The Daily Texan Double Coverage 2019-10-25 by The Daily Texan

T H E D A I LY TEXAN PRESENTS

Double Coverage VOL. 14 ISSUE 8 | OCT. 25, 2019

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Friday, October 25, 2019

TEXAN

staff picks

MARCUS KRUM

WILLS L AY T O N

DONNAVAN SMOOT

MYAH TAY L O R

STEPHEN WAGNER

ALEX BRISEÑO

CLARK D A LT O N

DANIELA PEREZ

NO. 15 TEXAS AT T C U

TEXAS

N O. 9 AU B U R N AT NO. 2 LSU

LSU

NO. 13 WISCONSIN AT N O. 3 O H I O S TAT E

WISCONSIN

OHIO STATE

NO. 8 NOTRE DAME AT N O. 1 9 M I C H I G A N

NOTRE DAME

MICHIGAN

NOTRE DAME

MICHIGAN

NOTRE DAME

MICHIGAN

N O. 6 P E N N S TAT E AT M I C H I G A N S TAT E

PENN STATE

MICHIGAN STATE

PENN STATE

N O. 2 4 A R I Z O N A S TAT E AT U C L A

UCLA

ARIZONA STATE

O K L A H O M A S TAT E AT N O. 2 3 I OWA S TAT E

IOWA STATE

OKLAHOMA STATE

IOWA STATE

V I R G I N I A AT LOUISVILLE

LOUISVILLE

VIRGINIA

M I A M I AT PITT

PITT

MIAMI

PITT

MIAMI

PITT

NO. 20 IOWA AT N O RT H W E S T E R N

IOWA

LAST WEEK’S RECORD OVERALL RECORD

6–4 35–25

8–2 32–28

7–3 36–24

6–4 33–27

7–3 33–27

7–3 36–24

8–2 37–23

9–1 39–21

6–4 40–20

DOUBLE COVERAGE Double Coverage Editor Design Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor

Marcus Krum Maria Perez Joshua Guenther Megan Shankle

EDITOR’S NOTE Last week was quite the roller coaster. While it ended in a victory, it’s tough to view a two-point win over Kansas as such. But the Longhorns press on further into conference play this week at TCU. Texas head coach Tom Herman always has his team ready as an underdog, so even with a struggling defense, the Longhorns should be geared up for the matchup in Fort Worth.

Writers Daniela Perez Donnavan Smoot Myah Taylor Stephen Wagner

Clark Dalton Wills Layton Cameron Parker

CAMERON PA R K E R

Marcus Krum, Double Coverage Editor

double coverage

BIG 12 power rankings By Marcus Krum

1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 316 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout win last weekend. Hurts’ revenge

tour is starting to look like a broken record. He’s keeping that offense chugging along as the Sooners keep rolling their way through the Big 12.

3. TEXAS LONGHORNS That’s right, folks. Texas is no longer sitting pretty at the No. 2 spot it had occupied this whole season. Kansas scored 48 points in Austin. Again, that’s Kansas.

Not a great look for Tom Herman and the Longhorns, who have a lot to prove this weekend as underdogs in Fort Worth.

5. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

A fairly significant drop-off seems to occur after our top four teams. Texas Tech has now lost three of four Big 12 matchups after last week’s loss to the Cyclones. There’s just

not much talent for first-year head coach Matt Wells to work with defensively, and it’s shown. The Red Raiders have allowed more than 30 points in all four conference games.

7. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS Yes, nobody wants to be ranked No. 7 of 10, but the Wildcats are trending upward. They defended their home field against TCU last weekend in a back-and-forth

24-17 win over the Horned Frogs. This week, we’ll see how they stack up against the blue bloods in a clash with Oklahoma Saturday.

9. KANSAS JAYHAWKS Kansas is showing signs of life, and this time they might be for real. Clearly this Texas defense is one of the worst it’s had in a long time, but the Jayhawks

offense was making things look easy as they hung 48 points on them in Austin. So for the first time this year, Kansas is out of last place.

@marcuskrum

2. BAYLOR BEARS It appears we really do have a new contender for the Big 12 Championship. Yes, Baylor barely escaped with a win over Texas Tech two weeks ago in a game that the Bears

should have lost, but for now they are still very much undefeated. Don’t be shocked if they remain undefeated going into a Week 12 clash with Texas.

