Double Coverage 10-05-2012

the daily texan presents Vol. 7, issue 6 october 5, 2012

moving mountains page 12

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Friday, October 5, 2012

thelineup 4

Gray gears up for big game

6

Rushing attack remains dynamic

11 No. 23 Carrington Byndom | Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo Cover photo by Zachary Strain | Daily Texan file photo

previews&Notebooks 7 8 20

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Players to watch

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keys to the game big 12 notebook

the daily texan presents

october 5, 2012

Vol. 7, issue 6

Double Coverage Editor............Nick Cremona Design Editor............................Natasha Smith Photo Editor.............................Elisabeth Dillon Copy Editor........................................Trey Scott Writers...................................Christian Corona ..................................................Lauren Giudice ...................................................Chris Hummer ....................................................Wes Maulsby ...............................................Peter Sblendorio ................................................Sara Beth Purdy .......................................................Hank South ....................................................Matt Warden

He may be a freshman, but Johnathan Gray has already shown maturity filling in for an injured Malcolm Brown.

There’s been no shortage of production from the deep pool of Texas running backs through four games this year.

MOuntaineers hit the road

West Virginia and Texas have met once before, with the Mountaineers emerging with a 7-6 win. That was in 1956 and now they’re back in hopes of an encore.

A man named geno

The Longhorns will have their hands full with Geno Smith and the rest of the Mountaineer offense come Saturday. It will be up to the entire Texas defense to put the brakes on West Virginia’s heavy offensive ouptut.

Horns garner respect

West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen knows the Longhorns are performing better than they have in previous years and he’s ready to see if his team can hang with one of the conference’s best.

West Virginia made a statement in its Big 12 conference opener against Baylor last week, but the Longhorns were not to be outdone as they secured a win over a resilient Oklahoma State squad. Now the Mountaineers and Longhorns face off in a clash of titans in Austin. My prediction—Texas 40, West Virginia 37. Double Coverage will return Wednesday to preview Oklahoma.

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Linebackers losing grip in wake of Hicks’ absence

By Chris Hummer When the Longhorns lined up to begin the game against Oklahoma State on defense, there was experience all around. The secondary was filled with upperclassmen and the defensive line featured cagy veterans.

The linbacking corps, however, served as the exception.

Combined, sophomore Steve Edmond and junior Demarco Cobbs had made six starts entering the contest, and freshman Dalton Santos was making his first ever collegiate start in place of Jordan Hicks, who was out with a hip injury.

The inexperience showed in their play, too. Cobbs, Santos and Edmond consistently took bad angles to the football, didn’t tackle well and looked confused as to their assignments, especially in defending against the hurry-up offense the Cowboys employed.

“Our youth and inexperience is showing up,” defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “We’re playing in difficult environments, difficult learning environments. Nobody has any sympathy for our plight ... Nobody is going to wait for us to grow up. We have to do it in a hurry.”

A big part of their issues

stem from Hicks’ injury. He’s the leader of the unit, makes adjustments at the line and just keeps his fellow linebackers accountable. Not to mention the fact that he’s an excellent player himself — Hicks is still the fourthleading tackler on the team despite missing a game.

As of now, Hicks’ status for the West Virginia game is unknown. But if he’s out again the Longhorn defense will continue to skip a beat.

“It was very tough out there without Jordan, because he’s a big leader,” defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat said. “But, Jordan’s been in their ear all week, so it helps to have him around talking to everybody.”

With or without Hicks, the linebackers must elevate their level of play, otherwise Geno Smith and West Virginia’s 53-point-per-game offense will dissect Texas’ defense at will.

The linebackers serve as an in-between for the secondary and the front four. Their job is to contain the run from reaching the second level and to defend the middle of the field and the edges in the passing game.

Against Oklahoma State, they failed to excel in either of these aspects. Joesph Randle and the Cowboys’ rushing attack gashed Texas for 275 yards, and it wasn’t

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo Freshman Dalton Santos (55) started in place of an injured Jordan Hicks last week against Oklahoma State and he could be in line for more work again this week with Hicks’ status still up in the air against West Virginia.

much better defending the pass, as true freshman quarterback J.W. Walsh threw for 301 yards, with the majority of those coming over the middle of the field.

“You have to take something away,” head coach Mack Brown said. “We didn’t

either way. That’s something we have to try to do a better job of this weekend. We’ve got to be more physical.”

Intensity attacking the ball is great, but the linebackers really need to focus on staying in lanes and playing the correct coverage. Diaz was

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quick to point to the linebackers’ youth as a reason for their struggles and was pretty candid in saying that the game moved quickly for the group.

“Some of the things they saw when they watched the film, they couldn’t even believe that it was them on film,” Diaz

said. “They saw it, and they just couldn’t believe the simplicity of the mistakes they made.”

They’ll have to alleviate their issues quickly; otherwise the 578 yards of offense Oklahoma State put up will look light compared to what West Virginia could do on Saturday.

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GRAY MATTERS Freshman back earns bigger role after Brown suffers ankle injury

By Chris Hummer

Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo Freshman Johnathan Gray (32) has wasted no time asserting his dominance in the Texas backfield .

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It didn’t take long for Johnathan Gray to take command of the Texas backfield.

With the Longhorns down 33-28 in the middle of the fourth quarter in front of a hostile Oklahoma State crowd, co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin put the ball in Gray’s hands, giving him control of the “Wild” formation.

And for four straight plays in Cowboy territory Gray juked, slashed, and powered himself for 30 yards to reach the Oklahoma State one-yard line. He didn’t finish the job with a touchdown — big bruiser Joe Bergeron saw to that — but it was still a huge step for the freshman.

“He showed confidence, toughness and poise,” head coach Mack Brown said. “I thought it was the first time this year I saw him run with the confidence and patience he did in high school.”

Gray wasn’t just any back in high school, either. At Aledo, Gray rushed for 10,908 yards and a nationalrecord 205 touchdowns, and that’s not even counting the dozens of Texas rushing and scoring lists he currently sits atop of.

When he stepped onto the 40 Acres, however, none of those stats mattered.

He was just a freshman, and not only that, a freshman in the perhaps deepest backfield in America. Gray found himself situated behind Bergeron and Malcolm Brown – the top fullback and

running back recruit in the 2011 class, respectively – and he was below Jeremy Hills, a senior with much more experience blocking.

Through the first four games, Gray’s workload was low. Against Wyoming he only received five carries, the next week against New Mexico, seven, and versus Ole Miss, Gray garnered nine touches.

