Only two things about this game separated the result we got (14-7 Loss) from the result we wanted (Texas blows out the sad nuts):
Drive-extending penalties
Sad nuts failed to convert on 3rd down, but got 15 yards because of a stupid hands to the face penalty. They eventually scored on a CJ Donaldson run, and we spotted 'em an additional 10 yards because of a Malik Muhammad hold. Cost: 7 points
Short yardage erectile dysfunction
First drive, near midfield, couldn't get 2 yards to extend the drive and put us in FG range. Cost: 3 points or more
Start of the 2nd half, Defense held the sad nuts to a 3 and out, we march down the field, and can't punch it in from the 1 yard line. Cost: 7 points
Nuts had just scored to start the 4th quarter, we march down the field, and once again can't find the end zone. Cost: 7 points
Final drive of the game, defense responded to our last impotent drive by forcing a 3 and out, after a deep punt, Arch gets us to midfield, but once again can't move the chains. Cost: 3 points or more
If those two things had been fixed, we were on track for anything from a 27-7 to a 35-7 game, and that doesn't even take into account how much the trajectory of the game would have been impacted by Arch gaining confidence, quieting the crowd, and other scoring options opening up due to adjustments they felt like they'd had to have made. Maybe Sayin wouldn't have had the confidence to find Tate on that incredible 3rd quarter catch, either. Lots of coulda, woulda, shoulda.
The point I'm making here is how much these little things can totally alter the outcome of a game.