Texas is back, folks! But for real this time and they’re here to stay

The Texas Longhorns beat the rival Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Showdown to take the driver’s seat in the Big 12.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Texas is back. I know it’s been a joke for the last couple of seasons ever since ESPN’s Joe Tessitore proclaimed they were back two years ago after beating Notre Dame in the season opener. That season ended with Charlie Strong losing his job, so clearly, that was a premature proclamation.

However, with Tom Herman patrolling the sideline, top-ranked recruiting classes funneling into Austin and a dominating performance, although one that became tense in the final seconds, in the win over Oklahoma, it’s time to officially say Texas is back.

This one should have a little more staying power. Now, for Texas to really be back, they have to be perennial contenders for the national championship and College Football Playoff berths. That said, Texas controls their destiny in the Big 12 and have now won five in a row after a stunning season-opening loss to Maryland, that looks even more confounding today.

Quarterback Sam Ehlinger accounted for five touchdowns in the win vs. Kyler Murray and the Sooners. Most importantly, the Longhorns offensive line was impressive and would get the game ball from me if I had any to hand out.

The quarterback power was a go-to play all afternoon for Texas. The Texas offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage and wore out the Oklahoma defensive line who was gassed by the fourth quarter rolled around and the Longhorns built a 21-point lead.

It looked like Texas would be winning in a runaway and could have some laughs and relax for a minute on the sidelines, but Murray showed why he’s a leading Heisman candidate and brought the Sooners back and tied the game late.

Sure enough, Ehlinger and the Longhorns offense never wavered or let the moment get too big for them. They marched down the field and set up kicker, and Austin native, Cameron Dicker drilled the 40-yard field goal to give Texas a 48-45 lead and the game.

There is still a long season to go for Texas who has been in this position before after beating Oklahoma only to collapse in the second half of the season. This is different, though, because Herman is a better coach than Strong and won’t let this happen. The team’s talent base has increased and now they know what it takes to win. There were plenty of growing pains for Texas and for their great fans in recent years, but now it’s time to enjoy the successes that come when a rebuilding plan comes together.

The Big 12 race is far from over. Oklahoma isn’t going away. West Virginia still looms on the schedule and the Longhorns have to avoid the hangover effect.

That said, Texas is back, folks, and they look like they’ll have staying power.