Double Coverage 2013-10-25

1

THE DAILY TEXAN PRESENTS

OCTOBER 25, 2013

VOL. 8, ISSUE 8

THE REAL McCOY? PAGE 10

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2 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

2

THELINEUP 3

Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan Staff

Junior wide receiver Jaxon Shipley tries on the Golden Hat for the first time in his career after Texas’ dominating 36-20 win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivlary this season.

4

STAYING AWAY FROM CARRINGTON

Carrington Byndom shuts down opposing wide receivers like Congress shut down the government. Quarterbacks don’t throw his way much anymore. Find out why.

STILL A LOT TO PROVE

The Longhorns went into its game against TCU last Thanksgiving with a chance to win the Big 12 ... and they blew it. They find themselves in a similar situation this season.

Cover photo: Senior quarterback Case McCoy / Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo

PREVIEWS&NOTEBOOKS 9 13 14 16 17

MATCHUPS

5 8

KEYS TO THE GAME BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS GAMES TO WATCH NATIONAL NOTEBOOK

THE DAILY TEXAN PRESENTS

OCTOBER 25, 2013

VOL. 8, ISSUE 8

Double Coverage Editor........Christian Corona Design Editor...........................Natasha Smith Photo Editor............................Elisabeth Dillon Writers..................................Garrett Callahan ..............................................Peter Sblendorio ................................................Evan Berkowitz .................................................Chris Hummer ............................................Cameron Kubena ....................................................David Leffler ..............................................Drew Lieberman ...............................................Darren Mitchell ...............................................Stefan Scrafield ....................................................Matt Warden ..............................................Rachel Wenzlaff

10

LONGHORNS LOVING UNDERDOG ROLE

Texas faltered as favorites early this year but thrived as a two-touchdown underdog against OU. The Longhorns are still an underdog this week and that’s just the way they like it.

SHUTDOWN SECONDARY

TCU leads the Big 12 in rush defense but its best defensive asset may be its secondary, which is led by senior All-American cornerback and likely first-round pick Jason Verrett.

MAKING HIS CASE

Case McCoy has spent his entire Longhorn career under his older brother’s shadow and behind David Ash on the depth chart.

He’s getting his chance to shine now, but will it be enough?

EDITOR’SNOTE Even two weeks may not have been enough time to fully comprehend and appreciate what took place at the Cotton Bowl in Texas’ last game. The team that was throttled by BYU and Ole Miss was nowhere to be found. In its place was an inspired, talented and angry group that left no doubt — the Longhorns are legitimate Big 12 title contenders. They are still underdogs in Fort Worth this weekend but they’re also still undefeated in conference play.

3 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

3

BYNDOM STEPS UP IN SENIOR SEASON

By Peter Sblendorio @petersblendorio

Senior cornerback Carrington Byndom refuses to take it personally when opposing quarterbacks target the receiver he is covering. In fact, he embraces having the ball thrown in his direction.

“Always,” Byndom said. “I’m a cornerback.

That’s always a good thing.”

The senior thrives off of making gamechanging plays when given the opportunity.

Byndom boasts an impressive résumé of five interceptions, 27 passes defended and a pair of defensive touchdowns over the course of his stellar four-year career, and the Longhorns’ opponents seem to have taken notice so far this season.

“They really haven’t thrown at him much this year,” head coach Mack Brown said.

“Everybody’s been going away from him.

He’s been healthy this year and it’s been

interesting that a lot of people have gone to the other side and stayed away from him.”

While he has yet to force a turnover through six games this season, Byndom continues to contribute. He regularly matches up against the opponent’s top receiver, and senior safety Adrian Phillips said this opens things up for the rest of the defense.

“Whoever’s their best receiver, he’ll be on them,” Phillips said. “Having a guy like that, knowing you can put him on someone and knowing he’s pretty much locked up for the whole game, it brings a lot to our defense and we’re able to do a lot of things with that.”

In addition to starring as a shutdown corner, Byndom plays an active role in pursuit of the ball. The senior cornerback registered 10 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles in his first three seasons, and he recorded his only career sack as a junior last year.

BYNDOM page14

BYNDOM BY THE NUMBERS TACKLES

TFL

INT

PASSES BROKEN UP

FORCED FUMBLES

BLOCKS

2010

20

0

0

1

1

1

2011

54

7

2

15

1

0

2012

50

3

3

4

0

2

2013

18

0

0

2

0

0

Career

142

10

5

22

2

3 Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo

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4

Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo

TCU’s Trevone Boykin stiff-arms Texas cornerback Carrington Byndom during the Horned Frogs’ 20-13 win over the Longhorns last Thanksgiving, which ended Texas’ hopes of winning the Big 12.

Texas can’t win Big 12 with another loss to TCU

By Christian Corona Double Coverage Editor @ChristianC0rona

Think back to the situation Texas was in going into its game against TCU last year.

