Double Coverage 2015-09-25

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DOUBLE presents

COVERAGE Friday, September 25, 2015

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2-Contents/Calendar 2

Friday, September 25, 2015

FRAMES featured photo

thedailytexan

THE LINE UP Players to Watch Page 4 Big 12 Power Rankings Page 8 Who Needs to Step Up Page 8 Heisman Watch Page 9 Texan Staff Picks Page 10

Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff

Members of the Longhorn Band perform before the Texas vs. Cal game Saturday.

DOUBLE

presents

COVERAGE Vol. 10, Issue 5

Friday, September 25, 2015

Double Coverage Editor........................................Nick Castillo Design Editor.......................................................Iliana Storch Photo Editor...........................................................Amy Zhang Copy Editor..................................................Blanche Schaefer Cover Photo.....................................................Stephanie Tacy Writers: Jacob Martella Claire Cruz

Akshay Mirchandani

Jori Epstein

Blanche Schaefer

Jason Epstein Jillian Kushner

Ezra Siegel Aaron Torres

EDITOR’S NOTE The Longhorns have found their quarterback in redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard.

Now he and Texas’ receivers have found their confidence. As Oklahoma State comes to Austin, the Longhorns defense is looking for their own grit. Despite its 1-2 record, Texas feels confident entering Big 12 conference play.

Games to Watch Page 11

FEATURES

Wide receivers catching fire Page 7 Rudolph leads Oklahoma State Page 4 Defense finds its confidence Page 6 Texas needs defensive stops Page 5

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Friday, September 25, 2015

KEYS TO THE GAME

By Akshay Mirchandani @amirchandani41

LIMIT RUDOLPH The Cowboys appear to have a quarterback in sophomore Mason Rudolph. Through three games, Rudolph has completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 947 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception.

Texas struggled against California junior quarterback Jared Goff, who completed 27-of-37 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. But that’s not too surprising, as Goff is a NFL prospect and the Longhorns lost their two starting safeties — not the best formula to stop someone like Goff.

Rudolph is good, but he doesn’t have the experience that Goff has. He’s still a young quarterback who’s not even through his first full year as a starter. Texas needs to put pressure on him early. An early mistake could be what gets him out of rhythm.

MAKE OKLAHOMA STATE ONE-DIMENSIONAL The Golden Bears were as balanced as they could’ve been against Texas’ defense, passing for 268 yards while rushing for 280 yards — that’s a recipe for a loss.

The Texas offense will end up in a shooting match with the Pokes unless the defense can make Oklahoma State a one-dimensional team. The Longhorns have to force the Cowboys to beat them either through the air or on the ground. If the Cowboys have their way with Texas in both the passing game and running game like California did, Texas will be sitting at 1-3.

If Texas can find a way to limit one of those areas, it might have a chance to pull off the upset. The Longhorns showed flashes of it when they shut out California in the fourth quarter, paving the way for the offense to rally back. They’re going to need more of that.

LIMIT MISTAKES FROM HEARD Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard was sensational against California. He completed 20-of-31 passes for 364 yards while carrying the ball 24 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns. For the first time in years, there’s excitement at quarterback.

But Heard also had a costly interception and a fumble that bit Texas later. He’s a young quarterback who’s going to make mistakes, but Texas has to be sure to put him in a position to limit those mistakes.

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4-Opinion 4

Friday, September 25, 2015

Rudolph brings explosive Cowboys offense to Texas

By Aaron Torres @aaron_torres95

Comparisons to Brandon Weeden aren’t necessarily viewed as compliments.

The former Oklahoma State quarterback is viewed as a bust since he entered the NFL as a first-round pick in 2012.

Regardless, Texas defensive coordinator Vance Bedford compared current Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph to Weeden on Wednesday.

“He knows who his receivers are,” Bedford said.

“He knows what his abilities are, and that’s why they’re having success this year, because of what he’s done so far this season.”

Rudolph heads to Austin with 947 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception through three games. He’s accumulated as many yards and almost as many touchdowns as he did all of last season.