During that time period Gray’s workload steadily increased as he wowed his teammates and coaches with his work ethic. He picked up on information regarding the system quickl, and worked hard in practice to instill what he learned into his game.

“He’s really mature for his age,” Hills said. “He’s really good at taking what he learns in the film room out on the practice field and developing it.”

But what really separates Gray from most freshmen is the maturity factor Hills mentioned. Many highlytouted freshmen will enter campus and think their natural talent will help them excel at the college level, as it did in high school where they were often the best player on the field. They don’t listen to coaches right away, and it ends up costing them production and playing time. Gray’s not like that; he’s an upperclassman in an 18-year-old’s body.

“He’s not hard-headed like myself or other guys really early on,” Hills said with a grin. “So he can go out there and play like an older guy.”

His poise is exactly the

‘

He’s really mature for his age. He’s really good at taking what he learns in the film room out on the practice field and developing it.

—Jeremy Hills, Senior running back

reason Harsin felt comfortable putting the ball in Gray’s hands in a key situation. He had been handling the wild formation well in practice, so well in fact that his performance reminded Brown of the player who made it famous at Texas last season.

“He’s handling the wild formation like a fifth-year senior; he’s handling it like Fozzy [Whittaker] did,” Brown said. “We didn’t know that in the preseason, we just weren’t sure who the guy was and what he was, but it’s definitely him.”

It will have to continue to be Gray too, Malcolm Brown has been ruled out this week with a high ankle sprain, so Gray is expected to absorb the majority of his carries against West Virginia.

The Mountaineers will be Texas’ toughest test thus far this season, same goes for Gray, but with his maturity expect him to take full advantage of the opportunity.

friday, october 5, 2012

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next issue october 10

RED RIVER RIVALRY Texas vs. Oklahoma Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan file photo Senior tailback D.J. Monroe has been deployed in a number of different roles within the Texas offense, but his biggest contribution this year has been his explosive kick returns.

D.J. mixes talents to help Horns

By Lauren Giudice D.J. Monroe is one of those players that everyone loves. He’s the kind of guy that everybody roots for.

Texas fans, his teammates and his coaches alike have all been pulling for him find success on the field.

And this season, he has finally found it.

The fifth-year senior has been the heart and soul of this Texas team and last Saturday, his 100-yard punt return for a touchdown gave the Longhorns a 21-14 lead at the end of the first quarter against OSU. Monroe set a Texas record with the third kick return touchdown of his career.

Before Saturday, he was tied with Fozzy Whittaker with two returns.

“I was pretty excited about it,” Monroe said. “I just thank everybody [on the return team], I thank them first before I took the credit. Those

guys are there for me blood, sweat and tears. I’ve always told them, “Just get on your man and hold on and I’ll do the rest.”

He did just that and broke two tackles during the return and displayed how his physical play has improved this season.

During his time at Texas, Monroe’s role has continually changed. He has been going back and forth from wide receiver to running back, but now he is finally getting his time to shine. His teammates are glad to see him getting the credit he has always deserved.

“He was older than me when I came in,” said junior offensive guard Mason Walters. “I feel like he’s really old.

Just to see how he is week in and week out is really inspiring. There’s guys out there like D.J. that have put the time in and really deserve to have it handed to them, and they still work their tail off.”

Teams need players like Monroe to look up to. The

Longhorns are continuing their rebuilding and though he isn’t a young superstar running back like Malcolm Brown or Joe Bergeron, he brings a spark to the offense.

On Saturday when he sped down the field, he did just that.

He doesn’t worry about what position he’s playing, he just focuses on what he has to do to win. His teammates often call him a selfless player.

Monroe also ran track and field at Texas, but this season he chose to not run track in order to improve in football and become one of the football team’s leaders. He is one of the many seniors who plans on leaving the team as they found it, positioned in a BCS bowl game come season’s end.

“D.J. is definitely a big inspiration on the team,” said offensive tackle Trey Hopkins. “Even when he’s not getting the ball, he’s inspiring the guys on the sideline. When he gets the ball in his hand, he’s going to do whatever he

has to do, claw, scratch, to make that play for us” As one of the older members of the team, Monroe has been working to help freshmen understand their role on the team. He is certainly leading by example.

Monroe plans to graduate in December and like many who have come before him, he feels his time at Texas has gone by too quickly.

“To be honest with you, it just seems like yesterday,” Monroe said. “Flew by fast. I can’t believe I have a couple months to get finished with school, have a degree, [and] go into the real world.”

Though he doesn’t get a ton of playing time in the backfield, Monroe is okay with that. When he does get the ball, however, he is doing what he can to make the best of it.

“He is willing to take the backseat sometimes, and he’s willing to help other guys out,” offensive tackle Trey Hopkins said. “When he’s out there, he gives 110 percent.”

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friday, october 5, 2012

BETWeen the tackles Running game still impressive as tailbacks continue to grow

By Christian Corona Sports Editor

When Malcolm Brown went down last year with a turf toe injury, something he said had been nagging him since high school, Texas did just fine without him at first.

The Longhorns racked up 439 yards rushing in a 52-20 blowout win over Texas Tech — 191 from fellow freshman Joe Bergeron and none from Brown. But the Longhorns didn’t run for that many yards in their next three games combined. Bergeron was banged up and senior Fozzy Whittaker was lost for the year as Texas, and its running game, sputtered to the finish line.

Brown is dealing with another ailment, an ankle injury that will keep him from playing West Virginia this weekend.

Going up against a team with an offense as explosive as the Mountaineers’, the Longhorns will need all the help they can get from their backfield. But, unlike last year, Texas is much better equipped to deal with an injury like Brown’s.

D.J. Monroe has scored in every game this year, taking a kickoff back for a 100-yard touchdown in a 41-36 win over Oklahoma State last Saturday. Bergeron has run for a team-high five touchdowns, including the game-winner against the Cowboys.

“Going into the game, I wasn’t sure if he was going to kick it to us or not,” Monroe said. “I was a little rusty, I ain’t going to lie. I missed a pretty big run on the first one. If he kicked it to me against, I knew they were going to do the same thing and, of course, they did the same thing. I took it to the house.”

And true freshman Johnathan Gray showed against Oklahoma State what everyone had been waiting to see from the nation’s top running back prospect. The 5-foot-11, 187-pound Aledo product ran for a team-high 68 yards — many of them out of the Wild formation that Whittaker perfected last season — on 11 carries this past weekend.

