Golden: Why Sarkisian is riding his offensive line so hard amid red-zone struggles

If you’re expecting a 45-42 score-fest taken straight out of 2006, then you best not tune in to Texas’ home test against Kansas State on Saturday.

Expect a rough-and-tumble football Saturday afternoon, a throwback of sorts that could serve as an ode to the old days of the modern game when successful offensive lines imposed their will in run-heavy affairs featuring stars like Earl Campbell, Billy Sims and Tony Dorsett.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian could be feeling that same wave of nostalgia, though we understand that the former BYU quarterback loves to air it out at times. That said, he knows that quarterback Maalik Murphy will be making his second career start and against a defense that has allowed only three points in its last two games.

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So the running game must be at the ready.

To that end, Sarkisian called out his offensive line in practice Monday and let them know to a man that it’s on them to fix these recent short-yardage struggles, particularly in the red zone. These are the money games that will determine if the Horns are going to make something happen on a national level or find themselves back in the Alamo Bowl, which would signify they still aren’t where they need to be as a program.

Jonathon Brooks should take center stage

The running game featuring Jonathon Brooks should be center stage and that starts with an offensive line that has frankly not been as consistent as its experience level would have suggested at the beginning of the season.

"In the end, the ball's just got to cross the goal line and we just haven't done a good enough job,” Sarkisian said. “We’ve got to continue to work at that and get that done.”

Sarkisian’s call-out came two days after the Horns scored only two touchdowns on five red zone trips and went 0-for-2 on a pair of fourth downs inside the BYU 20. Even in the afterglow of the one-sided 35-6 humbling of his alma mater, Sarkisian struggled to come to grips with his team’s continued struggles to score in the red zone. The look on his face was one of prideful frustration. Happy with the win but worried about the near future. Red-zone issues against an outclassed BYU in a blowout are one thing, but the same bugaboo against Kansas State could spell doom and the end of any CFP dream.

Right tackle Christian Jones expressed frustration that the issue has been around all season and still remains unsolved though he and his cohorts up front have the right enthusiasm to combat and eventually conquer these struggles.

“You don’t want to hear about it,” Jones said. “It’s like when you’re growing up and your parents talk to you and whatever, the best way to not let them talk to you is not to give them a reason to get upset or mad about it. It’s the same here. Handle your business and handle your job.”

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Needing to get it done up front

Despite the experience from tackle to tackle that makes them one of the most veteran units in the Big 12, there have been times when the Longhorns have failed to get that push up front in short yardage situations. Nothing grinds on a coach more than a bunch of big people who lose those pivotal battles in the trenches. They’re real momentum barometers that swing a game either way.

The Horns have only 16 touchdowns (10 rushing and 6 passing) in 33 red zone visits through eight games, a number that would be much higher if the Horns were better in short yardage situations inside the 20. The four failed tries at the Oklahoma goal line still play on a loop in the backs of the minds of Sarkisian and his staff along with a few million Longhorn fans who have to be wondering if that sequence of plays will be what they will be talking about if the team’s College Football Playoff dream falls short.

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Overall, the Horns are only 8-of-20 on third downs with three or fewer yards to gain a first-down, which ranks 113th in the country.

“As an offensive line, you definitely take pride in scoring in the red zone,” said left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. “So far we haven’t been able to accomplish that.”

Focusing on fourth downs

Sarkisian loves the psychology of the game and it’s possible that Texas’ 21 attempts on fourth down are a sign that he’s trying to motivate this offense, particularly the offensive line, through a show of confidence. Or maybe he just enjoys rolling the dice. The Horns have converted 13, not a great percentage given the stakes that normally go along with a fourth-down attempt.

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When asked what role analytics played in the area of fourth-down calls, he said, “People have told me about the book. We have a book, too, but the last time I checked, President (Jay) Hartzell and (athletic director Chris Del Conte) didn't hire the book. They hired Steve Sarkisian to be the head coach, so I kind of trust my gut on a lot of that stuff.”

And while we’re discussing areas that need improvement, let’s remember that we’re talking about a 7-1 team that's No. 21 in total offense in the country. The offense is far from hot garbage. If anything, it’s an indication that Sarkisian sees this as an opportunity to break through this season and doesn’t want it to get away.  He’s never been this close with any of his teams as a head coach. He’s built a talented, balanced group that has won games in a variety of ways, and he doesn’t want the season to fall short of something special because of one area he failed to fix.

Still, it won’t be a shock if he decides to gamble less on Saturday in a game that may be one of the lowest scoring of the season for both sides. Although Texas has won the last six meetings, only in four of the last 10 played have the two teams gone over 50 points. And who knows how much Sark is planning to throw it with Murphy against a defense that’s given up 268 passing yards per game but only seven touchdown passes.

There’s the feeling that he would love to see if Kelvin Banks Jr., Jones, Jake Majors and Co. can lean on the Wildcats up front and see if Brooks and CJ Baxter can test the league’s second stiffest run defense. Opposing runners are averaging only 3.74 yards per attempt, but the Wildcats admittedly had problems with Oklahoma State star Ollie Gordon II who rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats’ 29-21 loss, their only setback of the season.

Despite the frustrations in the red zone, it would be difficult to question the trust he has in his offense. Sarkisian believes a breakthrough is coming and that’s why he has pushed his most experienced unit so hard.

They must respond in kind.

Saturday's game

No. 23 Kansas State at No. 7 Texas, 11 a.m., Fox, 1300

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas needs to tighten up its red-zone offense