Texas Vs. Texas Tech: Longhorns Get Less-Than-Satisfying Revenge

For Texas, this win probably feels good in this moment.

The Longhorns wore down Texas Tech, withstanding a rally in the first half and controlling the second, in avenging the lone loss on the 2008 Longhorns’ slate. Blake Gideon and Curtis Brown, each a goat on that nightmarish night in Lubbock, snagged an interception apiece on this night. Vengeance was claimed, bad memories were laid to rest, and the Lubbock voodoo was broken.

But Texas will wake up on Sunday with a host of questions. Why did the protection issues that plagued those ‘08 Longhorns resurface tonight, as Scott Smith and other Red Raiders linemen harassed Garrett Gilbert all night? Why was Gilbert so inaccurate on long throws, and so cursed on short ones, three of them tipped and picked? Where is the running game Texas fans have long awaited? Will this defense be enough against Oklahoma and Nebraska, the bullies of the Big 12?

Texas Tech has taken a step back on offense under Tommy Tuberville, and had all sorts of problems in protection of its own. (Texas freshman Jackson Jeffcoat all but took up residence in Taylor Potts’ face.) These Red Raiders are a marginal bowl team at best.

This Texas squad might struggle against teams like Texas Tech all year.

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