“He’s explosive, I think he’s powerful,” co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin said. “If we get it blocked correctly and he’s on a safety, he can get in space and make him miss. That’s why Fozzy was very good at that. He had that same type of ability.”

Even senior Jeremy Hills has contributed. Sparingly used in

BACKS continues on page 9 No. 24 Joe Bergeron | Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff No. 28 Malcolm Brown | Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan Staff No. 5 Jeremy Hills | Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan Staff

friday, october 5, 2012

players to watch Matt warden daily texan staff

stedman bailey junior Wide receiver The leading receiver for the Mountaineers so far this season, Bailey has emerged as a favorite target for the prolific Geno Smith. In the Baylor win, the junior receiver accounted for 305 yards and five of Smith’s eight touchdown passes.

He has amassed over 600 yards and had 10 touchdown catches overall this season. At a diminutive 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, Bailey has proven to be an excellent route runner which allows him to get open for big plays. He has shown a tremendous efficiency in racking up yards after the catch this season, as he currently averages 15.5 yards per reception.

When he gets open he makes catches, and when he makes catches he scores points for the squad as evidenced by his three multiple-touchdown games so far this season. Due to his size, the Longhorns should look to bump Bailey at the line to keep his precise route running from burning them.

terence garvin senior linebacker

On a defense that currently ranks No. 96 in points allowed, Terence Garvin is a guy that really sticks out. Through four games the senior linebacker has made 31 total tackles to go along with four sacks. As he only amassed 3.5 sacks all of last season, Garvin has already shown an improvement in his rushing ability this year. More of a cover defender than a rusher, the quick linebacker has the ability to make plays if the ball is turned over into his hands. He passes the eye test for defenders, coming in at 6-foot3 and 223 pounds and is a guy that Texas should look to contain on the edge. If the Longhorns’ blocking breaks down expect to see Garvin become a bit of a terror in the backfield in this game.

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friday, october 5, 2012

contain geno smith It is no secret what the Longhorns defense will be going up against this Saturday at home. Geno Smith has completed seemingly every pass he’s thrown and has yet to turn the ball over. The Texas secondary has proven to be the weakest link of the once-formidable defense of the Longhorns. Although he has shown in the past that he can run the football just as well as he can pass it, Smith will likely look to dissect the Texas defense through the air The defense should get constant pressure on Smith, who has only been sacked three times this season. While the Longhorns will likely fail in completely shutting Smith down, they should do everything they can to at least contain his passing attack if they want to have a chance at a victory. That means wrapping up on tackles in the secondary, too.

play physically in coverage It will be hard to directly contain Smith, but another way the defense can increase their odds of stopping him is to get physical with his receivers. The two leading receivers for the Mountaineers stand 5-foot-9 (T. Austin) and 5-foot-10 (Bailey). To compensate for their non-prototypical size, the receivers of West Virginia run some of the most precise routes in the country, using their speed to pick up a lot of yards after the catch. To neutralize this the Longhorns should look to get physical with the receivers and jam then at the line of scrimmage. This will reduce the effect of Smith’s passing attack and force the Mountaineers to find other ways to score points. Heck, they may even have to run the ball a few times if Smith can’t find open receviers.

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David Ash has proven through four games that he isn’t the same inconsistent quarterback from last season. He has already compiled over 1,000 passing yards to go along with 10 touchdowns. West Virginia is a defense that currently ranks No. 96 in total defense, giving up 32.5 points per contest. The defense is especially prone to yielding gaudy numbers to solid passing attacks, allowing almost 353 yards per game through the air.

Ash should look to capitalize on the obvious weakness of the Mountaineer defense to rack up points. It is also important for the Longhorns to control the clock by pounding the ball inside. The Texas running backs have proven effective thus far, and if they can control the tempo and keep Smith and Co. off the field it will be easier for Texas to keep up with the Mountaineers offense. Ash seems to be coming in to his own, especially after his comeback road win in Stillwater. This week presents a new challenge and if Ash can manage this game while also making plays when needed, Texas has a good chance of heading into the Red River Rivalry undefeated.

games to watch

friday, october 5, 2012

9

Peter Sblendorio daily texan staff

No. 5 Georgia at No. 6 south carolina Overall 5-0 SEC 3-0

Overall 5-0 SEC 3-0

no. 4 lsu at no. 10 florida Overall 5-0 SEC 1-0

Overall 4-0 SEC 3-0

NO. 21 nebraska at no. 14 ohio state Overall 4-1 Big Ten 1-0

Overall 5-0 Big Ten 1-0

no. 23 washington at no. 2 oregon Overall 3-1 Pac-12 1-0

Overall 5-0 Pac-12 2-0

Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday 2:30 p.m.

TV: CBS

Ohio Stadium Saturday 7 p.m.

TV: ABC

Autzen Stadium Saturday 9:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

The best game of the week pits the two best teams in the SEC East against each other in what will be either squad’s toughest game of the year. Georgia has been one of the top offensive teams this season, scoring 48.2 points per game and averaging 536 total yards on offense.

The Dawgs have rallied behind the arm of Aaron Murray, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns, and the legs of freshman back Todd Gurley, who has rushed for nine. This dominant offense will be up against its toughest test so far, as the Gamecocks have held opponents to a slim 11.2 points per contest. Marcus Lattimore, who has rushed for 440 yards and eight scores, leads a solid South Carolina offense that will be tested by the strong defense of the Bulldogs, which is also efficient in holding opponents to 22 points per game. In a matchup of two undefeated teams that are strong across the board, this one should not disappoint.

The second-best game in the SEC features two balanced teams that are led by their defenses. LSU has held opponents to just 12.6 points per game through five games this season and Florida is not doing much worse in allowing an average of just 12.8 points. Neither team is a slouch on offense, either, as they both average more than 30 points per contest coming in. The Tigers have benefitted from more consistent quarterback play this season, as Zack Mettenberger has completed over 65 percent of his passes and eclipsed 1,000 passing yards through five games.

Florida is also versatile on offense, averaging 407.5 yards per game so far. These teams are similarly constructed and whoever takes advantage of chances on offense will likely come out on top.

The most intriguing game in the Big Ten will take place in Columbus between a pair of ranked teams. The Cornhuskers are coming off of a big win against Wisconsin last week and they have been led by a strong offense that is 13th in college football with 521.4 yards per game. They will be opposed by an undefeated Ohio State team that has one of the strongest defenses in the conference and a quarterback in Braxton Miller that leads the team in both passing and rushing. Ohio State is 4-0 at home so far and Nebraska has lost its only road game of the season, so the Cornhuskers will have to play well to pull of a significant conference victory.

