Texas Football: What the Longhorns Should Be Thankful for in 2014

This Thanksgiving, the Longhorns can be thankful for a chance to upset the No. 5 TCU Horned Frogs. Without Charlie Strong and his staff, that never would have been possible.

Riding a three-game winning streak to bowl eligibility, the Longhorns sport the best defense in the Big 12, led by Malcom Brown. They also have an offense that's averaging almost 32 points per game during that streak, led by a developing quarterback and his breakout top target.

All you can ask for at this stage is an opportunity to achieve some degree of success. These Longhorns have plenty of that in these final two games.

Charlie Strong and His Staff

The Longhorns are trending up, mostly thanks to a fearsome defense and some decent quarterback play for an offense that's discovering its identity. All of that is the product of head coach Charlie Strong, his staff and what they've built in their short time together.

For all of the criticism Strong received for the harsh implementation of his core values, his Longhorns are thriving under his leadership. The Horns are winners of their last three by a 95-36 margin, securing bowl eligibility in a 28-7 win at Oklahoma State.

Unsurprisingly, it's Strong's defense that has led the charge. Under the direction of coordinator Vance Bedford, Texas leads the Big 12 in scoring defense and ranks as a top-10 unit nationally in both sacks and yards per attempt allowed, per cfbstats.com.

What has been somewhat shocking is the development of the offense, which has also been the result of some fine coaching. 

Back in spring ball, Tyrone Swoopes looked totally unready to be a college quarterback, struggling to score on the second-team defense. In just six months under offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, he has three 300-yard games, a game-winning drive and just roasted the Pokes for a 72.7 completion percentage.

And how about the offensive line that's been short three starters? Joe Wickline's group has also been playing its best ball of the year, paving the way for 593 rushing yards during the recent winning streak.

There have been some real ups and downs along the way, but Strong and Co. have proven up to the task.

DT Malcom Brown

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Even if his Longhorn career ends sooner rather than later, Brown has been a real success story for the Horns.

Be thankful for all-everything defensive tackle Malcom Brown. He'll be on his way to bigger things this April.

In the midst of one of the best seasons of any defensive tackle in the country, Brown has exploded this season. The junior has already set career highs in tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles while anchoring the middle of the Big 12's best defense.

Brown's effort has made him a finalist for both the Nagurski and Outland Trophies, all but guaranteeing he will finish the season as a first-team All-American.

From there, it's only logical to assume that Brown will move on to the NFL, where Vance Bedford believes the tackle will become a star, via the Longhorns' official website:

"

If you ask me right now, I think the young man is a first round pick. I think he will be a three technique in the National Football League. He has great football awareness and plays with great leverage. Very strong and extremely explosive and that's what the NFL is looking for in a three technique.

"

Though it would be tough for this defense to adjust to life without Brown, Texas' reputation could sure use the boost his high selection would bring. Either way, he's been a godsend for a defense in need of a true national-level talent.

WR John Harris

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Harris has come out of nowhere to become Texas' best offensive player.

Texas' first 1,000-yard skill player since 2009 will not be one of its former 5-star running backs, Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray. Nor will it be supposed No. 1 wideout Jaxon Shipley, whose brother Jordan was the last to cross the milestone.

No, the next Longhorn to break into four figures will be receiver John Harris, who didn't even have 200 yards to his name entering his senior season.

Harris needs only 24 yards over Texas' last two games to reach the long-awaited total, a virtual guarantee for Texas' go-to receiver. In addition to his team-best offensive output, Harris also leads the Horns in receptions and is tied for the team lead in total touchdowns.

Able to excel as a possession receiver and a deep threat, Harris has been the most consistent player on this offense all season. Most importantly, he has helped Tyrone Swoopes grow into a legitimate starting quarterback.

The Chance to End on a High Note

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Can Strong's team continue the hot streak to pull off one of the season's great upsets?

Bowl-eligible with nothing to lose on Thursday against TCU, the Longhorns have a chance to make some serious noise to close the season. Not bad for a team that started 2-4.

Upsetting TCU at home would give Texas its first win over a Top Five team since 2010, make a great impression on its recruits and give the Horns a four-game winning streak to end the season. The latter would be their best since 2009, when they played for the championship. 

For Texas, a team that's been blown out by 20 or more points three times this year, just having this opportunity is remarkable. It shows a level of fight the Longhorns have lacked in recent years.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats and information courtesy of TexasSports.com.