“He’s a different quarterback from a year ago,” Bedford said. “He’s more ma-

It’s obviously going to be a hostile environment, and we’ll see how our guys will adapt to that. I think it’s going to be a tough road game.

—Mason Rudolph, Sophomore quarterback

ture, he makes the throws, he doesn’t panic.”

Rudolph will attempt to counter the energy and production from Longhorn redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard, who has energized the team and fans in his two career starts.

Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium won’t be packed Saturday afternoon. There are still 15,000 unsold tickets, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be shaking.

“It’s obviously going to be a hostile environment, and we’ll see how our guys will adapt to that,” Rudolph said. “I think it’s going to be a tough road game.”

Rudolph hopes to lead the Cowboys to a fourthstraight win at Austin, just like he’s led Oklahoma State

PLAYERS TO WATCH

to a 3-0 start and a No. 24 ranking. His latest gem came in a 69-14 win over UTSA. Rudolph completed 17-of-23 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns.

“He was very consistent,” offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. “He took what the defense gave him, didn’t force the ball down field, his decision-making was good, and that’s what we expect from him every week.”

Rudolph has come a long way since he was stripped of his redshirt his freshman year due to an injury to then-starting senior quarterback Daxx Garman.

His relationship with Yurcich helped his transition as a starter this year.

They spent time in the film room so Rudolph could read coverages, advance

Shelby Tauber | Daily Texan file photo

Redshirt senior wide receiver Kameron Doolittle catches a pass against Texas in Stillwater on Nov. 15, 2014. Sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph will look to use his receivers against the Longhorns.

his offensive repertoire and mature from the spring.

Oklahoma State’s offense guided him to Stillwater, even though he had offers from LSU and Virginia Tech.

“I thought it would have been a great transition from high school to college with

the playmakers that they had, and Coach and Coach Yurcich both played a big role in that,” Rudolph said in a Q&A series called Inside The Helmet. “The relationship that I had with Coach Yurcich had a big pull.”

Rudolph’s teammates will gravitate toward him

Saturday afternoon. He came out of nowhere, just like Weeden did, according to Bedford.

Three years later, Weeden is the Dallas Cowboys’ backup.

Rudolph isn’t the Cowboys’ backup — he’s their up-and-comer.

By Blanche Schaefer @schaefer_bb

Quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh Texas faces two offensive weapons in No. 24 Oklahoma State’s quarterbacks – sophomore starter Mason Rudolph and senior backup J.W. Walsh. Rudolph was named the Cowboys’ starting quarterback last season after Walsh suffered a foot injury and then-backup Senior Daxx Garman developed concussion symptoms. Rudolph threw for 853 yards and six touchdowns in the last three games of 2014. He’s already put up big numbers this year for the Cowboys with 947 yards in the air on 62 completions and five touchdowns.

Expect Walsh to take some reps Saturday as well, as he’s seen action in the fourth quarters of Oklahoma State’s last two games. Walsh passed for nearly 2,900 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first two seasons as the Cowboys’ starter in 2012 and 2013. Texas’ defense has given up 815 pass yards this season, and that number could rise considerably against Oklahoma State’s heavily armed duo.

Running back Chris Carson Carson was ranked the No. 4 junior college running back prospect by 247Sports prior to his transfer to Oklahoma State this spring. The junior is already making an impact on the Cowboys’ offense, tallying up 235 yards in three games. He cruised to 104 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 69-14 win over UTSA. Earlier this summer, Carson told Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World that he wants to be one of

the top-three running backs in the Big 12 and rush for at least 1,000 yards. The matchup against Texas on Saturday could be a key turning point for Carson as he works toward those goals.

Wide receiver David Glidden Redshirt senior David Glidden is emerging as one of the most consistent Oklahoma State receivers this season. Glidden is fifth in the Big 12 and No. 12 in the nation with an average of 23.6 yards per catch. One of Rudolph’s favorite targets, Glidden is the Cowboys’ leading receiver with 12 catches for 283 yards and three touchdowns. He hauled in a career-high 145 yards on just four receptions in Oklahoma State’s 32-8 win over Central Arkansas in Week 2.

Rudolph and Glidden will be a dangerous combination against a weak Texas secondary.

Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah Texas’ offensive line is one of the weakest areas of the squad, and Cowboys redshirt junior defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah will look to exploit it. The 2014 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year racked up 49 total tackles last season with 17 for a loss. He already has 13 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2015. Fairly inexperienced Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard will be a prime target for Ogbah as he looks to force turnovers and take advantage of a shaky Texas offensive line, as well as contain Heard’s speed and run potential.

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Friday, September 25, 2015

Longhorns need to quell third-quarter struggles

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By Jori Epstein

Daily Texan Columnist @JoriEpstein

In Greek mythology, a universal storyline drives each tale. A hero emerges, with great ability and competence.

The hero encounters a challenge, the action rises and a tragic flaw – colloquially, the Achilles heel – derails the hero’s journey. In response, a hero, with the help of mentors and friends, works to overcome this seemingly fatal flaw. Often, tragic heroes are predestined failure by the gods. The lesson then lies in photothe journey.

15, Texas’ season follows this orns. storyline. The hero – the Longhorns collectively – justshows great aptitude: The dingteam finally has a talented quarterback in redshirt freshcow-man Jerrod Heard. The offenckupsive line has drastically imallasproved its protection. Special teams players show glimpses Cow-of big plays and a determinatheirtion to capitalize. Even the defense secured three interceptions and two fumble returns – one of which stud freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson took to the end zone.

The action is about to rise.

With conference play opening Saturday vs. Oklahoma State, Texas’ chance to meet its goal – a Big 12 championship, according to head coach Charlie Strong – begins now. Nos. 3 and 5 TCU and Baylor loom ahead on the journey. The rival Sooners, currently No. 15 in the nation, also pose a threat to both the Horns’ record and their pride. Even the Cowboys are 3-point favorites for this weekend.

And like every good tragic hero, Texas struggles to topple its Achilles heel — the

1-4 BEDS

Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff

Freshman linebacker Malik Jefferson sets his sights for a tackle against California.

third quarter. To be fair, the Horns have improved since last year. The Longhorns scored just 23 third-quarter points in all 13 games last season. They already have 24 this season. But against Cal last week, the Bears outscored Texas 21-0 in the third. Including the 2 minutes immediately before halftime, Cal’s run produced 31 unanswered points.

“It shouldn’t be like that,” head coach Charlie Strong said. “I look at us: We had a stretch there where if you go the last series of the first half… then the first three series of the third quarter — touchdown, touchdown, touchdown. It’s all mistakes that we’re making. It’s nothing that they’re doing. We’re doing it to ourselves.”

The Longhorns have improved their opening game since facing then-No. 11 Notre Dame in Week 1. In South Bend, Indiana, the Fighting Irish scored 17 points before Texas made it on the board. And even then, the team’s entire scoring output was a single field goal in the third. Only against Rice did Texas score a touchdown – actually three – in the third

quarter. The anomaly reflected the opponent’s weakness more than it did Texas’ skill.

Texas’ defense knows its third-quarter pressure falls short.

“Third quarter, 21 points.

Fourth quarter, zero points,” senior defensive tackle Desmond Jackson said Monday.

“We all came together as a unit. The consistency has to change…we got to stop making excuses about saying, ‘This shouldn’t have happened.’ We got to go out there and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Historically, Texas has a chance. Opponents outscored them 55-23 in the third quarter last year, but in 2012 and 2013, Texas outscored opponents 92-85 and 103-83, respectively. The upperclassmen can remember those days.

The freshmen need not worry about the past.

Texas has emerged as a hero. It showed competency against Rice and met challenges against Cal. Heard’s 527 offensive yards even felt like a scene from a myth or dream. Now, the rising action begins with conference play.

Against Oklahoma State, we’ll see what the football gods destined.

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Friday, Septe

WIDE RECEIVERS SPARK OFFENSE Heard’s ‘animals’ help Longhorns

By Ezra Siegel @ SiegelEzra

The Longhorns are fielding an offensive renaissance.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard is doing his part, however, he’s just one part of the offensive rebirth.

