AUSTIN, Texas -- Pressed into action and for time, newly anointed Texas play-caller Major Applewhite was only able to install six up-tempo, no-huddle plays before the Valero Alamo Bowl matchup with Oregon State.

After a half of inaction, Applewhite pulled out the plays, not as an ace in the hole, but as a last-ditch, wild-card effort. The move worked -- Texas scored 21 second-half points and wore down a less athletic team -- and gave some hope that the larger shift to a complete no-huddle offense set to take place this spring will work as well.

Now the time has come to find out. Well, not completely find out. The ultimate results start in September, or maybe even October and Oklahoma, when every real Texas evaluation should begin. But the building blocks, ones quarterback David Ash can stack himself this summer in seven-on-seven drills, should be firmly put into place over the next month.

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Carter Strickland | email

Reporter, HornsNation

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• Reporter for HornsNation
• Covers Texas Longhorns sports and recruiting
• Joined ESPN in 2011