Washington earned itself a spot in the Top 25 after upsetting No. 8 Stanford last week and it will be looking for an even bigger upset Saturday. Oregon is having another explosive season on offense, averaging 52.4 points per game in five wins to start the year. The Ducks have been led by a dominant run game which averages 303 yards per game on the ground and the 605 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns from all-everything back Kenjon Barner have paced them. Washington has struggled on offense to an extent this year but has been strong defensively, holding opponents to under 20 points per game. The Huskies beat Stanford in a low-scoring affair and a similar game plan will most likely be the only way they have a chance against the Ducks.

BACKS continues from page 6

years past, Hills caught three passes for 24 yards, the last two catches coming on the game-winning drive against Oklahoma State. His only other grab was a 15-yarder on 3rd-and-14 in the first quarter.

“We knew it was going to be a heavyweight fight,” Hills said. “We rose, they stepped up and went and scored. Our defense held them late — like we said we were going to do. Then it was the offense’s part to do what we said we were going to do — go score and win the game.”

This week promises to be a heavyweight fight, too. Blows in the form of touchdowns are sure to be constantly exchanged and,

Lights, Camera, Questions Thank goodness for Johnathan Gray.

—Mack Brown, head coach

without Brown, last year’s Longhorns would have been knocked out easily. This year, thanks in large part to Gray, they should be able to hold their own, even against teams like West Virginia.

“I’ve gotten so used to seeing different backs roll through there that a few times, I didn’t even notice he was in the game,” junior guard Mason Walters said.

“That’s just how confident we are with our guys.”

Walters wasn’t the only veteran lineman impressed

with Gray.

“He doesn’t play like a freshman,” senior guard Trey Hopkins said. “Johnathan did a very good job out of that Wild formation.

He came in there, which I don’t think a lot of people see coming from Johnathan Gray. I think a lot of guys just expect him to just use his speed.”

But maybe it was head coach Mack Brown that said it best.

“Thank goodness for Johnathan Gray,” he said.

Lawrence Peart | Daily Texan Staff David Ash and Jaxon Shipley take part in an interview after last week’s win over Oklahoma State.

Ash and Shipley connected for three touchdowns on Texas’ way to a 41-36 victory.

The Big & Bright way to go!

Riding DART is bright. As in smart. It’s about more time enjoying the fair – and less time getting there.

Sign up for text alerts so you’re in the know, on the go! Just text DARTTXOU to 41411.

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Guest column

Friday, October 5, 2012

11

Texas plays host to West Virginia’s first road game

By Nick Arthur The Daily Athenaeum

If you’re going to play Texas ... well, honestly, I don’t know how to astutely finish that phrase.

Why you ask?

Because neither I, nor the No. 7 West Virginia football team, have ever ventured to the land of cowboy boots and 60,000-seat high school football stadiums.

Technically, West Virginia has played the Longhorns in Austin once before — a 7-6 victory by the Mountaineers in 1956 — but, when No. 11 Texas welcomes WVU to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday night, it will be a completely different experience.

For starters, the crowd.

With more than 100,000 expected in attendance Saturday night, it could mark the first time in West Virginia football’s history that the Mountaineers have played in front of a six-figure crowd.

They have come close with road tilts against Penn State and LSU in recent years, but have never crested the 100,000 mark.

And, with a Facebook page created by Longhorn fans entitled “Make Geno Deaf ” in anticipation of presenting a raucous environment for West Virginia senior quarterback and Heisman hopeful Geno Smith, one can expect the crowd will play a major factor in the Mountaineers’ first Big 12 Conference road game.

One member of the West Virginia football has frequented the state of Texas and Austin, though, and that would be head coach Dana Holgorsen.

Holgorsen spent time at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Houston as an offensive

Christopher Jackson | Associated Press West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen looks on during the Mountaineers’ game against Baylor in Morgantown, W.Va. Sept. 29. West Virginia defeated Baylor 70-63.

Holgorsen is known for his efficient offensive schemes but all eyes will be on how his defense can stop a surging Texas team that seems to have regained strength.

coordinator before taking the head coaching position in Morgantown.

The second-year head coach was able to use his Big 12 experience to rack up 70 points against Baylor last Saturday, but will he be able to do the same against Mack Brown’s talented Texas defense?

As for West Virginia quarterback Smith, Saturday presents a great opportunity to prove his critics wrong.

Smith has put up mindboggling numbers through four games this season, but one could argue those statis-

tics have come against subpar opponents in Marshall, James Madison, Maryland and Baylor.

But anytime a signal caller throws more than 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns to zero interceptions in just four games, one can’t help but notice.

If the Mountaineers want to keep pace with the Longhorns, however, they’re going to need yet another stellar performance from Smith.

One of the biggest question marks entering this matchup of ranked teams is if

WVU starting running back Shawne Alston will play.

Alston, who has missed the last two games with a thigh bruise, brings balance to a West Virginia offense which has been forced to be onesided in his absence.

In the two games Alston has played, the Mountaineers have totaled 772 passing yards and 452 rushing yards — a difference of 320 yards. Meanwhile, during the two games Alston has missed, WVU has posted 994 passing yards to just 176 rushing yards — a difference

of 818 yards.

Essentially, West Virginia is a much more dangerous offense when it’s not one-dimensional.

But this game will come down to more than statistics.

This game is more than about a win or loss for the Mountaineers.

It’s their opportunity to prove to the state of Texas and the nation that they are Big 12-worthy.

That they made the right choice to leave the sinking Big East Conference ship.

But, ultimately, the

Mountaineers will learn from this experience.

After Saturday’s contest, West Virginia will find what it takes to play in Texas.

crowded house Average Game Attendance Texas 80,159

Away 59,253 Home 101,066

West Virginia 55,786 *West Virginia has yet to play an away game this season.

a

all eyes on geno Texas tasked with containing nation’s top quarterback

By Lauren Giudice It was like Geno Smith was following the Longhorns around last Saturday. He was there on the bus when they were on the way to Stillwater, Okla., and he was there on the plane on the way back to Austin.

By the end of the night, the Longhorns were tired of seeing him, even though it was just his image haunting them on the television.

