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I wrote this as a diehard Longhorn fan just trying to understand what’s really behind our offensive line struggles — not to pile on with lazy “we suck” takes. This isn’t about blame; it’s about figuring out why the line looks so different this year and what can actually be done to fix it. I’m not an expert — just a fan who wants to start an honest discussion so we can all better understand the root causes (and maybe sleep a little easier before the OU game). And if Big Tony Hills or @Jeff Howe are out there — the true Offensive Line experts over at OTF — I’d love to hear your takes. You guys know this stuff infinitely better than I do (hint hint: keep the great content coming 🙂). 1. Offensive Line Execution Last year, Texas’ offensive line was a strength — ranking roughly 28th nationally in pressure rate allowed (~25.5% of dropbacks). That group even earned Joe Moore Award semifinalist honors. This year? A complete collapse. Texas now ranks 128th in pressure rate allowed, giving up pressure on over 40% of dropbacks (CBS Sports / ESPN). That’s a 100-spot swing. We replaced four of five starters, and it shows: five false starts vs. Florida, blown pickups, and almost no consistent run push. Possible Fix: Left Guard (Stroh) and Center (Hutson) are the weakest links right now. I’d try either Hutson at LG (where he was serviceable in 2024) and Conner Robertson at C, or continue letting Nick Brooks develop at LG (with 2026 in mind) while giving Robertson a shot at Center (since he gets more push IMO). 2. Quarterback Time-to-Throw (and Scheme Design) In the Florida game, Arch averaged 3.5 seconds before releasing the ball — roughly a full second longer than Quinn Ewers’ 2.58s average last year (PFF / CBS). That extra second is everything. It’s the difference between a tackle maintaining leverage and giving up a sack. But it’s not purely on Arch. Sark has clearly emphasized more vertical routes and deeper progressions this year, which naturally extend the play clock. So it’s likely a mix: a scheme built for deep shots plus a quarterback hunting them too often. Possible Fix: Speed up the reads. Call more quick-game and one-read concepts. Mix in rollouts, including Arch's favorite roll right waggle play. Let Arch build rhythm before chasing chunk plays, just like Quinn did last year. 3. Recruiting & Depth Misses This problem started years ago. Texas has missed on nearly all the Top offensive lineman recruits after the 2022 class. Some examples: John Mills (now Washington’s starting left guard) and Michael Fasusi (now OU's starting LT). The result: thin depth, raw backups, and too much hope in youth. But it’s not just about who we missed — it’s about how we evaluate. As Gerry Hamilton pointed out on the defensive side of the ball, Byron Murphy was a 3-star, undersized recruit who became a first-round NFL pick. The current staff probably wouldn’t have recruited him based on measurables alone. That’s the lesson. Texas doesn’t need more so-called “Big Humans” — we need "TOUGH humans". Guys with a mean streak, an edge, a dog in them. Linemen who finish blocks, not just measure well in spring. Until Texas recruits to that identity relentlessly — we’ll keep ending up with size without bite. Possible Fix: There’s no real in-season fix for this one. Texas needs to hit the portal hard this winter for veteran linemen who can anchor the group right away, and rethink its high school recruiting philosophy — prioritizing tough humans, not just big humans. Hook 'em!

Have a friend that went last year, it’s fine. Nothing special.

Have fun. But those events are for the sniff neck snobs and blue hairs. Give me the common rowdy fans in the food court.

After reading that, I think the season is lost. I haven't seen both lines get dominated that bad in over a decade. Georgia was close in the first half last year. Florida ain't Georgia, not even close and our Dline didn't get dominated either. That was embarrassing and I hope the players are embarrassed.

Has anyone told Sark that this isn't the NFL and these players need to be developed and not nurtured? They need to hit and be hit, that is how you develop the work ethic and mentality to make it to the NFL. Survival of the fittest, Iron sharpens iron, you don't sharpen iron with putty.

SOLD

Did anyone see Emanuel Pregnon was highest rated guard this week? And to think that we needed a guard - HA!

Except I couldn't watch the LHN

Definitely possible Sark overcorrected on this front but the bigger problem is that we just have bad roster management, blowing a giant budget on mediocre players. Need to professionalize in that aspect of the program. OU and Texas Tech have the right model here, painful as it is to say.

Hopefully we finally get to see it but I'm not sure I've seen a consistent offensive system from Texas that didn't make me want to scratch my eyes out since Penders. Sure, there was a year or two here and there with Barnes ('03, '07, '08, '11) where it looked decent but largely through Barnes, Smart, Beard & Terry it has all been really bad compared to the rest of cbb.

I might be interested, but the prices are dropping on secondary and there are some near there that are cheaper than that post-fees

Bobby called the 3 -2 start, and now everybody acting brand new. We Rolling 14 - 2, I said what I said.

The first 4 games of the season were played like preseason games. The approach makes sense in a 32 team playoff, it will be interesting to see if Texas ends up 9 - 3, and Florida wins out and is the SEC champion. Does a 9 - 3 Texas get in before a 10 - 2 Notre Dame? That’s a lot of Ifs. I’m a stop thinking and go take a dump. Hook Em. Enjoy Today and hope for a win Saturday.

Just wondering if anyone else got invited to the slightly more sophisticated "Tailgate" held at the Discovery Gardens at Fair Park, or if closetojumping and myself were the only ones? Hosted by the Chair of the BOR, the system Chancellor and the UT President - I'd expect blinis with caviar, tiny shrimp on plastic skewers and properly chilled Sancerre instead of corn dogs and beer (except I can't go). Here's my invite (seriously, I got this in the mail). And if this don't impress you much wait until you see what they have planned for the Halloween soiree the night before the Vandy game 😎

If the quote was “we stepped up hitting” the OP would be, “Sark has lost it, even Saban cut back on hitting!”

Gonna be a hot one. Wax cup me

Highlight of yesterday, as we were walking out, someone stated directly to Coach Miller, "Refreshing to see an actual offense on the court".....message was applauded by many

No, they did not pass the eye test as early as last year

Hashtag, you are grumpy, but so am I. This is definitely relevant. Thanks. Sunshine and rainbows guys get old.

For me, the eye test is coaching and players/talent Texas passed they coaching eye test for me with Miller. Talent ... he has enough to begin to show some of what we will see in the future as he builds his roster. I do believe Miller will have more complete/pro skilled talent in the future.

A his team has great talented depth too, like what are you talking about? This philosophical change is similar to Mack deciding to completely change the offense after the 09 season. Literally broke what didn’t need fixing.

It’s not only that, the IOL literally don’t know who to block. They’re the worst combination: soft and clueless.

Keep us posted

Coaches at every level deal with the tension of developing toughness and physcality while trying to keep players fresh and healthy. I don't know the answer, but I can see with my eyes that the Texas OL is not physical or playing with toughness right now.