4. IOWA STATE CYCLONES After their lull in the first several weeks of the season, it appears the Cyclones have once again righted the ship. They went to Lubbock last weekend and picked up a much-needed

win over Texas Tech. Sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy had a career day with 378 yards and three touchdowns.

6. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Head coach Mike Gundy is doing his best. But the Cowboys’ inexperience is shining through. This was on full display in Oklahoma State’s 45-27 loss to

Baylor last weekend. The Cowboys just couldn’t finish despite some gaudy offensive numbers from sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard and crew.

8. TCU HORNED FROGS Not unlike Oklahoma State, this TCU team just doesn’t know how to win yet. Freshman quarterback Max Duggan had a nice day with over 100 yards rushing and passing in a game

in which they outgained Kansas State by 100 yards, but the Horned Frogs couldn’t pull off a win in a tough road environment.

10. WesT VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS Junior quarterback Austin Kendall’s return to Norman, Oklahoma, went about as well as anyone expected. This revamped Oklahoma defense held West Virginia to just 242 total

yards of offense. The Mountaineers get a one week break before another game against the class of the conference as they head to Waco for a prime-time matchup.

Friday, October 25, 2019

HEISMAN WATCH

By Stephen Wagner @stephenwag22

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/ the daily texan staff

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2020

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W 15 th S t

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Joe Burrow — Quarterback, LSU Quietly stepping out of the shadow of Tagovailoa’s SEC reign is Joe Burrow, LSU’s gunslinging quarterback leading a revamped Tiger offense. Along with nearly 2,500 passing yards, the emerging superstar is averaging almost 10 touchdowns for every interception thrown. But it’s not just the staggering touchdown-to-interception ratio or Burrow’s incredulous passing efficiency that’s earned him a place on this list — it’s that he continues to pass every test the SEC throws at him. This week will be no different, as the Tigers welcome No. 9 Auburn to Death Valley to showdown with the most talented and disciplined defense they’ve faced yet before squaring off with (likely) No. 1 Alabama in two weeks. Buckle up, folks. It’s the wild, wild (SEC) West. Justin Fields — Quarterback, Ohio State While our watchlist is comprised of quarterbacks from the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten, they all have one thing in common: they all played in the SEC. If this statistic isn’t a testament to the SEC’s dominance, what is? Sophomore Georgia transfer Justin Fields is another example of the SEC’s dominance even at Ohio State. Since Fields left Georgia following the 2019 season, the first-year starter has been on an absolute tear with the Buckeyes. Although he hasn’t thrown for 2000-plus yards like the rest of the quartet, Fields’ efficiency rating and impact on his team is undeniable. Ohio State has yet to score less than 34 points in a game this season, although that could change against a Wisconsin team hungry to prove itself after a major upset against Illinois.

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Now nine weeks into the college season, our front-runners are gaining separation from the rest of the herd. With the competition narrowed down to the quarterback position, it’s time to see which of these dynamic athletes can lead their explosive offenses through the final stretch of the season. Here’s who to watch for in Week Nine: Tua Tagovailoa — Quarterback, Alabama Our Heisman favorite was hit with a major setback this week when he suffered an ankle injury in Alabama’s 3513 win over Tennessee. Before going down in the second quarter, junior Tagovailoa completed 11 of his 12 passes but threw an interception, allowing an underachieving Tennessee squad to stick around. Tagovailoa underwent “a successful tight-rope procedure on his right ankle” last Sunday morning, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a statement. He has not established a timetable for his return. The good news for Alabama fans? The Tide plays Arkansas this week, a program that hasn’t beaten an SEC opponent since 2017. Jalen Hurts — Quarterback, Oklahoma Although his passing attempts were limited, Hurts strung together an efficient performance against West Virginia. The Oklahoma quarterback completed 16 of his 17 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns to close the gap on his former rival Tagovailoa. With Tagovailoa sidelined indefinitely, Oklahoma’s next few games – particularly against Kansas State this weekend – stand as a golden opportunity for Hurts to climb to the top of Heisman contention.

double coverage

ossai’s rise provides consistency By Donnavan Smoot @Dsmoot3D

Sophom sacks a

corde Four manc Texas “I t make just a Alt his el ership game “He “Brin plays. follow him m voice joshua guenther

/ the daily texan staff

Sophomore linebacker Joseph Ossai has recorded 32 solo tackles in his first season as a starter. Ossai has taken a leadership role on the team, particularly when several defensive starters went down due to injury.