Texas’ receiving corps is playing a crucial role in the team’s offensive turnaround. The unit has emerged as a reliable group while consistently creating separation and making things easier for Heard. More importantly, they’re making big plays and picking up big chunks of yardage.

“We call [the receivers] our horses on the outside, our animals,” Heard said. “When you have an animal like that, you can throw the ball up and he’ll go get it.”

The Longhorns’ wideouts caught six passes for gains of 15 or more yards against California. The group also averaged more than 18 yards per reception. With speedy playmakers on the outside, head coach Charlie Strong believes big plays will be the norm.

“You have guys that can take the top off of a defense,” Strong said. “You have some threats on the outside and guys that can take the ball the distance; they can make people miss in the open field and go score.”

Within the speedy group is senior receiver Daje Johnson, who leads the team in receptions and receiving yards through three games. Johnson thrilled Longhorns fans last Saturday, torching California’s defensive backs for three different receptions over 25 yards. His big plays are sparking drives and leading to scores.

Johnson, however, has impressed the coaches with his

newfound maturity rather than his playmaking. “[Johnson’s] just working his tail off, and I think for the first time in his life, football is his priority,” said Jay Norvell, wide receivers coach and offensive play-caller.

“He loses a day of his senior year every day he comes here. He’s taken advantage of it…and it’s starting to show in his play.”

Aside from Johnson, Texas’ receivers are younger than their production indicates. Sophomore Armanti Foreman and freshman John Burt both start despite their inexperience. Yet both have emerged as reliable and explosive targets.

With six catches each, Foreman and Burt lead the team in yards per reception with 18.8 and 30.3, respectively.

They each have the athleticism to climb the ladder and make plays in one-on-one situations.

“Being a receiver, you just try to make plays,” Foreman said. “No matter where the ball is thrown, you just have to go up and make a play.”

Heard credits his chemistry and passing success to the offense’s work ethic. He said the quarterbacks and receivers regularly stay after practice to get extra repetitions.

He emphasized that the extra work helps him anticipate his receivers’ decisions and location on the field.

The resurgence in the receiving squad is developing at a crucial moment. The current group still has a long way to go, but regardless, it’s a promising start.

“How we played from Cal, how we showed everything, used our athletes, used the plays that the coaches had set up for us, executed those plays,” Johnson said. “Once we continue to do that, it will be great.”

Stephanie Tacy | Daily Texan Staff

ember 25, 2015

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Defense’s confidence high desite record

By Nick Castillo @Nick_Castillo74

The Longhorns’ defense is far from head coach Charlie Strong’s best.

Strong led Florida’s defense to a national championship as its defensive coordinator in 2008 and produced the No. 23 defense in the country while he was head coach at Louisville in 2012. Texas’ 2015 defensive unit finds itself on the opposite end of the spectrum, as it has given up 512.3 yards per game and ranks No. 118 out of 127 FBS schools.

Despite the Longhorns’ defensive struggles, Strong feels the Longhorns can turn their fortunes around.

“I look at the plays that hurt us, and they’re plays that can be fixed,” Strong said. “It’s always a missed assignment.

It’s always poor tackling…those are things that can be fixed because it’s all about fundamentals and technique. I told our defensive coaches if we get those things straight, we’re going to be okay.”

But Texas’ defense displayed a newfound confidence in the fourth quarter against California. The Longhorns were able to stop the Golden Bears and give the ball back to a re-energized offense led by redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard.

Sophomore defensive tackle Poona Ford said the defense hopes to replicate its fourth quarter success as it makes a run in the Big 12 conference.

“It’s a big confidence booster for us,” Ford said. “Being able to fight back like that, being 21 down, it just shows we can be a really good football team that we can probably go on and win this conference.”

The Longhorns defense’s quest for a Big 12 championship begins against No. 24 Oklahoma State (3-0). The Cowboys come to Austin with an explosive offense led by sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has passed for 947 yards and five touchdowns.

Texas will have to rely on its confidence to help it contain Rudolph and prevent the Cowboys from exploiting its weaknesses.

Senior defensive tackle Desmond Jackson said he and senior cornerback Duke Thomas have been preaching to the defense this week. They’ve been spreading the message — Texas has to stop explosive plays. Senior linebacker Peter Jinkens said if they can play up to their potential, they’ll be able to beat Oklahoma State.

