissals and suspensions, than the on-field product. After a 23-0 loss at Kansas State on Saturday, the Longhorns fell to 3-5 and look much less likely to finish the season in a bowl game.
Texas is not included in Jerry Palm’s latest bowl projections, and given the schedule remaining, it is not a particularly bold prediction. Though the unit struggled on third down against Kansas State, the defense has proven it can play with anyone (Baylor, Oklahoma, UCLA). But can this offense keep up with Texas Tech, West Virginia, Oklahoma State and TCU?
All of those teams average more than 37 points per game. Texas has only scored 30 points twice, against North Texas and Iowa State. At Kansas State, the offense was held under 200 total yards and Texas was shut out for the first time in 10 years, a 12-0 loss to Oklahoma State in 2004.
| Texas’ remaining schedule | |
| Date | Opponent |
| Nov. 1 | at Texas Tech |
| Nov. 8 | vs. West Virginia |
| Nov. 15 | at Oklahoma State |
| Nov. 27 | vs. TCU |
But don’t count Texas out of the postseason just yet. There was a sense this week that the Longhorns were close to taking a step forward. While the performance at Kansas State — and the injury of yet another starting offensive lineman in right guard Kent Perkins — make this loss feel like two steps back, Strong will have next week to make final adjustments before the final stretch of the season begins in Lubbock on Nov. 1.
Texas will be favored against Texas Tech in that game but there is no clear favorite when stacking the Longhorns up against West Virginia or Oklahoma State. I’d also expect TCU to be favored in that regular season finale. Winning out seems highly unlikely, but so does only winning one of those games.
Right now, Texas appears to be on its way to a 6-6 or 5-7 finish. It’s a very thin margin, could be a penalty here or turnover there, but whether or not the Longhorns make the postseason will have a huge impact in how fans view Strong’s first year.
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