The Texas Longhorns came into this season with little expectations. Coming off a 7-6 season in 2017, the Longhorns are still searching for a breakaway to becoming a dominant top-ten ranked team again. After defeating two ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008, UT may finally be showing signs of returning to its’ old historic and successful form.

Here are three things we’ve learned so far;

1. The emergence of Sam Ehlinger

Texas has received it's strongest QB play in five years so far in 2018. Sam Ehlinger is a big reason they're on a three-game winning streak: https://t.co/v3J63Dpwk0 pic.twitter.com/vwPOdjE6JK — PFF College (@PFF_College) September 24, 2018

Ehlinger was named the starting quarterback shortly before the season began. Last year, as a true freshman, Ehlinger started six games and led the team in both passing and rushing yards, becoming the first since Colt McCoy (2008) to do so.

Ehlinger is off to a good start. In three of the four first games this season, he’s completed over 50 percent of his passes. In his last three games, he’s thrown two touchdowns and rushed for one, becoming the third quarterback in school history to toss two touchdowns and run in for one in three straight games. Ehlinger is fifth in the Big 12 in average passing yards per game with 245 and his 79 completions put him in third.

2. The running game is quiet

Having an effective running game is vital for a dominant offense as it helps alleviate pressure for the signal caller . The Texas running game hasn’t been good so far as not a single player has rushed for 100 yards. The team is averaging 3.7 yards per carry, putting them at ninth in the conference.

Ehlinger has been probably the team’s most effective runner at quarterback. They are a good team without a running game, but in order to compete with Oklahoma and West Virginia they need to be able to pound the rock. The last thing they need is to be trying to compete in a track meet with those teams.

3. The defense is finding its groove

ICYMI: Caden Sterns had 2 of the Texas defense's 4 turnovers in a win against TCU. This INT set Texas up to take a 24-16 lead into the 4th qtr. Brandon Jones had the other 2 turnovers with an interception a fumble recovery 📹: @ATXANT10 pic.twitter.com/k46QjPSg5b — Jeff Barker (@JeffBarker_) September 23, 2018

Texas forced four turnovers against TCU. Prior to their bout with TCU, the Longhorns had only forced three. One of the lessons learned in their win against TCU is that the game is much easier when you have possession of the rock. Just look at Alabama during their dynasty run under Nick Saban.

Texas is second in the Big 12 in intercepted passes as well as in rushing defense. However, they’ve got a lot to work on as they’re second to last in sacks and they’re allowing an average of 245 passing yards per game.Generating some pressure up front will reduce that yardage and we should see more turnovers when a quarterback feels rushed. Texas might look to run more exotic blitz packages to compensate for that lack of a sack maestro.

Dear Texas Longhorns,

This is your alum former player @thEMANacho saying Texas stinks and deserves no respect pic.twitter.com/9XJKXDsO3p — Jon (@JonVilma51) September 22, 2018

Texas will play against the Kansas State Wildcats this Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas. Texas has lost five straight to K-State on the road so they’re coming into yet another challenge. At 3-1, the Texas Longhorns are off to their best start since 2012 and they’re on a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2014. It’s still way too early to be sure that Texas football is officially back, but they’re heading in the right direction.

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