Holiday Bowl 2011: Why Texas Longhorns Desperately Need to Beat Cal Golden Bears

The Texas Longhorns take on the California Golden Bears in Wednesday night's Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, and if they fall short, it will be another disappointing season for a national powerhouse program. 

It's great that the Longhorns rebounded after a pitiful season a year ago, but without a bowl victory to show for this season, Texas will continue trending down, which won't bode well for the future of their program and coaching staff. 

Mack Brown is getting up there in age, and after re-vamping his entire staff, the Longhorns were expected to be better. They were to an extent, but five losses on the year is far more than this storied program should have. 

Of course, rebuilding is never easy, but Texas narrowly got to seven wins on the year, which is something that shouldn't be associated with the Longhorns. 

A postseason loss will have many pondering whether or not Brown has lost his touch as head coach for Texas. Change can be a good thing at times, and perhaps that's what needs to occur if the Longhorns are unable to finish strong.

I doubt Texas would ever let go of Brown because of all the good he's done for them, but stranger things have happened. 

There's been talk about possibly extending Brown's contract (he's already locked up through 2016), but that could all quickly change with a poor showing in the Holiday Bowl. 

The Longhorns are a young team, but after consistently recruiting at a high level, finishing in the top five for the last three years, they shouldn't have been struggling so much. 

Credit the Longhorns for a strong defense, which ranks No. 14 in the country, but the offense came in at No. 44.

The dual QB system with Case McCoy and David Ash has been their downfall this season, and next year, Brown would be wise to just stick with one. 

Against Cal in the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday night, the Longhorns must shut down quarterback Zach Maynard, running back Isi Sofele and wide receiver Keenan Allen. 

Maynard threw for over 2,800 yards, Sofele rushed for over 1,200 yards and Allen caught 89 passes for over 1,200 yards. 

The Golden Bears can move the ball, meaning the Longhorns aren't going to have an easy time out in San Diego.

If Texas wants to win, it's up to the defense to thrive and for the offense to convert on key plays in the high pressure moments. 

The Holiday Bowl ought to be a good game, but if Texas doesn't walk away victorious, then the hurt will continue for a team that should be performing at a higher level instead of constantly underachieving.