While the Longhorns were on the way to Boone Pickens Stadium, updates of Smith’s eight-touchdown performance against Baylor kept popping up on the television screens on the bus.

On the flight home, highlights of No. 8 West Virginia’s 70-63 win were playing on the TV headrests on the plane.

“By the time we got home our defense and our defensive coaches had enough,” head coach Mack Brown said. “They’d seen enough touchdown passes and it was scaring them to death.”

The Longhorns are hoping they won’t be seeing such a touchdown frenzy from Smith this Saturday. But with a defense that has been struggling with tackling and giving up big plays, the matchup against the early Heisman favorite will require the defense to play at a much higher level than in previous weeks.

Sitting at seventh in total defense in the Big 12, the Longhorns are not where they thought they would be at this point in the season. And when the Mountaineers arrive in Austin it will be time for them to live up to the expectations put upon them in the preseason.

In all four of West Virginia’s games so far, Smith has passed for over 300 yards. West Virginia’s offense is No. 1 in passing offense, No. 3 in total offense and No. 1 in passing efficiency in the country. It’s safe to say these guys “get it” when it comes to putting points on the board. In the game against Baylor, Smith was so precise in passing the ball he had two more touchdown passes than incomplete passes.

At this point the mediocre numbers the Texas defense has been putting up, or in this case giving up, won’t keep the Longhorns in the game Saturday. All season defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has been stressing the need to prevent explosive plays.

“Everybody has said that before they go play them,” Diaz said. “Their quarterback is so accurate throwing the ball deep and they’ve got guys that can go get it. They do a nice job of protecting him to give him time for those routes to develop.”

Though Smith is getting all the hype for his impressive passing performances, the guys catching the ball will be just as much of a challenge for the Longhorns. Wide receivers Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin and J.D. Woods will be working to find holes in the Longhorns’ secondary. Bailey is coming off a game in which he compiled 303 receiving yards and five touchdown catches. Yes, five touchdowns.

Texas’ secondary will be tested more on Saturday than they have been all season.

“Those guys have great speed,” cornerback Quadre Diggs said. “They know the offense very well so we just have to go out there and execute and play better than we did last year against Baylor and get the job done.”

Diaz said his players must accept that Smith will find a rhythm, but emphasized interrupting that rhythm, especially in the red zone. Red zone defense was a strong point in the Longhorns’ defensive plan against OSU. Three of the five times the Cowboys drove down the field to the red zone last week, they were held to just a field goal.

Smith has been throwing an average of five touchdown passes per game and the Mountaineers are tied for ninth in the country in red zone offense, so getting this offense to settle for field goals will be a tall order.

Diaz stressed the importance of making the offense earn everything they do. Giving up big plays does not figure to be a part of his strategy as the season continues.

No. 4 Kenny Vaccaro | Elisabeth Dillon | Daily Texan file photo

“You can be playing well and they can still execute,” Diaz said. “What do you have to limit? The explosive plays and the run after catch. It’s going to be a game where you have to accept that they’re going to get yards, you have to play great defense in the red zone and then you have to find some way to maybe try to get your own explosive plays.”

Last December, the Longhorns faced future Heisman winner Robert Griffin III. Before that game, Brown told the Longhorns to not hand him the trophy.

But they ended up doing just that. Griffin ultimately threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns in Baylor’s 48-24 win over Texas.

“I don’t think we’re in a position right now to be trying to stop Geno Smith,” Brown said. “We need to play better defense because he’s going to make his plays like Robert last year.

This guy’s going to make his plays.”

No. 12 Geno Smith | Alex Brandon | Associated Press

offensive matchups

14

friday, october 5, 2012

Peter Sblendorio daily texan staff

QUARTERBACK

running backs

No collegiate quarterback has been as dominant as West Virginia’s Geno Smith. A Heisman favorite, Smith has thrown for an FBS-high 20 touchdown passes without an interception. His passer rating of 208.4 leads college football, as does his completion percentage of 83.4. David Ash is off to a fine start for the Longhorns and came up big in their game-winning drive against Oklahoma State last week, but right now, nobody at the quarterback position can compare to Smith.

advantage

The Longhorns will be without Malcolm Brown, their second leading rusher, because of an ankle sprain, but they should have no shortage of productive players to fill in at the position. Joe Bergeron has emerged as a workhorse for Texas and he leads the team through four games with 255 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

Freshman Johnathan Gray has also impressed in limited action, rushing for 157 yards on 33 carries, and he should have a major impact in this week’s game as well.

West Virginia’s running game is solid yet unspectacular, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and scoring seven touchdowns on the ground, but the Mountaineers have rushed for nearly 300 yards fewer than Texas’ backs.

advantage

wide receivers The Texas wide receivers performed very well against Oklahoma State last week, hauling in 30 catches for more than 300 yards in the game. Jaxon Shipley, who made three touchdown grabs, and Mike Davis, whose critical fourth-quarter catch set up a game-winning touchdown, were especially impressive. That said, no Texas receiver has more than 17 catches this season, a total that three Mountaineers have far surpassed. Stedman Bailey has been a major big-play threat this season, catching 41 passes already for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Tavon Austin is just as dangerous for West Virginia and he leads the team with 48 catches and is second with 560 yards and seven scores.

advantage

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West Virginia has been one of college football’s most highly-praised offenses this season, averaging 53.0 points per game and 598.5 yards per game, which are both good for third in the nation.

This is due in large part to the strong play of the Mountaineers’ offensive line, as Geno Smith and the rest of the offense have had plenty of time to make big plays. The offense is really without weakness because of this, as Smith is averaging 10.23 yards per pass and the team is rushing for an average of 5.1 yards. Texas’ team totals of 8.93 yards per pass and 5.2 yards per rush are quite impressive, but few can match the efficiency of the Mountaineers. This has everything to do with their offensive line.

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defensive matchups

16

friday, october 5, 2012

Peter Sblendorio daily texan staff

defensive line The Longhorns’ line has struggled a bit finishing plays this season, which is evidenced by a lackluster total of nine sacks in four games. This does not mean that they have been ineffective, as the Texas lineman have done a solid job in stopping the run and hurrying throws from opposing quarterbacks.

The Mountaineers have been a little bit stronger in bringing down the quarterback, earning 13.0 sacks through four games, but opposing quarterbacks have generally been more effective against West Virginia than they have against the Longhorns. Texas is holding teams to 8.3 pass yards per attempt compared to the 9.1 yards allowed per pass by the Mountaineers, and this is due to the ability of the Longhorns’ line to create pressure even when it’s not recording sacks.

linebackers

defensive backs

Linebacker has been the Longhorns’ most suspect position this season, and they have had several missed tackles turn into large gains for opponents.