“I feel like if we play the way we played in the fourth quarter this past week; I feel like we’ll do just fine,” Jinkens said.

The Longhorns defense hasn’t played to Strong’s level yet.

But he and the players have said they need to be focused against the Cowboys. They have to get better if they want to be Big 12 contenders.

“At the end of the day, you got to be able to play defense,” Jackson said. “You got to be able to get the ball back to your offense. You got to get off the field on third down.”

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Friday, September 25, 2015

BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS No. 1

TCU

The Horned Frogs’ offense looked great against SMU, piling up 720 total yards in a 56-37 win. But SMU put up 508 total yards against a struggling TCU defense. The Horned Frogs remain the Big 12 favorite simply because of how good their offense is with senior quarterback Trevone Boykin, but their defense needs to improve. They’ll have another offensive shoot-out on their hands this week against Texas Tech.

No. 2

Baylor

The Bears had their first byeweek of the season after starting 2-0. They will return to action against Rice on Saturday, which is the final game of their weak non-conference slate.

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No. 3

By Akshay Mirchandani @amirchandani41

Oklahoma

Junior quarterback Baker Mayfield dazzled in Oklahoma’s 52-38 win over Tulsa. Mayfield completed 32 of 38 passes for 487 yards and four touchdowns along with two rushing touchdowns. Sophomore running back Samaje Perine added 152 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Sooners. If Mayfield continues this level of play, Oklahoma remains a legitimate Big 12 contender.

No. 4

Oklahoma State

The Cowboys dominated UTSA in an easy 69-14 win at home, which put Oklahoma State at No. 24 in the AP Poll. The Pokes travel to Austin this weekend to play the Longhorns, a game that doesn’t look as easy for the Cowboys as it did a few weeks ago.

No. 5

West Virginia

Like Baylor, the Mountaineers had their first byeweek of the season. They play Maryland at home Saturday before traveling to Norman for a matchup with the Sooners.

No. 6

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders made their first statement of the season, downing Arkansas 35-24. Granted, Arkansas did lose to Toledo last week, but it’s still a big win for a Texas Tech team that went 4-8 last year. TCU is coming to Lubbock this week, but a 3-0 Tech team that’s No. 2 in the Big 12 in scoring offense might pose a challenge to the Horned Frogs.

No. 7

Kansas State needed three overtimes to finally put away from Louisiana Tech, 39-33, at home. The Wildcats were mediocre on offense, with 360 total yards through regulation and overtime periods. Meanwhile, their defense allowed 451 yards from Louisiana Tech. It was a win, but not a promising one as conference play starts.

No. 8

fourstarevents@trudys.com

THE DEFENSIVE LINE AND LINEBACKERS The Golden Bears had 280 rushing yards against Texas’ defense.

California junior running back Khalfani Muhammad had 164 yards alone on 10 attempts — the defense could not stop him. The Golden Bears were 5-for-13 on third down conversions and 2-for2 on fourth down conversions. This is a huge defensive weakness, and it is not a secret anymore. Oklahoma State will take advantage of this weakness and continue to expose it. The big men up front need to be more aggressive and stop the opposing offense.

Texas

The Longhorns may have lost in heart-breaking fashion, but they at least found a quarterback in redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard. However, the Texas defense struggled, allowing California to pass for 268 yards and run for 280 more. If that improves, Texas could make some noise in the Big 12.

No. 9

Iowa State

The Cyclones fell to 1-2 after a double-overtime 30-23 road loss to Toledo. They have a byeweek before returning home to play the Jayhawks in a game they really need to win.

No. 10

Kansas

Kansas had the week off, but plays two straight road games before returning home to play Baylor — not ideal for the winless Jayhawks.

WHO NEEDS TO STEP UP THE DEFENSIVE BACKS If Texas players want to claim DBU (Defensive Back University), they are going to need to play like their predecessors — Earl Thomas, Kenny Vaccaro, Michael Griffin, Michael Huff, and Aaron Williams. Aside from junior safety Kevin Vaccaro and sophomore corner Antwuan Davis, the secondary was unimpressive against Cal. They allowed 268 passing yards and California junior quarterback Jared Goff only had 10 incompletions and no interceptions.

