When the Big 12 conference announced Wednesday that the league would follow a fall football season, which included the release of a revised conference schedule, it was a matter for Texas and other member institutions to celebrate.
Head coach Tom Herman felt the Big 12’s decision given its charges not only hoped that there would be a 2020 season despite the COVID-19 pandemic, but that the Longhorns “added a little confidence” and “pep in their step.” Herman’s program went through its first check of camp for press season on Saturday, bringing the focus on the Forty Acres back to football.
With that comes the attention of the burnt orange faithful returning in a guy Herman has spent all season. Specifically, the head coach and everyone else in the organization ran the 2020 season for a long time as one where Texas could see things together under the current regime’s plan to recreate the program.
When asked for a call Zoom interview with reports on the importance of everyone putting their best foot forward in an attempt to win a championship, Herman showed that the Longhorns remain hungry to claim the first conference title since 2009 .
“They’ll be handing out a Big 12 championship trophy at the end of this season, as it’s currently planned – I think we should all put it forward with the asterisk – and our boys understand that,” said Herman. “It has not been difficult.”
As Herman pointed out, the Big 12 promise to try to play what is an abbreviated, 10-game regular season means not everyone in the conference (and certainly not across the country for those leagues that prepared them for a fall schedule in the midst of a pandemic) is in the clear. With that said, the Longhorns are envious of playing and focused on knowing what they can control, as Herman said, “this discomfort is not unique to the University of Texas.”
‘It calms a lot of fear and frustration because we realize we are doing the same things [as] everyone else in the country and are held to similar standards as everyone else in the country, ”Herman said. “Our job is to make sure, I think it’s been said by a lot of people, but I’ll say it again: the most mature, level-headed, rule-following team [will] be the ones who have the best chance of winning at a very high level this season.
“Our boys are completely bought into that fact.”
According to Herman, making sure his fourth Texas squad is focused on doing what it takes to win games when the rubber hits the road in less than four weeks has not required the use of motivational tactics.
The uncertainty surrounding the Big 12’s wait prompted athletic director Chris Del Conte to hold a meeting with the Longhorns on Monday. Herman confirmed that some of his players needed to hear that an attempt was being made by the forces that should save the season.
Once those fears calmed down and with Texas he only saw running back Daniel Young a defensive lineman Marqez Bimage opting to leave the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, it’s full speed ahead towards the September 12 season opener with UTEP as far as Herman is concerned.
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‘A lot of guys who needed some conversations, some guarantees that this would go OK, that they would not have to play if they did not want to, if they felt uncomfortable,’ said Herman, ‘but also if they did, what was obliged by her if she chose to play.
“For the most part, our boys have bought that and it shows in their effort and attitude on the field.”
