Texas Football: Longhorns Offensive Woes Major Cause for Concern

MANHATTAN, Kan.—The Texas Longhorns went a decade without an opponent handing the team a shutout. That streak ended Saturday in a 23-0 loss at Kansas State.

The Longhorns offense took significant steps back against the Wildcats. Quarterback Tyrone Swoopes and the offense finished the game with 196 total yards and only two red-zone appearances.

"We did not execute. We had the chance for some good plays but did not execute on offense enough to score," Swoopes said of the shut out. "It is really frustrating because once we get that offensive confidence, we get into a rhythm."

But there was no rhythm Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats defense held Texas to less than 100 yards rushing and only 106 yards in the air.

"I cannot remember the last time we had a shutout," Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder said following the game. "It just does not happen in this day and age. I thought it was something to be truly proud of."

The Texas offense looked to be progressing under Swoopes. The offense put up 48 points last week against Iowa State and had more than 1,000 yards over the last two games.

But Saturday's performance may make some Texas fans wonder if the Longhorns will make it to a bowl game in year one of head coach Charlie Strong.

The chances do not look very promising for Texas fans, and a lot of the blame can be pinned on the team's offensive woes.

Texas has been outscored by an average of 17 points, and in Texas losses this season opponents have averaged 154 more yards than the Longhorns.

Quarterbacks receive a lot of the blame when teams lose, and even more when a team is shutout. But according to Swoopes, Saturday's game was not only his fault.

"It's really frustrating that we were not able to get anything going," Swoopes said. "I do not put the fault on myself or any one of my teammates, just our offense as a whole. We did not execute, but we need to just get ready for next week so we can focus on a bowl game."

But is it logical to think the Longhorns will win three of the four remaining games?

No.

Texas will have a chance of picking up win No. 4 next week against Texas Tech, but playing on the road in Lubbock will not be an easy task. The Longhorns will then face No. 22 West Virginia, Oklahoma State in Stillwater and No. 10 TCU to finish out the season.

If the Texas offense does not step it up, the Longhorns will be watching a lot of bowl games from their couches.

Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's featured columnist covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.