There are few things in life that stir emotions quite like college football. We dump our mental well-being into the hands of 18-to-24-year-olds for four months a year, and boy, does it bring anxiety. That nervous energy of the unknown heading into a game, the rollercoaster ride it takes you on, it’s all part of the deal. This week, Week 7, is a special one, because it’s nothing but Anxiety Bowls, as far as the eye can see. And right now, nowhere is that feeling more intense than with the No. 7 Texas Longhorns, even though they’re sitting at a solid 4-1.
The Longhorns’ Looming Disaster
Texas is coming off a brutal loss to its most bitter rival, Oklahoma, and it wasn’t just a bad loss because of the score. It was horrible because Texas had no business losing that game. Seriously, Oklahoma only scored 27 points, but Texas handed them 14 of those on a platter: a blocked punt and a horrific pick-six thrown by Arch Manning. Another seven points came after a terrible punt set Oklahoma up on a 47-yard drive. Basically, the Longhorns did everything they possibly could to let Oklahoma win, and it’s led to a whole week of “what’s wrong with Texas?” discussions. You’ve got head coach Sarkisian having to answer questions about whether Manning’s name is doing more for his perception than his actual play. And remember, this team is 4-1! It’s not like their season is over, but a loss here could absolutely unravel everything.
Deja Vu All Over Again?
Here’s the real kicker that has Texas fans on edge: last season, the Longhorns got left out of the playoffs. While Sarkisian and the SEC tried to convince everyone it was because the CFP didn’t respect their strength of schedule, the truth is, Texas lost to a Florida team that finished the season 4-8. That’s right, a 4-8 Florida team. The fear of that happening again is huge right now, and if it does, it could derail Texas’ hopes once more. This isn’t even their last tough game on the schedule, and there are plenty of “losable” contests left, especially if the offense doesn’t get its act together. To make matters worse, the Florida team they’re facing this week is desperate. The Gators were the talk of the sport just a few weeks ago after a dominant 52-28 win over Ole Miss, but now they’ve got their backs against the wall.
This isn’t just another game for Texas, not with that 4-8 Florida loss still burned into everyone’s minds. The stakes are huge, and if the Longhorns don’t get their offense sorted and avoid those crucial errors, their season goals could vanish faster than a Friday night traffic jam on I-5. It’s an Anxiety Bowl, alright, and it’s must-watch TV.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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