Holiday Bowl Preview: For Mack Brown and Longhorns, It's All About Optimism

Texas finished their season by losing three of their final four games. During that time span, they averaged only 17.25 points per game en route to a 7-5 season. The Longhorns are now just 12-12 in their last two seasons.

Some may say that it's time to push the panic button in Austin.

Instead, head coach Mack Brown is taking an approach akin to Alfred E. Neuman: what, me worry?

When asked about the poor play by quarterbacks this season, he replied: "We’ve just been inconsistent because we’ve got two young ones with a brand new offense."

When asked about the injuries this season, he replied: "We’re healthier than we’ve probably been all year."

And when asked about possible uncertainty, he happily replied: "We know who we are."

Brown would later add that the team "made progress" and that he was "happy with the way they've competed."

It may come as a surprise to some, as Texas underwent a second straight tough season. Much off their struggles came when running backs Malcolm Brown, Joe Bergeron and Fozzie Whittaker went down with injury. All three missed at least one game in the final four, with all three sitting out against Baylor.

Combine that with inconsistent quarterback play and three freshmen on the offensive line, and you can see why the Horns struggled.

They'll get some relief in the bowl game with both Brown and Bergeron returning from injury, but the line and QB play is anyone's guess.

"We’ve been going through a developmental process with [the QBs]," said Brown. "We thought we were making progress. Both have played well at times this year and both have struggled."

Winning a bowl game would be an excellent finish for the Horns. Going 8-5 in a season ravaged with injuries would not be terrible, and they would be returning a great deal of their playmakers next season.

Then, Brown would be right not to worry.

Ryne Hodkowski is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.