This all adds up to Brown’s tenure at Texas in jeopardy
DALLAS— 63- 21. That was the score in Oklahoma’s victory over Texas on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl.
Following are other pertinent numbers that are bound to surface as the inevitable discussion begins— or has begun— about whether this is the beginning of the end, the middle of the end or the end of the Mack Brown era at Texas. 118- 38. 17- 14. 2- 9. Those numbers do not require calculus. Calculus was required last week when I had a conversation with Bobby Burton, a native Houstonian and president of a college foot-
ball website called 24- 7 Sports, about whether Saturday’s game was pivotal for Brown. He said the game could be called an “inflection point.’’
I had to look it up. It can be defined as the point in which a curve begins turning upward or downward. He said the game might be looked back upon as an inflection point for Brown if the Longhorns lost a close one to the Sooners, as expected by most, and then didn’t play well for the remainder of the season.
We didn’t discuss the implications for Brown’s future if the Longhorns were so thoroughly thrashed that they not only didn’t belong on the same field with Oklahoma, they acted like they didn’t want to be on the same field.
They got off it as soon as they could, opting to not even try the extra point after their final touchdownwith no time remaining. No one can ever say there is no quit in these Longhorns.
Thiswas not a team that entered a downward curvature Saturday. This team hit bottom.
It feels tome as if this is beyond the beginning of the end for Brown. But howfar beyond will depend on whether the Longhorns ( 4- 2) can rebound over the last half of the season and finish respectably. If they can’t, well, you can turn to social media and see what the critics are saying.
You also could look at the reports of Brown’s contract and learn that, for the first time in 15 years as coach, he has a buyout clause. It’s worth $ 3.5million to him at the end of the season, dropping to $ 2.5 million on Jan. 1 and descending.
Brown, red- faced after Saturday’s game from the sun, the embarrassment or the anger that was clear in his voice, said the loss was “unacceptable for Texas.’’
Maybe. But the failure to respond to the challenges of remaining among college football’s elite is becoming routine.
Started withMcCoy
You could argue Burton’s inflection point occurred on the Longhorns’ first possession against Alabama on Jan. 7, 2010, in the BCS title game against Alabama when quarterback ColtMcCoy was injured.
Here’s where some of those earlier numbers come into play. Since that night, the Longhorns’ record is 17- 14. Against Top 25 teams, they are 2- 9. You could put an asterisk by one of those victories because it came this season against Oklahoma State, which was ranked in one poll but not the other.
As for 118- 38, that’s the cumulative score of the past two losses to Oklahoma after the 55- 17 defeat in 2011. The Sooners have beaten Texas three consecutive years.
The numbers from Saturday’s edition of the Red River Rout alone were ugly enough for the Longhorns. Through three quarters, before Oklahoma lifted its boots off the Longhorns’ throats, the Sooners had 554 yards and 24 first downs. The Longhorns had 115 yards and four first downs.
Texas’ defense was typically defenseless, allowing almost 45 points per game in the past four.
Yet, Brown saved his most scathing criticisms for the offense, which he called “inept.’’ He didn’t spare the coaching staff.
And if the Longhorns don’t improve, it’s possible the coach won’t be spared at season’s end.
Brown is the only coach other than Darrell Royal to win more than 100 games at Texas, has led the Longhorns to 11 victories in six seasons and has taken them to four BCS bowls, including the national championship game twice. He is having a brilliant career.
UT hot seat
But Texas does not have a history of patience with coaches. Royal’s successor, Fred Akers, won nine or more games in six of 10 seasons and was fired after his only losing one. David McWilliams was fired one year after finishing 10- 2- 1. John Mackovic was fired two seasons after finishing 10- 2- 1 and one season after winning the Big 12 Championship Game.
Brown was asked Saturday if he could step back and lend any perspective to UT’s season.
“You can’t tell week to week,’’ he said. “But it sure wasn’t pretty today.’’
One positive for the Longhorns is that it has to get better for them than this. Doesn’t it? Kansas State 3 0 TCU 2 1 Texas Tech 2 1 West Virginia 2 1 Oklahoma 2 1 Oklahoma St. 1 1 Iowa State 1 2 Texas 1 2 Baylor 0 2 Kansas 0 3 Saturday’s results Kansas St. 27 .............. Iowa St. 21 Oklahoma 63.................. Texas 21 Oklahoma St. 20......... Kansas 14 TCU 49............................. Baylor 21 Texas Tech 49.. West Virginia 14 6 0 5 1 5 1 5 1 4 1 3 2 4 2 4 2 3 2 1 5
Kansas State 27, Iowa State 21— TheWildcats held the Cyclones to just 231 yards of offense, in large part becauseQB Collin Klein hardly ever let them touch the ball.
Klein ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns and threwfor 187 yards for the Wildcats, who held the ball for over 40minutes, converted on eight of 17 third downs and remained unbeaten heading into next week’s showdown with West Virginia.
Oklahoma State 20, Kansas 14— They allowed two touchdowns, but the Cowboys survived a wild fourth- quarter rally by the Jayhawks for a rain- soaked victory.