This unit is significantly weaker without Jordan Hicks and his status is still in question for Saturday night. Overall, the Texas linebacking corps has been decent with room for improvement and it is largely responsible for allowing opposing runners to 4.8 yards per carry. The Mountaineers have been much more effective stopping the run, limiting the opposition to just 2.8 yards per carry and the team’s solid linebacker unit is essential in this statistic. There are some questions about the ability to defend the pass, but its capability to stuff the run gives West Virginia the edge.

advantage

The West Virginia defensive backs were greatly exploited last Saturday against Baylor, as the Bears’ Nick Florence passed for 581 yards and five touchdowns. Overall, teams are averaging 356.5 yards per game through the air against the Mountaineers and have scored on 10 passing touchdowns. The Longhorns have been solid in the secondary, holding opponents to just 210.2 passing yards per game and the defense has recorded seven interceptions so far.

The Texas secondary faces its toughest test of the season Saturday in Geno Smith, but so far it has been the superior unit.

advantage

special teams Both teams have done a solid job on limiting the opposition on returns this year, but Texas has been stronger in returns of their own this season. The Longhorns are averaging 28.1 yards on kickoff returns so far and they scored their first return touchdown of the year last Saturday. On punt returns, Texas has also excelled, averaging 16.2 yards on four attempts. West Virginia has also done a nice job in these categories, averaging 20 yards on kickoff returns and 5.7 yards on punt returns, but has yet to score on either. Neither team has been especially efficient on field goals, with Texas going three-of-seven and West Virginia making one-of-two, but both teams’ abilities to get in the end zone has rendered this point moot so far.

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friday, october 5, 2012

big 12 power rankings wes maulsby daily texan staff

1

kansas state

2

west virginia

3

texas

The Wildcats hold the top spot for one more week, but could see their position taken due to no fault of their own. The matchup between West Virginia and Texas will likely provide a new number one, but that is no knock on Kansas State. It is still sitting atop the Big 12 and boasts one of the most disciplined teams in the entire country while averaging only two penalties a game. But in a league with so much explosion on offense, can Kansas State’s old school approach keep it in the title hunt?

We’ll find out in late October.

Welcome to the Big 12, you should fit in just fine here. The Mountaineers showed themselves to be a good inclusion to the conference with a mind-boggling 70-63 win over Baylor in which the defenses were ordered to stay on the bus. West Virginia leads the nation in passing offense and has the current leader in the clubhouse for the Heisman Trophy, quarterback Geno Smith. But will its lack of defense cost it in the long run?

Welcome back to relevance, Longhorn fans. For now, Texas is deserving of attention for the first time since 2009. This could change on Saturday if the Mountaineers steamroll their way to a win in Austin. But if Texas remembers that it is actually allowed to use its arms to tackle, then it could find itself back in the national title hunt sooner than expected. A close loss to West Virginia isn’t the end of the world, or the season, but a win gives Texas the kind of respect and benefit of the doubt it earned after the 2005 Rose Bowl win over Michigan. No pressure.

4

tcu

5

texas tech

The jury is still out on TCU. The Horned Frogs used a sixturnover game from SMU to get out of the red in turnover margin. After a massive 56-point outburst to start the season, TCU has not been able to score four touchdowns in a game against what should be considered inferior competition. But, it does still have a goose egg in the loss column and that number is all that matters when the season ends. TCU needs to find its rhythm while it still has time in the easy part of its schedule; come November, there are no more walkthroughs.

Another week down and the Red Raiders still lead the nation in total offense. It’s not the vaunted Crimson Tide defense led by the man who can do no wrong, it is the goofy bunch of outcasts in Raider Land that are shutting people down. It shouldn’t be surprising considering the background of head coach Tommy Tuberville and after a quick look at their schedule. But numbers don’t lie, and Texas Tech is putting the clamps on opposing offenses this season, holding teams to 167.5 yards a game, tops in the country.

6

oklahoma

7

baylor

8

oklahoma state

9

iowa state

10

Are the Sooners really the sixth-best team in the Big 12? Probably not, but a loss is a loss. Oklahoma may have had its national title hopes dashed after the nightmare in Norman against Kansas State, but it is still very much alive in the Big 12. Bob Stoops has won the Big 12 seven times and he cannot be counted out prematurely. Oklahoma has its share of problems, though. It was only able to rush for 88 yards against Kansas State while turning the ball over three times. The Sooners get on the field again in Lubbock, where conventional wisdom gives way to manic craziness and the outcome is never a given.

The Bears had a phenomenal game last week — on offense. The defense, meanwhile, had a game to forget. Baylor amassed 700 yards in total offense, 34 first downs, and 63 points. The only problem was that it gave up 807 yards and 70 points. If Baylor can figure out how to cover, block, tackle, and just play defense in general, then it could be a real force in the conference. But with things the way they are, Baylor has not shown that it can stop anyone, and will have to win in shootouts every time. The games will certainly be exciting, but with only one side of the ball able to perform, things could go downhill fast in Waco.

How much higher would the Cowboys be ranked if they were in another conference? Oklahoma State is a solid team, with big-play potential and an experienced defense. But it does have a pair of freshman quarterbacks trying to take over for a 27-year-old two year starter. With two first-round draft picks absent from the offense, there were going to be some growing pains, but the Cowboys are still a very dangerous team.

The Cyclones ran into the brick wall that the Texas Tech defense has become, but not all is lost. They were able to run for 116 yards with a third quarter lead, but four turnovers doomed them against the Texas Tech offense. Iowa State is a solid team, and is definitely heading in the right direction with coach Paul Rhoads at the helm, but it cannot afford to lose games at home. And with Kansas State, West Virginia, and Oklahoma on the home slate this season, it can ill afford to let a game get away like it did last Saturday. Iowa State will have to find a way to score some points, otherwise it will fall short of its 6-7 record from last season.

kansas The Jayhawks had the week off to prepare for their trip to Manhattan, Kan. against maybe the best team in the conference.

The Jayhawks are near the bottom of the Big 12 in almost every statistical category except for punting. Charlie Weis was a bigname hire and has the capability to turn this program around, but the cupboard was simply too bare and Kansas doesn’t have the talent to compete in the Big 12 yet. On the positive side, the Jayhawks are efficient with the ball, are tied for the lead in turnover margin and aren’t beating themselves up with penalties. Unfortunately, other teams are doing that for them.