Friday, October 25, 2019

joshua guenther

/ the daily texan staff

more linebacker Joseph Ossai tackles Kansas running back Pooka Williams Jr. in Texas’ 50-48 win over the Jayhawks last weekend. Ossai has recorded 45 total tackles and two as he has stepped into a bigger role this season.

he structure of a college football team changes drastically every year. Seniors graduate, newly minted underclassmen begin to handle the system and new voices emerge as leaders on the team. For Texas, sophomore linebacker Joseph Ossai has been the one to take the jump. In 2018, Ossai started only two games and reed 13 solo tackles all season — a number he tied by Week this year, then easily surpassed in Week Five. His perforce has made him one of the most reliable players on the s defense. think I’m pretty caught up,” Ossai said. “I just need to e it more instinctual. … I need to get better at flowing and attacking the ball.” though this is Ossai’s first season as a full-time starter, levated level of play has allowed him to step into a leadp role. He’s able to impact his teammates both during the e and in between plays. e leads by example,” senior lineman Malcolm Roach said. nging energy, flying around on the field (and) making . Anybody that is making a lot of plays, people want to w … naturally because you’re doing something right. By making plays it’s given him a bigger role, (and) a bigger to talk up.”

I think I’m pretty caught up. I just need to make it more instinctual. ... I need to get better at flowing and just attacking the ball.” JOSEPH OSSAI linebacker

As the weeks pass, his words earn more and more meaning. His play continues to act as a backbone for a Texas defense that is missing several starters, including senior linebacker Jeffrey McCulloch — which leaves most of the playmaking responsibility on No. 46. Ossai’s plays this year have come in the biggest games during the biggest moments. Against Kansas, Ossai blocked a kick going into halftime, saving what would have been three points in a game where absolutely every point mattered.

Part of Ossai’s growth is found in the fact that he doesn’t force the issue. He is emotional and energetic, but he has let the role come to him. “I’ve kind of found my voice through the team,” Ossai said. “I see (Roach) lead, and it’s like leading by example. It’s easy when you have guys like that to kind of show you the way. You just mirror them as much as possible.” His leadership is much-needed at this point. Texas lost eight starters in the offseason, and is currently only starting two seniors on defense. It is a defensive unit that had leadership holes and needed to be replenished. Ossai has faced this challenge head-on. For Ossai, his voice has grown just as much as his game. He provides an energy for Texas that is nonstop. His emotion and heart serve as a battery pack on game day. “He plays so hard,” defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said. “It’s amazing if you watch a full game of that guy (going).” It’s not just the tackles Ossai makes that are important, it’s also the energy he provides on that side of the ball Texas’ defense hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, partially due to unexpected injuries. With the lineup getting tweaked every week, Ossai’s voice and play have become something the Longhorns can depend on week in and week out.

double coverage

GAMES to watch By Clark Dalton | @Clarktdalton1T

no. 9 auburn at no. 2 lsu 2:30 p.m., CBS

Joe Burrow’s case as a Heisman front-runner grows stronger with every touchdown. The hype could continue to increase if the senior quarterback pulls off his third victory against a top-15 team. Auburn’s playoff hopes are hanging by a very thin thread after falling to Florida. However, there is

still hope if they can knock off an undefeated LSU team in Death Valley. The matchup also has huge consequences in the SEC West as the winner is likely to arise as the biggest challenge to Alabama. Both teams stack up evenly, so it may come down to who can win a one-possession game.

no. 13 wisconsin at no. 3 ohio state 11:00 a.m., FOX

Prior to Week Eight, the sky was the limit for Wisconsin. Lofty ambitions toppled down after a loss to unranked Illinois. This week, the Badgers try to recuperate in Columbus, Ohio, against Ohio State, who is currently ranked third in the AP Top 25 poll. The Buckeyes have rolled over Big Ten opponents, scoring an average of 50 points per game. Junior defensive end

Chase Young has demolished backfields with 23 total tackles and 9.5 sacks. Wisconsin plans to counteract this with junior running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has joined special company, rushing for 5,000 yards in less than three seasons. The Badgers will need another great performance to get back in the chase. It would also mark the first stand against the Big Ten favorite.

no. 8. notre dame at n0. 19 michigan 6:30 p.m., ABC

After a tough road loss in Happy Valley, the Wolverines return to the Big House. Notre Dame arrives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a chip on its shoulder. The Fighting Irish are seeking a win against a ranked opponent. The Notre Dame defense has been stout, allowing only 16 points per game.

