AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Longhorns are still very much in the thick of the Southeastern Conference title chase and the hunt for the College Football Playoff . But even they say something is missing heading into a November stretch of games that will determine their chances at either one, or both. “Our mojo offensively, is one thing I want to get back,” coach Steve Sarkisian said ahead of Saturday's matchup with Florida (4-4, 2-3).
Mojo, rhythm, flow, consistency. It's all been lacking for No. 5 Texas (7-1, 3-1 No.
5 CFP). The Longhorns rose as high as No. 1 this season behind an explosive offense led first by Quinn Ewers and then Arch Manning when Ewers was sidelined for a couple of games with an abdomen injury.
But after a 5-0 start averaging 45 points per game, Texas has averaged 25 over the past three, and has been outscored 17-14 in the first quarter in that stretch. Compounding the problem: Texas has six turnovers, allowed 11 sacks and committed 18 penalties over the last two games. Texas ran for just 29 yards in a 30-15 loss to Georgia , then managed 104 yards in a 27-24 win at Vanderbilt the following week.
The previous season low was 143 yards in a win at Michigan. Texas now runs into a Gators defense that stood tough against Georgia in a 34-20 loss last week. The Gators forced three turnovers and allowed a short-field late touchdown in final minutes for the final margin after their own turnover.
Florida has lost two of its last three, but the hard-fought m.