The Longhorns had won four in a row since being demolished by Oklahoma for the second straight season.

At 8-2, Texas had an outside chance at winning the Big 12.

If it beat TCU on Thanksgiving

and upset Big 12 leader Kansas State in Manhattan in its regular season finale, the Longhorns would win the conference championship if Oklahoma State could take down Oklahoma.

Instead, Texas, a sevenpoint favorite, fell at home to the Horned Frogs and were crushed by the Wildcats the following weekend.

The Longhorns settled for an Alamo Bowl victory over

Oregon State.

“We were on a roll last year,” head coach Mack Brown recalled. “This [loss to TCU] knocked us out of a lot things that we were planning on accomplishing last year.

So this is an important game for us.”

Fast forward to this year and Texas is in a very similar spot: beat TCU or have virtually no chance of winning the Big 12. After losing

two of their first three games, the only way the Longhorns can salvage their season is by winning the conference. They took a major step toward accomplishing that goal by dominating Oklahoma two weeks ago but all that will be in vain if they can’t triumph over TCU. But if they lose, the Longhorns will prove that they’re not the team they’ve said they are all season long.

The two teams that squared

off in Austin last Thanksgiving are essentially the same ones that will face each other in Fort Worth this weekend.

Texas returned an FBS-best 19 starters this year while TCU was not far behind with 15 returning starters.

“There are a lot of guys whose name ring a bell that you kind of wish would’ve been gone,” senior guard Mason Walters said. “But they’re that same team and so

are we. It’ll be a good chance to see who has improved more in a year. But I think teams do tend to change a bit over a year. It’s just that the names stay the same.”

Texas and TCU are expected to play another close game this year. The Horned Frogs are two-point favorites. If they were playing the Longhorns at a neutral site,

TCU page 13

5 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

5

Longhorns don’t mind being an underdog again

By Garrett Callahan @CallahanGarrett

Motivation is simply defined as the force that compels us to action.

For Texas, that force this season has varied from game to game but one of the biggest motivational techniques used has been the negative attention surrounding the program since their 1-2 start.

“I don’t care what level of football it’s on, there is a time when players need external motivation from the outside,” defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said. “I think there are a lot of people that are that way. That is just part of the deal.”

In their games against Brigham Young University and Ole Miss, the Longhorns were favored by seven and 4.5 points, respectively.

Needless to say, Texas lost both of those games causing a media uproar of negative attention towards the team.

In its narrow victory against Iowa State, Texas was at one time a 10-point favorite before settling the spread at eight points. In that game, the Longhorns only came away with a one-point victory.

When the tides are turned, however, Texas seems to fuel off the idea it is an underdog. Against Oklahoma, the Sooners were two-touchdown favorites. Neither team had been favored to win by more points since Texas was a three-touchdown favorite over Oklahoma in 1996. The Longhorns came out of Dallas with a 36-20 win, their first in four years, despite nobody outside their locker room giving them a chance to win the game.

“It’s not about doubters and haters, but you always have that chip on your shoulder,” senior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat said. “That’s

TEXAS AS AN UNDERDOG THE LAST 10 YEARS 10-7 OVERALL

Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan Staff

Quandre Diggs was one of several Texas players who expressed his frustration with those who doubted the Longhorns and his satisfaction in proving them wrong with a lopsided 36-20 win over Oklahoma. Naturally, Texas is an underdog once again this week against TCU — a role the Longhorns are getting used to.

what motivates you, keeps you going to do your best.”

Going into its game against TCU in Fort Worth this weekend, Texas is once again the underdog, as the Horned Frogs opened the week favored by three points.

“Having your brothers around you, we have a great team here, a bunch of guys that want to do the same thing, have a common goal,” Jeffcoat said. “We’re all excited for this game. We’re all ticked off. We just want to show that we’re a good team.

We have a good defense, a good offense and we can play with anybody.”

Each player obviously has their own motivation and whether or not being the underdog proves that factor is up to the athlete.

“I personally love underdogs,” junior defensive end Cedric Reed said. “I love being underrated. Playing with a chip on your shoulder is the way you play football.”

On the other hand, some believe using the negative attention as a motivation factor

can be a sort of a crutch.

“I think everybody does that to a certain point,” senior offensive guard Mason Walters. “But I think if I had to rely on somebody else to get me motivated then I’d be fighting an uphill battle all the time.”

Either way, Texas believes it has to take the confidence it gained from the Cotton Bowl and leave any media attention it gets alone.

“We’ve been talked about

UNDERDOGS page 18

OPPONENT

SPREAD

RESULT

2013

Oklahoma

+14

W 36-20

2012

Oregon St.

+3

W 31-27

2012

Kansas St.

+11

L 42-24

2012

Texas Tech

+6

W 31-22

2011

Baylor

+3

L 48-24

2011

Texas A&M

+8

W 27-25

2011

Oklahoma St.