17

18

heisman watch

friday, october 5, 2012

wes maulsby daily texan staff Photos by Associated Press

Aaron Murray Junior QB, Georgia

Manti Te’o Senior LB, Notre Dame

E.J. Manuel Senior QB, Florida State

Last Week: 19-for-25 (76 percent) for 278 yards, two TDs and one interception.

Season: 88-for-129 (68 percent) for 1370 yards, 12 TDs and three interceptions.

Last Week: Eight tackles, two interceptions.

Season: 36 tackles, three interceptions.

Last Week: 19-for-26 (73 percent) for 242 yards and one TD. Season: 88-for-120 (73 percent) for 1147 yards, nine TDs and one interception.

Murray has staked his claim as the top offensive weapon in the SEC. He’ll play a nasty South Carolina defense this weekend with the Gameday crew on hand. An Oct. 27 showdown with Florida in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party could carry more weight if the Gators are able to top LSU and South Carolina before facing the Bulldogs. Murray needs to root for the Gators in every game because he doesn’t get a shot at Alabama or LSU in the regular season. An SEC title win over Alabama would be a boon to his campaign, but he has to get past the Gamecock defense first.

This season, the title of best defensive player has fallen to Te’o for his work in leading Notre Dame’s defense to impressive heights. His campaigns problem lies in that there is no way he can make every tackle of every play.

Quarterbacks touch the ball on almost every play and stud running backs can carry the ball almost 30 times a game. Getting over 100 tackles is a necessity, and any additional sacks and interceptions he can create would greatly help his case. Fortunately, Notre Dame has no shortage of high profile games, and if he can shut down Stanford, Oklahoma and USC like he did Michigan State and Michigan, then Te’o could have the best defensive resume since Woodson.

Florida State had a tougherthan-expected time against South Florida, but was still able to get a win. Manuel put up solid stats, but again, he wasn’t a world beater. His production will never match Geno Smith’s so he needs to be impressive and he needs to have big wins.

That could be a problem. There are currently two ranked teams in the ACC. One is Florida State, the other is Clemson, a team the Seminoles already beat. The November matchup between Florida State and Virginia Tech looked good three weeks ago, but the Hokies have fallen apart at the seams and are not the kind of team to boost Heisman hype.

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19

Mountaineers set focus on tightening up defense

By Sara Beth Purdy This weekend’s game will be a tale of two offenses. With spurts of poor defensive production out of both West Virginia and Texas this season, this Saturday is likely to feature a stereotypical Big 12 shootout. Both Texas and West Virginia are tied for first in the Big 12 with one win apiece. Both teams also are undefeated with four wins on the season. The game against Texas will mark West Virginia’s first true road test of the season.

“They are good on all three sides of the ball,” head coach Dana Holgorsen said of Texas. “On all three sides of the ball, it is going to be a chore.

When you couple that with being on the road for the first time this year, we obviously have our work cut out for us.”

The Mountaineers roll into Austin with one of the league’s top-ranked offenses, thanks in whole to the efforts of senior quarterback Geno Smith. Against Baylor, Smith put up Heisman quality numbers which included nearly 700 passing yards and an 88.2 percent completion rate. Last weekend’s contest was not an anomaly; Smith has completed 83.4 percent of his passes on the season and has yet to turn the ball over to the oppostion.

By comparison, Texas quarterback David Ash has been producing healthy numbers as well. Ash has a season completion percentage of 78 percent with 10 touchdowns and one interception.

Smith’s favorite targets include junior Stedman Bailey and senior Tavon Austin, who have each caught for over 550 yards this season.

Both were a huge factor against Baylor last weekend.

The Mountaieers’ impressive showing was against a

Baylor defense that is ranked dead-last in the conference in most defensive categories including pass defense, scoring defense and total defense. Despite this defensive ineptitude, West Virginia has still earned double-digit victories in their previous three games.

West Virginia is a even a little shakier on defense than the Bears. The Mountaineer defense allowed 63 points against Baylor and continually blew coverage and failed to stop any member of the Baylor offense. By comparison, the Texas defense allowed the top ranked Oklahoma State offense just 36 points. Plus, the Texas defense is ranked highly in pass defense, which aligns well with West Virginia who ranks first in the nation when passing the ball.

“We have to get them better,” Holgorsen said of his defensive unit. “The front seven played well ... they were disruptive at times when they were rushing the passer. We need a little bit more out of the defensive line when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. We gave up too many big plays on third down.”

The WVU defense is ranked second to last in all defensive categories. At Texas, despite a hoard of missed tackles and the inability to stop big plays, the defense has turned in better stats than West Virginia’s.

The Longhorns also have had better play when backed up in the red zone. The game should come down to offense and which team can overcome the opposition’s defense more effectively.

“We play hard every week and go out there and compete. No matter who we are playing,” junior offensive lineman Pat Eger said.

Christopher Jackson | Associated Press West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin catches a touchdown pass during a game against Maryland in Morgantown, W.Va. Sept. 22. West Virginia won 31-21.

national notebook

20

friday, october 5, 2012

Georgia loses receiver, Smith sinks deeper into debt

By Hank South The weather is nice and the football season is well underway, which can only mean one thing. It’s October, folks. Let’s take a look at some notes from around the country this week• Miami athletic director Shawn Eichorst has left his post at the University and is expected to replace Tom Osborne at Nebraska, when Osborne officially retires on January 1st.

• Georgia’s leading re-

ceiver, Michael Bennett, tore his ACL in practice this week and is out for the season. Bennett, a sophomore, has 24 catches for 345 yards and four touchdowns on the season and has played a pivotal role in the Bulldogs’ offense.

Georgia is fairly deep at receiver and will fill Bennett’s role with Marlon Brown, and Tavarres King.

• Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins is expected to be ready to play against LSU this Saturday. Jenkins fractured his thumb against

Texas A&M in the second game of the season. The junior linebacker had 75 tackles last season and is one of the Gators’ most valuable defensive commodities.

• Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, once a Texas recruiting target, was arrested along with three other teammates for possession of marijuana on the school’s campus. All three are suspended for Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Green-Beckham scored an 80-yard touchdown against UCF

last week.

• Last month it was reported that Arkansas head coach John L. Smith was in approximately $25.7 million of debt. This month that number has risen to upwards of $40.7 million.

