Just because Arch Manning wasn't necessary doesn't mean Sarkisian didn't think about it

NASHVILLE – This game went exactly as the folks at Vanderbilt expected, while the Texas staff is just happy to leave Nashville with the win. There's also a situation that continues to bubble around the Longhorns, and it has to do with this offense becoming stagnant at the worst possible time.

Keeping the Commodores in the game the entire game should be the story of this contest, but there are some people in Texas who are worried whether this team will, given its offensive weakness in the second half in which it scored just six goals. can compete for a title points.

And I'll be honest, I can't blame the Longhorn fans who are worried right now after the 27-24 win over Vanderbilt. Sure, the Texas defense held strong, but if the Longhorns want to compete for a title, they're going to have to figure out how to get this offense going.

After completing his first seventeen passes, it felt like Ewers was backing down in the pocket and hesitant to lead the offense. It felt like Steve Sarkisian was simplifying the offense a bit and not having to take big risks in the second half, hence the two field goals.

The first half gave them a 14-10 lead with Quinn Ewers throwing two touchdown passes, both of which were beautiful.

But in the second half, Ewers and the Texas offense seemed to have a massive consistency problem, which Vanderbilt used to their advantage to get back into this game.

The question is: Will Arch Manning be needed again at some point? The Longhorns scored just six points in the second half while also punting, and Quinn Ewers threw an interception on two more drives, although he couldn't prevent some unfortunate tip balls.

During this game, I never felt like head coach Steve Sarkisian was going to leave Nashville with the win until Texas recovered the onside kick in the fourth quarter.

Texas QB Arch Manning after the game Via: Trey Wallace

Vanderbilt is on the way, and tonight was further proof of that

There were moments in this game where Vanderbilt found themselves in situations where they should have capitalized on Texas mistakes. But we also learned that this Commodore team, led by Clark Lea, is no longer content with just playing the opposing team, which is why the game after the game was sad.

In three games against Missouri, Alabama and Texas, the Dores lost in two overtimes, won in regulation and lost in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

“I have a disappointed team. My team expected to win this game,” Clark Lea said after the game. “There’s a lot to learn and things we can apply.”

Vanderbilt is no longer a team that can easily be overlooked.

Quarterback Diego Pavia spoke after the game about having to get better starting tomorrow. You could see the frustration in his eyes as he talked about the tip-ball interception, which he said was one of those “shit happens” moments in a game. But the days of Vanderbilt being a pushover are over, and tonight's five wins were certainly no fluke, especially the game against Alabama.

Sure, they didn't light up the box score, but they found a way to get a chance on an onside kick in the final minute of the game, and that's all you could ask for.

“We have no interest in staying close,” Clark Lea said after the loss.

Damn, Clark Lea, no one overlooks Vanderbilt anymore. This is a team that should win seven games with trips to Auburn and LSU remaining while the Dores host South Carolina and Tennessee.

I can see this team finishing 7-5 and continuing to build a program that was once a walk in the park in games like this.

What's next for coach Steve Sarkisian after the bye week?

I can already tell you that Quinn Ewers will start for Texas against the Florida Gators in two weeks, but that doesn't mean he will finish the season with that honor. The point is, the Longhorns can't afford games like these that saw six points scored on five possessions in the second half.

And believe me, Vanderbilt is a tough opponent as this team has better coaches, much better players and a leader in quarterback Diego Pavia. But that doesn't mean the Longhorns can be overly pleased with their second-half performance.

Texas AD Chris Del Conte leaves the field after victory over Vanderbilt. (Trey Wallace)

Sure, Quinn Ewers finished the game with 288 yards and 2 touchdowns. But he also had two costly interceptions that led to Vanderbilt touchdowns. This Texas team can't win a title if the offense goes conservative in the second half, and it's not all because of Quinn Ewers.

As the Texas players made their way to the visiting area, which took up a large portion of the stadium, there was more relief than celebration.

As athletic director Chris Del Conte walked off the field as the final whistle blew, he shrugged, almost showing relief that they had gotten through Nashville unscathed. And he should count himself very lucky because this Vanderbilt team left way too many points on the field.

The Longhorns have a problem right now and it's making sure the offense is actually consistent enough to compete for a title. When they return to Texas for a week off, Steve Sarkisian has more questions than answers.

And it has everything to do with this offensive moving forward.