We have all waited, all these years, to proclaim that finally, for sure, no doubt about it: Texas is – no, sorry, not going to say it.

But if you wanted to say Texas is on its way back? It’d be hard to argue.

Look away from that opening loss at Maryland. Never mind that struggle against Tulsa. No one is sure yet what to make of Southern California, but Texas was dominant in beating the Trojans a week ago. And lest we forget, that was the same day that TCU drew widespread praise for its performance in a loss to Ohio State.

So Texas’ 31-16 victory against the Horned Frogs qualifies as a serious indicator: At long last, the Longhorns are trending upward.

It begins with an emerging defense, which in the last two weeks has made opponents scratch for almost everything.

On offense, sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger is growing into a playmaker; he was 22 of 32 for 255 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers.

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The clinching touchdown pass, midway through the fourth quarter, showcased his poise. Up by eight points, the ‘Horns were trying to grind clock, but faced third-and-7. When the pocket almost collapsed, Ehlinger stepped up and thought about bolting. With no room to run, though, he backpedaled and kept looking – and was rewarded when the pocket stayed firm – and found Lil’Jordan Humphrey over the middle for 38 yards.

The drive milked almost six minutes, and it finished the Frogs – and now it’s time to consider what’s ahead for Texas: at Kansas State next week, and then what looks to be a juicy annual Red River showdown with Oklahoma.

Could the Longhorns be a Big 12 contender?

Before we get too excited, know this: It’s Texas’ first three-game winning streak since 2014; that team finished 6-7. And only a week ago everyone was pushing TCU as a Big 12 contender. So let’s hold off a bit on the big predictions.

But like the win against USC, beating TCU signals a definite upturn for Texas. Saturday, the ‘Horns were physically superior – which is what you’d traditionally expect from the programs.

TCU had won four consecutive against Texas, by an average of 30 points. But the Frogs found points very hard to come by. They moved the ball during the first half, but found only once got into the end zone. And then game turned with two Texas touchdowns in a 17-second span late in the third quarter.

First, Collin Johnson pulled in a diving TD grab from Ehlinger to give Texas a 17-16 lead. And then freshman defensive back Caden Sterns intercepted Shawn Robinson – Sterns’ second interception of the game – and returned it to near the goal line. Ehlinger scored on the next play and Texas’ lead was eight.

It was TCU’s third turnover. The Frogs, like USC a week before, did not play well. But like against USC, the ‘Horns had plenty to do with the poor performance. And it points to possibilities that seemed farfetched just a few weeks ago. That loss to Maryland that only becomes more inexplicable by the week.

“We’re different,” Longhorns coach Tom Herman said afterward. “We’re learning how to finish each week. We took a big step last week and another this week. We’re far from a finished product.”

Don’t say it -- but Texas is back on track.