Texas spent weeks escaping its flaws and Oklahoma exposed them all in Red River

DALLAS – The storyline for every Texas game is pretty much the same. There are a few quarters of genius, mixed with several impulses of disorder. The defense tries to bail them out. There is a special teams mistake and numerous penalties.

For four weeks, that streak ended with a 4-0 record and a No. 1 national ranking, including a dramatic win over Ohio State. But at the State Fair of Texas, all the ghosts chasing the Longhorns came to a head in a 27-24 loss to struggling Oklahoma.

Texas was a heavy favorite heading into the Cotton Bowl as Oklahoma faltered on offense, scoring a combined 23 points in two Power Four games. Against Texas, however, the Sooners didn’t need much.

Texas gave them a touchdown in the first half on a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown. In the second half, they got more points thanks to an errant pick six from Arch Manning. Oklahoma also scored its first offensive touchdown in three years at Red River after defenders committed several penalties to extend drives.

Oklahoma also confused Texas with an apparent fake punt attempt that forced them to burn a timeout. Instead, they kicked a 53-yard field goal that proved vital in the final minutes, another mistake by Sarkisian and special teams coach Jeff Banks.

And then, Manning threw a brutal interception with 19 seconds left. Oklahoma put together its first positive passing sequence of the day to put itself within field goal range and allowed Tate Sandell to score a 47-yard game-winning field goal, the Sooners’ first victory in a rivalry game since 2023.

It was a perfect comedy of errors for Texas, which failed to play four full quarters against a lesser opponent. They survived against an inconsistent Tennessee team a week ago. Against Oklahoma, they hesitated.

“We need to find a certain level of consistency,” Sargsyan said. “And I know I’ve been using that word here recently. Again, that’s my job. It’s my job to try to figure that out, to make sure we put our guys on offense in the best position to have that confidence, that belief, so we can play more consistent football.”

A loss to rival Oklahoma hurts, but it will take a lot more to derail Texas’ College Football Playoff path.

David Cobb

Offense that cannot progress

Texas invested an incredible amount of money this offseason to lure several top players into the transfer portal. Receiver Cam Coleman was the No. 2 player in the class. Running backs Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown and tackle Melvin Siani also ranked in the top 60. They also invested in retaining future NFL tackle Trevor Goosby and wide receiver Ryan Wingo.

But before arriving in Red River, that translated to the No. 12 total offense and No. 11 offense in the SEC. Wingo was slow to respond when asked if the game manual was too complicated, but ultimately said he thought they could handle it.

“We need to be more consistent on offense,” Wingo said. “I feel like Sark is making it as easy as possible for us. I think it will come.”

The lion’s share of criticism has focused on Manning, college football’s most famous player. He threw three huge touchdowns against the Sooners, but his two interceptions proved costly. In his last three games against Power Four opponents, he has thrown six touchdowns and four interceptions.

But despite being inconsistent in his two years as a starter, Sarkisian rightly pointed out that the running game failed to materialize at the big positions.

“We have to find the right patterns and the right ability to move the ball consistently,” Sarkisian said. “We pride ourselves on running the ball, but I know we can be better. We have to stay committed to it.”

But in the end, it was Sargsyan himself who failed to commit. No running back on the roster finished with more than 12 carries. Freshman running back Derrek Cooper bulldozed defenders to the tune of 41 yards on the final drive of the first half, setting up a field goal. He only touched the ball twice more the rest of the game.

After the match, Sargsyan was asked if he was evaluating his role as a player after the offensive problems.

“Not a chance. We have to play better.”

Would special teams coordinator Jeff Banks, a close friend of Sarkisian, be evaluated after allowing two touchdowns in two games?

“No.”

Sarkisian brought three Alabama assistants with him to Austin: Banks, offensive line coach Kyle Flood and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee. They are the only members of his original team who remain intact. Responsibility only extends to one’s relationships.

Texas will now fall from its No. 1 ranking and could lose several spots. The Longhorns begin a five-game streak against ranked opponents. There isn’t much time for evaluation as the SEC’s work begins.

Manning, the face of Texas’ rise — and now fall — from No. 1 sat forlornly at the podium to close the news conference, primarily deflecting questions toward teammate Hero Kanu. But there is a message he left behind.

“We have to figure out how to be better,” Manning said.