Are Texas Longhorns fans ever truly happy?

Craig Larson Jr.

Are Texas Longhorns fans ever truly happy? image

It’s been almost twenty years since Texas claimed a national championship, and the question keeps circling back like a boomerang: are Longhorns fans ever truly happy?

The evidence says no. Even when the schedule gifts Texas a week off, the hot takes roll on in. Steve Sarkisian can lose ground while doing nothing at all. That’s the Austin way. Fall arrives with pumpkin spice and the inevitable chorus of grumbling about the head coach.

Point out that the defense has allowed just 31 points through four games, and someone will immediately counter with San Jose State, UTEP, and Sam Houston. Suggest Arch Manning might light up the Swamp, and the response will be that Quinn Ewers already did it last year, better. In Austin, progress is always stacked against the ghosts of the past.

Sure, Sarkisian makes over $10 million a year, so the scrutiny comes with the job. But strip away the noise, and the numbers speak: 28 wins in the last 34 contests. A clear road to 8–1 before Athens in November. Oklahoma just lost quarterback John Mateer. LSU faces Penn State in Happy Valley. Oregon and Penn State can’t both survive. Alabama and Georgia still have hurdles of their own.

Paul Newman’s line in Cool Hand Luke hits different here: “sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” For the Longhorns, sitting idle this week may be the best hand of all. The only problem? Texas fans rarely know how to play it.

More College Football News: 

Craig Larson Jr.

Craig Larson Jr. is a freelance contributor with The Sporting News. Craig has been covering professional and collegiate sports for media outlets since 1990. He’s attended 17 Super Bowls 11, Final Fours and five World Series, along with multiple Kentucky Derbies, championship fights and All-Star Games.