Kansas State

By Jillian Kushner @jilliankushner

THE DEFENSE Texas’ defense has been exposed after three games this season. It allowed Cal to score 21 unanswered points in the third quarter Saturday. While this can be blamed on the players, the coaches deserve blame as well. When things are clearly not working to stop the offense, changes need to be made. Defensive coordinator Vance Bedford has to make some changes to the defense, since it appears none have been made so far. The defense allowed 527 yards against Notre Dame and 462 against Rice. These yards, added to California’s 548 yards, expose Texas’ weak defense. Texas is ranked No. 118 in the FBS in total defense — only nine spots away from dead last. Texas’ rush defense is ranked No. 119 out of 127. Texas ranks slightly better in red zone defense, tied for No. 85. All these rankings and numbers add up to one thing — a weak defense. With Charlie Strong, a defensive-minded head coach, people expect more from Texas. The offense is finally doing its part, and now it’s time for the defense to do the same.

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Friday, September 25, 2015

HEISMAN WATCH 1. Nick Chubb, Georgia RB 2015: 468 yards on 56 carries, 4 TD This week: vs. Southern University Georgia is rolling, and Chubb is a big reason for its success. In the Bulldogs’ 52-20 win over South Carolina, Chubb ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaging 8.4 yards per carry in 2015 behind a strong offensive line, good reads and a lot of speed. It’s likely he’ll have another big game Saturday, and I see him being at the top of the Heisman race all season.

2. Leonard Fournette, LSU RB 2015: 387 yards on 47 carries, 6 TD This week: at Syracuse He’s played just two games this season, but Fournette is widely considered one of the best college football players in the country. He ran all over Auburn last Saturday, racking up 228 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries. Fournette has great acceleration and runs extremely hard, making him very difficult to bring down.

If he keeps running this well, Fournette might be at the top of my list next week.

3. Trevone Boykin, TCU QB 2015: 65-of-99, 985 yards, 10 TD, 3 INT This week: at Texas Tech Boykin hasn’t been as flashy and big-play oriented this season, and that’s made me like him as a quarterback even more. His pocket presence has improved and he’s taking time to read the defense properly instead of panicking and relying on his scrambling abilities too early. Boykin scored six touchdowns last week

By Claire Cruz

Daily Texan Columnist @claireecruz5

against SMU, with five in the air and one on the ground. He passed for 454 yards after going 21-of-30. He’s executing TCU’s high-scoring offense very well and looking better every week, which led to him being named the Big 12’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week.

4. Derrick Henry, Alabama RB 2015: 370 yards on 54 carries, 7 TD This week: vs. Louisiana-Monroe Even though Alabama lost to Ole Miss on Saturday, Henry had a good game. He rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

Henry’s averaging 6.9 yards per carry this season and has 51 receiving yards on seven catches. Alabama’s offense is still figuring itself out, but one thing is for sure — Henry has to be the go-to guy. If the offensive line can create more opportunities for him, Henry can rack up big numbers in the SEC and give himself a better chance at the Heisman.

5. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma QB 2015: 74-of-110, 1062 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT This week: Bye Week Heisman voters love quarterbacks, and Mayfield is playing really well in his first season with Oklahoma, so I’m making him my dark horse pick this week. Mayfield was the other Big 12 offensive Co-Player of the Week after going 32of-38 with 487 passing yards and four touchdowns, along with two scores on the ground.

He’s running Oklahoma’s offense incredibly well by getting multiple players involved and looking really comfortable in the spotlight.

Jenna VonHofe | Daily Texan file photo

TCU senior quarterback Trevone Boykin drops back to pass against Texas in last season’s game.He leads the Horned Frogs in 2015 with 985 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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Friday, September 25, 2015

TEXAN STAFF PICKS

NICK CASTILLO

CLAIRE CRUZ

JORI EPSTEIN

JASON EPSTEIN

Overall Record

22-8

24-6

20-10

Last Week’s Record

7-3

8-2

Texas 38-35

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas USC vs.