Smith initially filed for bankruptcy in early September. Along with his finances, Smith’s football program is in a complete tailspin. The Razorbacks are 1-4 after sitting in the Top 10 during the preseason. The road doesn’t get any easier for the Hogs either, as Arkansas visits Auburn this weekend.

• The Atlantic Coast Conference will continue to play just eight league games per year instead of switching to nine in 2013. The decision was made to preserve Florida State, Clemson, and Georgia Tech’s rivalries

with SEC schools. Notre Dame will begin an annual five-game ACC schedule beginning in 2014.

• Two teams have a shot at becoming bowl-eligible this weekend. The winner of the Georgia-South Carolina game will be bowl bound and if Northwestern can pull off the victory over Penn State in Happy Valley, the Wildcats will have a postseason to look forward to after all.

• Alabama has lost running back Dee Hart and receiver DeAndrew Smith for the season. Both players injured their knees versus Ole Miss last Saturday. Hart tore his ACL before his freshman season last summer forcing the ball carrier to redshirt. Hart had 88 rushing yards on the season.

• The Duke Blue Devils are 4-1 and coming off

their best start since 1994.

In fact, Duke has only had three 4-1 starts in the past 30 years. Fans aren’t jumping on the bandwagon just yet, for the Blue Devils started the season 3-2 in 2011 before dropping seven straight games to finish the season.

• Former Penn State assistant Mike McQueary has filed a lawsuit against the University claiming he was mistreated during the Jerry Sandusky scandal. McQueary is seeking millions of dollars in remedies and if the former coach is victorious he will receive more money in damages than some of Sandusky’s victims.

• Ohio State and TCU will begin a home-andhome series in 2018. The series gets underway Sept.

15, 2018, when the Buckeyes visit Fort Worth.

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John Amis | Associated Press Georgia wide receiver Marlon Brown (15), shown here gaining yardage against Vanderbilt, will help fill Michael Bennett’s role after Bennett was lost for the season because of a torn ACL. Tavarres King will also help pick up where Bennett left off.

big 12 notebook

friday, october 5, 2012

21

Pachall suspended indefinitely, Lunt regains health

By Hank South Conference play is underway and so far the Big 12 looks like the most powerful conference top to bottom in the nation. Lets take a look at some of the notes heading into the weekend.

• TCU quarterback Casey Pachall was arrested on suspicion of DUI early Thursday morning after running a stop sign. Pachall, who ranks among the nation’s top five quarterbacks statistically, has been s uspended indefinitely.

“I truly do apologize for what’s been said and done on my behalf,’’ Pachall said at a press conference Thursday. “I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve learned from those mistakes and I’m still learning. It’s a day-to-day process of trying to be a better person and trying to be a better role model and leader for this team, and this community and this university. I’m trying on a day to day basis to be that person.’’

• On Wednesday, a report was leaked stating Wally Anderson, Coordinator of Football Officials for the Big 12, had apologized to Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy regarding the touchdown call on a goahead

TCU quarterback Casey Pachall LM Otero Associated Press

score by Texas running back Joe Bergeron Saturday.

The Oklahoman reported that Anderson told Gundy that the linesman, Brad Edwards had signaled for the touchdown too soon. The Big 12 refuted the report, tweeting later Wednesday afternoon, “Reports that the Big 12 acknowledged a blown call and issued an apology to Oklahoma State are inaccurate.”

• Through four games this season Texas Tech is No. 1 in total defense nationally, giving up only 168 yards per game. So how have the Red Raiders found success on the defensive side of the ball at a historically offensiveminded school? Simple, tighter coverage on the receivers. The secondary isn’t giving any space to the receivers whereas usually defenses give a little bit of a cushion. After Iowa State’s 24-13 loss last Saturday, Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads said of the secondary, “They were

pressing us all over the field. It’s just not there”.

• Oklahoma State quarterback Wes Lunt is getting healthier by the day and should return to team drills this week. The Cowboys are heading into yet another bye week, their second within three weeks.

However it remains unclear as to whether Lunt is needed right away with the Cowboys facing Kansas Oct. 13.

• Speaking of the Jayhawks, Kansas takes on Kansas State this Saturday for the Governors Cup Trophy. This past week Jayhawks head coach Charlie Weis gave his squad a little bit of a history lesson on the rivalry. Weis emphasized, “I think it’s important that your players understand what you’re playing for”. The rivalry dates back over 100 years with the Jayhawks holding the edge, 64-40-5. However the Wildcats have won the past three games against Kansas quite handedly (135-38) and the last time KSU head coach Bill Snyder lost to the Jayhawks was in his first season in Manhattan, back in 1989.

• Coming into this season Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones was touted among the best quarterbacks in the conference in many polls, right next to West V i r g i n i a’s Geno Smith.

Through four games Jones ranks 62nd in passer rating (772 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions, 64 percent completion rating) and is being outplayed by almost all the other Big 12

quarterbacks. In fact, four of the top five quarterbacks in the nation are in the conference, (Smith, David Ash, J.W. Walsh,

Pachall). During the Sooners’ bye week head coach Bob Stoops had the squad go first-team offense versus first-team defense

more than usual. Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech in Lubbock this Saturday, where the Sooners haven’t won in nearly a decade.

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texan staff picks

friday, october 5, 2012

23

nick cremona

lauren giudice

chris hummer

christian corona

sara beth purdy

PETER SBLENDORIO

wes maulsby

hank south

matt warden

6-4

8-2

6-4

7-3

4-6

8-2

9-1

9-1

4-6

Overall Record

20-15

24-11

23-12

26-9

20-15

23-12

27-8

28-7

20-15

Texas vs. West Virginia

Texas

West Virginia

Texas

West Virginia

Texas

Texas

West Virginia

Texas

West Virginia

Washington vs. Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

Florida

Florida

LSU

Georgia

Georgia

South Carolina

Georgia

South Carolina

Georgia

Last Week’s Record

LSU vs. Florida

Georgia vs.

South Carolina

South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina

Nebraska vs. Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Nebraska

Nebraska

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech

Texas Tech

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Texas Tech

Texas Tech

Texas Tech

Northwestern vs.

Penn State

Penn State

Penn State

Northwestern

Northwestern

Penn State

Northwestern

Penn State

Northwestern

Northwestern

Miami vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Arizona vs. Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Air Force vs. Navy

Air Force

Air Force

Air Force

Navy

Air Force

Air Force

Navy

Air Force

Navy

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