Texas Football: 7 Things Holding the Longhorns Back from a BCS Bid

Before you go through this slideshow, understand that I don't actually think the Texas Longhorns will be playing in a BCS game next season.

They should be able to make some improvements and maybe win one or two more games during the regular season, but I don't think they have what it takes yet to make it to one of the big-money bowl games.

That being said, anything is possible in college football and that's why the games are played.

Here is a look at seven things that I think the Longhorns need to improve upon if they want to contend for a BCS game next season.

Not Having a True Leader

Has there been a true leader on this team in the last couple of seasons?

It sure didn't seem like it.

Leadership is something that can't be taught.

It's something that people are born with, and it's something that is crucial in keeping a team motivated and playing with the same level of intensity week in and week out.

The coaches do their best to inspire players, but there is no substitute for a field general who is wearing the same uniform and getting dirty and bruised up just like his teammates are.

The Longhorns won't have too many senior players on the team next season, and with a young team that is continuing to improve, someone is going to have to step up and assume this role.

Lacking an Effective Quarterback

One way or the other, this issue always seems to come up in a lot of the articles I have written lately.

With the way the Longhorns offense performed last season, can you blame me?

After having a quarterback who led you to a national championship and another one that racked up the most wins in school history, Longhorns fans are used to expecting someone prolific under center.

However, given the change in offensive scheme and the makeup of this team, Mack Brown's strategy is of course different now than it was in those several years of glory.

Texas no longer needs a quarterback who puts up stellar numbers or can run all over opposing defenses.

They only need someone who can be efficient, similar to what an AJ McCarron of Alabama or Jordan Jefferson of LSU did for their teams last season.

If David Ash, who seems to be the front-runner at quarterback, can find a way to effectively manage the game and be an efficient passer, the Longhorns will have a lot better chance of getting victories next season.

Not Being Able to Beat OU

The Big 12 title usually goes through Oklahoma or Texas, and that should be no different next year.

Last year interrupted this pattern, but with Oklahoma State losing a lot of talent and with Oklahoma returning quarterback Landry Jones, Oklahoma is going to once again be the favorite to win the Big 12 at the start of next season.

Regardless of how good the two teams are—and let's be honest, they are usually very good—this game is always one of the most heated games in the college football season and the winner typically becomes the front-runner to win the conference.

Especially after last season's throttling, if the Longhorns want to get back to the top, they have to find a way to beat OU.

Committing Too Many Turnovers

Sometimes you can win games simply by just holding onto the ball and not handing points to the other team.

Considering they had 11 lost fumbles and 12 interceptions last season, the Longhorns need to do a better job of reducing turnovers next season.

Take last season's Kansas State game, for example.

In a game in which the Longhorns out-gained the Wildcats by almost 200 yards, and that was decided by only four points, a turnover could have been the difference in the game.

Although it was in the first quarter, a crucial Ash interception (one of two interceptions he had that game) led to a Wildcats field goal and gave them some momentum for the rest of the game.

Through their first four games, the Longhorns had a plus-six turnover margin, ranking seventh in the country and resulting in four victories.

Although the schedule got tougher, it's still no coincidence that the turnovers increased and so did the losses.

The Longhorns need to minimize their mistakes next season if they want to win more games.

Not Being Able to Win the Big 12

There is no easier way to get back into a BCS game than by winning your conference.

Even if the Big 12 is horrible next year, the Longhorns can win it and play in at least the Fiesta Bowl.

Unfortunately, the Big 12 probably won't be horrible next year, and the Longhorns will have to make a lot of improvements if they want to compete for the league title.

The talent is definitely there to potentially make a run, but Texas just has to find a way to piece everything together quickly and properly.

Losing Games You Are Favored In

If you want to get back to prominence, you have to take care of business.

That means not losing games that you are expected to win.

I don't think the Longhorns should have lost at home to Kansas State or even on the road to Missouri last season, although injuries did play a role in this.

With the recent release of next season's schedule, there are certain games the Longhorns must win at all costs.

Losing to teams such as Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Oklahoma is understandable, but losing to Ole Miss or Iowa State isn't.

Win the games you are favored to win and you will at a minimum have another respectable season. 

Inexperience on the Offensive Side of the Ball

The Longhorns will have a total of 15 seniors on the team at the start of next season, but only a handful of which get significant playing time.

This shows you how young this Texas team truly is.

This inexperience truly showed at the quarterback position, where as I mentioned earlier, the Longhorns still have a lot of work to do.

The entire team is still learning, particularly on the offensive end, with a young offensive line, young running backs and young wide receivers.

All of this will pay great dividends eventually, but the quicker the Longhorns can grow up, the quicker the team will return to prominence.