However, its Achilles’ heel has been its failure to stop the run game, where it allows 151 yards per game. Meanwhile, the Wolverines’ offense averages 154 rushing yards per game. Both teams go into this matchup with nothing to lose, so viewers can expect 60 minutes of smashmouth football.

washington state at no. 11 oregon 9:30 p.m., ESPN

Oregon narrowly escaped Spokane with a victory over rival Washington. Senior quarterback Justin Herbert is putting together an excellent campaign. Herbert has thrown 21 touchdowns and only one interception. On the other side, Washington State’s senior quarterback Anthony Gordon is the NCAA’s leading passer, throwing for 2,981

yards. With two quarterbacks playing at a high level and a pair of offenses averaging over 400 yards per game, a high-scoring game could be on the horizon. However, Oregon’s defense may be able to slow down the Cougars’ air raid offense. Either way, Oregon gets a chance to slowly edge its way back into the national conversation.

oklahoma state at no. 23 iowa state 2:30 p.m., FS1

Despite having talented players like sophomore running back Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State is sinking to the bottom of the Big 12. Iowa State has overcome early difficulties behind the strong play of sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy has thrown for 2,185 yards, which

is the fifth most in the NCAA. The Cyclones have the home-field advantage as well. Oklahoma State’s offense can match the Cyclones, though, as they average nearly 520 yards. If the Cowboys can pull off the upset, they could be poised for a turnaround.

BesT BETs for WEEK 9 By Cameron Parker

@camerondparker

I’m not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just a college student who watches too much college football and places bets he can’t afford — like most of y’all. This weekly column is where I will give you my best bets for the week in college football. I am not responsible for any money lost, so don’t request money from me on Venmo.

been excellent bets this season, with Auburn going 6–1 against the spread and LSU at a perfect 7–0. LSU looked dominant two weeks ago against a top-tier Florida team. Home-field advantage plus the Tigers’ 14-point win against Florida has me leaning toward head coach Ed Orgeron in this pivotal SEC West matchup. Pick: LSU(-10.5)

Hey Texas fans — stop freaking out. I know that sounds unreasonable, but come on. Even though Kansas may have felt like a loss, the only two actual Longhorn losses are to the No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the country. I wonder if the fans who are trashing Texas right now remember that a few years ago Dylan Haines was the starting safety, and the Longhorns hadn’t won 10 games since 2009. With all the injuries on the team plus the youth and inexperience, the defense was bound to have some growing pains throughout the season. The potential return of sophomore corner Jalen Green will definitely make an immediate impact Saturday, and a one-point line for Texas should be a lock. Don’t forget that TCU is struggling as of late — the Horned Frogs have lost two straight games, and three of their last four. Pick: Texas(-1.5)

How does Penn State go from being a nine-point favorite against Michigan to only a sixpoint favorite against Michigan State? Assuming that Vegas has no confidence in Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh even though the AP voters do, I still don’t understand this line. Penn State is 7–0 against the spread while the Spartans are a lackluster 4–3. After back-to-back blowouts at the hands of Ohio State and Wisconsin, it’s obvious the Spartans don’t have the team to compete with the top tier of the Big Ten. Look for the Nittany Lions to win big this weekend. Pick: Penn State(-6)

Last Week: 2–2 Overall: 14–5 No. 15 Texas(-1.5) at TCU

Marquee Matchup of the Week No. 9 Auburn at No. 2 LSU(10.5)

LSU might be the best team in the country, and Joe Burrow should definitely be leading the Heisman race. I’m not just saying that because the Tigers beat Texas earlier this year. Both teams have

Lock of the Week No. 6 Penn State(-6) at Michigan State

Degenerate Gambler Bet of the Week South Carolina(-4.5) at Tennessee

Betting against Tennessee is basically college football’s version of betting against Joe Flacco. South Carolina has played an incredibly difficult schedule, going against Alabama, Missouri, Georgia and Florida so far. Even though the Gamecocks are 3–4, I think their record does not give head coach Will Muschamp’s squad enough credit. And until further notice, Tennessee is still … Tennessee. Pick: South Carolina(-4.5)

e Friday, October 25, 2019

OPPONENTS to watch

By Myah Taylor @t_myah

Although Texas improved to 5–2 on the season last Saturday, its 50-48 win over Kansas was not the blowout victory most were anticipating. Costly turnovers by the Longhorn offense in the fourth quarter and abysmal play by the defense throughout the game nearly sent the Jayhawks back to Lawrence, Kansas, with a rare win. After last weekend’s unexpected thriller, Texas still remains in the running for the Big 12 Championship. However, several questions now surround the Longhorns, who will travel to face a TCU team boasting a star defensive tackle and a productive running back. Here are four Horned Frog players to watch this weekend against Texas.

