AUSTIN, Texas -- There is something to be said about every play, every day. While I have never been a huge fan of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record streak of 2,632 consecutive games played, I do acknowledge that showing up is half of the battle. He showed up every day for 17 years, and that in and of itself is impressive.

Showing up in college football is very different. Texas started the year with huge expectations when Mack Brown intimated that he had a team that possessed the talent to be in and possibly win every game on the schedule.

Most pundits, fans and even poll voters, if they are honest, left the Longhorns for dead after Week 7 and the 63-21 blowout loss to Oklahoma. Texas had started the season ranked 15th in the AP poll and after Week 7 was on the outside of the polls looking in.

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Sean Adams | email

Contributor, HornsNation

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• Contributor to HornsNation
• Covered college football for over 11 years
• Hosts "The Adams Theory" on 104.9 ESPN Austin
• Joined ESPN in 2012