Since the early-season struggles of former starter Garrett Gilbert, the transfer of Connor Wood, and today’s announcement of Gilbert’s formal release from the Texas football program, the Texas Longhorns have become a two quarterback program.

Sure, there are several guys--including John Paul Floyd, Mykkele Thompson and Fozzy Whittaker-- who could take snaps if worse came to worse, but the job lies in the young hands of Case McCoy and David Ash.

At least for now.

With the toughest stretch of the 2011 schedule looming over the course of the next two weeks for Texas-- facing Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday and Oklahoma State the following Saturday in Austin-- now is not the time to shake the boat. David Ash and Case McCoy are essentially Nos. 1 and 1a for the time being, but the general opinion among those who follow Texas closely is that the team’s starter will reveal itself during this stretch.

On Saturday, we’ll see a mix of McCoy and Ash each doing what they do best, with the expected Bryan Harsin wrinkles thrown into the mix. Whichever of the two has the most success leading the Longhorns offense, and more importantly, doesn’t turn the ball over,  will emerge as the offensive leader for the remainder of the 2011 season.

After all, for the purposes of team cohesion and chemistry, it just doesn’t make sense for a protracted battle to continue between the two for the entire season. For Texas to move forward and become comfortable in its new skin, a hierarchy needs to be established.

Clear delineations between the first-team and second-team are important for cohesion, but also for competitiveness. Guys who are able to play football at the Division I level want to know where they stand, and who can blame them.

By October 16th, it’ll be clear who should be leading the Texas Longhorns.

Kris Hughes is a contributor to Turfburner, and runs a Texas Longhorns focused site called Bevo’s Corner.