NO. 15

NO. 90

NO. 6

NO. 7

max duggan

ross blacklock

darius anderson

Trevon Moehrig

Quarterback

For the first time this season, Texas will meet a true freshman quarterback in Max Duggan. In six starts, Duggan has thrown nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. With 874 passing yards, the freshman is also pretty good on his feet. In TCU’s loss last week at Kansas State, Duggan rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown. The Iowa native’s 46-yard touchdown run in which he stiff-armed defenders en route to the end zone helped the Horned Frogs tie up the game. Although the score wasn’t enough to hold off the Wildcats, who rallied late to win the game 24-17, Duggan established himself as an athletic quarterback. However, he’s also sack prone. In six games, opposing defenses have gotten to Duggan nine times this season. Texas’ defense should look to put Duggan on the ground Saturday before he takes off running through the secondary.

Defense tackle

In a press conference earlier this week, Texas head coach Tom Herman said junior Ross Blacklock is “as good a defensive tackle as we’ll play this year.” Herman was correct in his assessment. Blacklock has posted 3.5 sacks this season and 14 solo tackles. The Missouri City, Texas, native will also bring size and strength to the matchup at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds. In recent weeks, junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger has repeatedly navigated a collapsed pocket. If Texas’ defense continues to give up huge scoring plays, Ehlinger and the offense can’t miss a beat. This means the Longhorn offensive line needs to key in on Blacklock so Ehlinger can avoid the sack and any negative yardage plays.

all photos copyright tcu athletics communications, and reproduced with permission

Running back

Kansas racked up 569 yards of offense against Todd Orlando’s defense last weekend, largely due in part to the play of sophomore running back Pooka Williams Jr., who seemed almost unstoppable on the ground. This week at TCU, the Longhorns will be tasked with limiting another dynamic running back: senior Darius Anderson. Anderson has six touchdowns on the season — two on the ground and four through the air. The star back has rushed for 588 yards this season on 83 attempts, with 220 of these yards being against Big 12 opponents. To avoid a repeat of what transpired against Kansas last week, the Texas defense must limit Anderson’s aggressive rushing attack.

Safety

Sophomore safety Trevon Moehrig has put up impressive numbers for the Horned Frog defense in 2019. This season, Moehrig has recorded 23 solo tackles, five passes defended, two interceptions and one forced fumble. These statistics should be a red flag for a Texas offense that has seen receivers dropping more balls. Turnovers and missed opportunities nearly cost the Longhorns a game last weekend. To avoid more disaster at TCU, Texas must keep the ball out of Moehrig’s hands.

Texas By Wills Layton @willsdebeast

Double coverage

Oof. In one of the more disappointing performances of the Herman era, the Longhorns escaped what would have been a season-defining loss to the Kansas Jayhawks thanks to the leg of sophomore kicker Cameron Dicker. Heading into a pivotal road game against the TCU Horned Frogs, Texas looks to prove whether it can be a real contender for the Big 12 Championship. Here’s how the game against TCU could go:

wins if

… the offense continues to produce at a high level. Outside of the Red River Rivalry game, the Longhorn offense has been performing just as well as one would expect given all the talent on the roster. The talent of running backs freshman Roschon Johnson and sophomore Keaontay Ingram coupled with that of senior receivers in Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson provides junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger with all the tools necessary to put points on the board. The offense was not the problem against Kansas. As the defense is still a big question mark, the offense will need to once again carry the team if the Longhorns want to leave Fort Worth in control of their own Big 12 destiny. eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan staff

Senior defensive lineman Malcolm Roach celebrates a play in Texas’ 45-38 loss to LSU on Sept. 7. The Texas defense has allowed 30-plus points to each of its Power Five opponents.

