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Win over USC would bring the nostalgia Texas fans need

John Gutierrez / USA TODAY Sports

For more than three years, Texas fans have been hoping to answer "yes" to a question that keeps coming up.

Is Texas back?

During three years under Charlie Strong, the answer was always "no." The Longhorns didn't look anything like the national power they were under Mack Brown, and even the slightest bit of success was usually followed by two steps back.

With Strong out and Tom Herman in, Longhorns fans hoped things would start heading in the right direction. So far, though, it appears nothing has changed, as the Longhorns dropped an opening-week contest at home by giving up 51 points to Maryland.

A convincing victory over San Jose State a week ago won't erase the embarrassment of that loss, as the Longhorns need to beat an elite program and build off that win to escape their funk.

USC certainly fits the bill, and Texas will head to California this weekend with better days on its mind. When people ask if the Longhorns are "back," they're referring to a time when the program competed for national championships annually and, more specifically, the last time it captured one.

College football fans no doubt remember the game some call the greatest ever, but it certainly means more to Longhorn fans. Texas pulled off an upset win over USC in the 2006 Rose Bowl to capture the national title, thanks to some heroics by Vince Young.

Even though USC was looking to put a stamp on a second straight perfect season back then, a Texas win this Saturday would arguably be more shocking than the victory more than 10 years ago. Today's version of the Trojans ranks No. 4 in the country, and the disparity between teams is much greater. Texas may also be without starting quarterback Shane Buechele, who continues to deal with a shoulder injury.

If the Longhorns can top USC, though, it'd be the biggest win for the program in years, surpassing a 2015 triumph over Oklahoma - the most notable accomplishment of the Strong era. A win wouldn't necessarily signify the return of the Longhorns as national title contenders or convince everyone that Herman has figured out how to right all the wrongs, but it would take Texas fans back to a place they've long been missing.

If only for one night.

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