Arizona St.

Oklahoma St. vs. Texas

Mississippi St. vs. Auburn

JILLIAN KUSHNER

JACOB MARTELLA

AKSHAY MIRCHANDANI

BLANCHE SCHAEFER

20-10

22-8

22-8

24-6

21-9

22-8

24-6

5-5

5-5

6-4

5--5

8-2

6-4

7-3

7-3

Texas 31-24

Texas 35-31

Texas 38-35

Texas 45-42

Texas 35-34

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

USC

Arizona St.

USC

USC

USC

USC

USC

Arizona St.

USC

USC

Auburn

Auburn

Mississippi St.

Mississippi St. Mississippi St. Mississippi St.

Texas 38-34

Texas 35-31

EZRA SIEGEL

Texas 34-24

Mississippi St. Mississippi St. Mississippi St.

AARON TORRES

Texas 38-35

Auburn

TCU vs.

Texas Tech

TCU

TCU

TCU

Texas Tech

TCU

TCU

TCU

Utah vs.

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Utah

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

UCLA vs.

Arizona

Arizona

UCLA

Arizona

UCLA

UCLA

UCLA

UCLA

Maryland vs.

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

West Virginia

Texas St. vs.

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Houston

Missouri vs.

Kentucky

Kentucky

Missouri

Missouri

Missouri

Kentucky

Kentucky

Missouri

Missouri

Kentucky

Kentucky

TCU

Oregon

Arizona

TCU

TCU

Oregon

Oregon

Arizona

West Virginia West Virginia

UCLA

West Virginia

11-Classifieds 11

Friday, September 25, 2015

GAMES TO WATCH

By Jacob Martella @ViewFromTheBox

No. 9 UCLA at No. 16 Arizona Saturday — 7 p.m. — ABC The Pac-12 gets its chance to shine Saturday with two marquee matchups. The first comes out in the desert with UCLA heading to Arizona. The Bruins survived an upset by BYU last week. Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen didn’t help the cause with three interceptions, but sophomore running back Nate Starks came through with a late touchdown to take the victory.

Arizona, on the other hand, has yet to be tested, with the Wildcats’ toughest matchup coming in a 10-point win over UTSA to start the season. Both teams can ill-afford a loss for their playoff hopes, so expect a great show in Tucson.

No. 18 Utah at No. 13 Oregon Saturday — 7:30 p.m. — FOX

The Pac-12’s second marquee matchup comes in Eugene, Oregon, with a Utah team looking to finally break through, facing an Oregon team looking to regroup with a big win after its loss to Michigan State. The Utes have put up decent results in their time in the Pac-12, but have yet to get into the conference title game. This might be their year, with senior running back Devontae Booker racking up 345 rushing yards and four touchdowns through three games. Oregon, meanwhile, will use this game to repair some of the luster lost when it fell to the Spartans.

Senior quarterback Vernon Adams hasn’t gotten the best start with his new school, throwing three touchdowns and two picks. Autzen Stadium will be rocking Saturday night with a shot at the Pac-12 title game on the line, however early it may be.

No. 22 BYU at Michigan Saturday — 11 a.m. — ABC Michigan likely isn’t going to make the playoffs or one of the New Year’s Six bowls, but this could be a defining game in head coachJim Harbaugh’s first year at the helm for the Wolverines.

BYU comes into this game after a difficult loss to UCLA but still riding high with two Hail-Mary wins and a shot at a big bowl. The Wolverines also have some momentum with back-to-back wins over Oregon State and UNLV. Of the ten or so early kick-offs, this is the game to watch.

No. 19 USC at Arizona State Saturday — 9:30 p.m. — ESPN This game doesn’t stack up as one of the big match ups for the Pac-12, but it should still be quite the show in Tempe to wrap up Saturday’s action. USC struggled at home against Stanford, giving up almost 280 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Arizona State has rebounded from the season-opening loss to Texas A&M with wins over Cal Poly and New Mexico. How they’ll perform against another ranked opponent remains to be seen, but this will be a great showdown between two teams looking to stay in the Pac-12 race.

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