… the defense can play disciplined football. The defense has underperformed in various ways, but the most striking issue is the team’s inability to tackle. In the loss to Oklahoma, the Longhorns failed to bring down graduate transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts and junior wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on several occasions, resulting in many missed opportunities to get back into the game. Against Kansas, missed tackles and penalties gave the Jayhawks every opportunity to score, causing the unexpected shootout. If the Longhorns can get back to playing tough, disciplined football and reduce the number of penalties and chunk plays, Texas should leave Fort Worth with a win. LOSES IF

PAGE 11

Friday, October 25, 2019

Notes from the opponent By Marcus Krum

The Daily Texan spoke to the sports editor at TCU 360, Colin Post, to preview No. 15 Texas’ matchup with the Horned Frogs. The Daily Texan: Last week, Kanasas State pulled out the win over TCU. Offensively, where will the Horned Frogs need to improve this weekend in order to outscore what’s been a prolific Texas offense? Colin Post: Well, here’s the thing with the TCU offense. Obviously, this season they went through this identity crisis of, “Who’s going to be our signal caller?” They started with the graduate transfer from Kansas State Alex Delton, and then by the time we got to Saturday’s matchup,

we’re more focused on Max Duggan, the true freshman (quarterback) out of Iowa. Sonny Cumbie, the offensive coordinator, is really looking to try to work on Duggan right now and get him comfortable with the team. He really showed an emergence (last Saturday against Kansas State) on being able to extend plays with (his) legs. … That was a big plus, but what he’s really continuing to struggle with is passing the football. DT: One of the storylines the last couple weeks is how Texas started the season playing great in run defense. … The last couple weeks, they’ve struggled in that aspect. What threats are posed by the TCU

@marcuskrum

rushing attack this week? CP: I think you look at last week, Texas struggled against (sophomore running back) Pooka Williams Jr. who really — once he gets into the open field he’s dangerous, he’s shifty, he’s quick. (TCU’s) lead running back Darius Anderson is like that. He’s among the top in the conference with 588 rushing yards, and his yards per carry is dangerous. He’s just got electric speed. And then on the other hand you’ve got (senior) Sewo Olonilua, who’s more of a power back who does present some speed. But really the valuable thing about Olonilua (is that) not only can he get you a score on fourth in goal at the one,

but on third-and-fours and fourthand-twos, those longer clutch downs and near midfield. Olonilua’s able to get those for the Horned Frogs, extending drives. And so that one-two punch I would say — look for Anderson to definitely get more carries on Saturday, especially with some of the speed that this Texas defense can provide. DT: When we asked the offensive players about the TCU defense, they said they throw these funky blitzes at (offenses) … How do you think that has played into TCU’s success on defense so far this season, and how do you think this defensive front matches up against this Texas offense?

loses if

continues from page

blaine young

/ the daily texan staff

Sophomore running back Keaontay Ingram eludes a Kansas tackler in the Longhorns’ 50-48 win over the Jayhawks last weekend. Ingram ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries.

CP: I mean, there’s no question it’s paid off for TCU. They’re No. 1 in the Big 12 in total defense and No. 11 nationally. Their defensive line has really struggled this year, only producing a handful of sacks, and that’s something that just killed (TCU) against Iowa State. (Iowa State quarterback) Brock Purdy had so much time in the pocket, and then when he needed to run he did, and carved (TCU) up. And so this weekend … I think the Texas offensive line, though it’s really struggled as of late … TCU only has 11 sacks on the season. So I think the lines match up decently well, as I think both of them have kind of struggled.

… TCU runs the ball well. In TCU’s loss to Kansas State last week, the Horned Frogs put up 247 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Max Duggan ran for a bulk of the production, rushing for 130 yards on only 13 attempts. Senior running backs Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua each chipped in 56 yards to the total. Against Kansas, Texas struggled mightily against sophomore running back Pooka Williams Jr., which caused problems for the pass defense. With a secondary already weakened by injury, an inability to stop the run would put more strain on the corners and safeties. If TCU can replicate their performance from last week at home, the Longhorns could be in trouble.

… the offense turns the ball over. Ehlinger has done a great job this season at limiting turnovers, but in the game against Kansas he threw an interception at an inopportune time. The fourth-quarter interception led to a score by the Jayhawks, which, had it not been for a blocked PAT returned for two points, would have tied the game at 31. With the defense playing as poorly as it is, Ehlinger cannot give opposing offenses the opportunity to take advantage. Until the defense begins to improve, Ehlinger will have to continue to carry the team as far as he can, and turnovers can make that job much more difficult. The rest of the offense has to do its part in limiting turnovers as well. A fumble by freshman receiver Jake Smith led to a Kansas touchdown that tied the game. Those kinds of mistakes against TCU could lead to a loss for the Longhorns.

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