Texas Football: Longhorns Need to Clean Up the Penalties

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Since taking over Texas football, Charlie Strong has preached accountability and responsibility to his players. That has helped transform the culture of the program and is paying off on the field so far in 2016. However, the Longhorns need to worry about being one of college football’s most penalized teams.

There’s no denying that Texas is off to a great start in 2016. They are 2-0 and have shot up the polls (No. 11 in AP, No. 16 in Coaches), gathering momentum ahead of their Big 12 schedule. But in wins over Notre Dame and UTEP, Texas has committed 21 penalties for 219 yards, giving away more than 100 yards in penalties in each contest. They currently rank No. 119 nationally in penalties per game and No. 125 in penalty yards per game.

That is not a good look for a team looking to make a serious run at a Big 12 title. That is wildly out of character for a Charlie Strong team. In the last two seasons, the Longhorns have been penalized at least 10 times in a game just three times. They have given away more than 100 penalty yards just once. They were 0-3 prior to this season when committing 10 or more penalties in a game. Last season, those penalties cost them close games against Cal and Oklahoma State.

With rematches against the Golden Bears and Cowboys in the next two weeks, cleaning up the penalties should be a top priority this week. Texas will be in some tight contests down the stretch as they go toe-to-toe with some high-powered Big 12 opponents. The difference between winning and losing could come down to a costly penalty that kills a potential game-winning drive or extends an opponents’ drive. They have survived it so far, but eventually it will cost them a game.

Moving forward, the team needs to play focused, disciplined football and cut down on the penalties. They clearly have the talent to do big things in 2016. Will they undercut their efforts by continuing to get flagged at this alarming rate?

Next: Longhorns Healthy Heading to Cal