+7

L 21-10

2010

Texas A&M

+3

L 24-17

2010

Oklahoma St.

+5

L 33-16

2010

Nebraska

+9

W 20-13

2010

Oklahoma

+3

L 21-7

2008

Oklahoma

+6

W 45-35

2007

Oklahoma

+12

W 28-21

2005

USC

+7

W 41-38

2005

Ohio State

+1

W 25-22

2004

Texas Tech

+1

W 24-14

2004

Oklahoma

+7

L 12-0

6 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

6

Texas facing conference’s top rush D

By Peter Sblendorio @petersbeldnorio

In their upset victory over No. 12 Oklahoma two weeks ago, the Longhorns finally employed the punishing ground attack they believed they were capable of all along.

Sophomore running back Johnathan Gray and junior running back Malcolm Brown each eclipsed the 100-yard plateau on the ground, setting the pace for an offense that ran for 255 yards on 60 carries. This week’s matchup against TCU, though, figures to present a bigger challenge for the Texas running backs.

The Horned Frogs boast the top-ranked run defense in the Big 12, allowing just 115.3 rushing yards through seven games. They already limited both Texas Tech and Kansas to fewer than 50 rushing yards in games this year, and they held pass-happy SMU to a paltry 16 yards on the ground.

Head coach Mack Brown realizes the difficulty in pounding the ball against the stout TCU front seven, and he remains hopeful that his team can rise to the challenge coming off of a dynamic rushing performance against the Sooners.

“This may be the best run defense in our league that

we’re playing this weekend,” Brown said. “This will really be great timing for us with this matchup because we talked about who we wanted to be. We were that team [against Oklahoma]. Can you do that again when they know you’re going to run it?”

The Longhorns running backs believe they can. Malcolm Brown said they continue to approach this game the same way as any other, and he expects the Texas coaching staff to put together an offensive scheme that allows them to control the line of scrimmage.

“These coaches always have a great game plan for us each and every week,” Brown said. “I know they’ll have a scheme for us. It’s nothing different really. We just have to practice hard and go in with a mindset that we’re going to win and do what we want to do on offense.”

Despite this, Gray acknowledged TCU’s ability to wreak havoc against opposing run games. The running back knows the Horned Frogs excel in plugging running lanes and making contact early, and he said the Longhorns must be prepared to take on their physical front seven.

“They are a great defense,” Gray said. “They’re No. 1 in stopping the run. They are doing a great job at spiking

Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo

TCU has always defended well under longtime head coach Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs, once again, are among the nation’s best at stopping the run. Texas, who ran for 255 yards against Oklahoma in its last game, faces a stiff test this week.

gaps and being fundamentally sound. [TCU head coach] Gary Patterson always has those guys going so it is going to be a tough defense to play against. We have to be better at preparation and get prepared for them.”

Texas failed to accomplish

RUN page 8

TCU RUN DEFENSE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS RUSH YPG ALLOWED

NATIONAL RANK

CONFERENCE RANK

RUSH YPC ALLOWED

NATIONAL RANK

CONFERENCE RANK

2013

115.3

17

1

3.1

14

1

2012

105.4

10

1

3.3

12

1

2011

123.8

25

2

3.5

27

2

2010

99.7

5

1

3.3

10

2

2009

80.2

3

1

2.6

2

1

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

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7

DAVID LEFFLER DAILY TEXAN STAFF

Before last week’s Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma, Brown had been a ghost, carrying the ball 23 times for 63 yards through the first five games of the season. But Brown practically gashed the Sooners’ vaunted defense for 120 yards on 23 carries. This marked Brown’s best performance since his freshman year and the first time he topped the century mark since last year’s opener against Wyoming. If Brown continues to play like this, watch out: he and Johnathan Gray could form a dangerous 1-2 punch out of the Texas backfield.

RB/WR Daje Johnson (So.)

After a sizzling start to the season against New Mexico State, injuries had either made Johnson a non-factor or forced him to sit out games altogether.

Johnson scored for the first time since Texas’ season opener when he returned a third-quarter punt 85 yards for a touchdown, flashing his impressive speed en route to giving Texas a comfortable 29-13 lead. Whether it’s in the running game, as a receiver or as a returner, Johnson has shown he has the game-changing talent to reach the end zone any time he touches the ball.

S Adrian Phillips (Sr.)

For much of this season, Phillips had been the primary target for criticism of the Longhorn defense. Whether it was in coverage or tackling, he was typically the first to be blamed for the defense’s many costly mistakes. But he has rallied and played well for Texas, providing senior leadership for a unit forced to adjust to a new coordinator in Greg Robinson. Phillips looked especially strong in the run game against the Sooners, totaling nine tackles, five of which were solo.

UP

Kick Coverage

Although Texas excelled against Oklahoma in the punt return game, netting an 85-yard touchdown in the third quarter by Daje Johnson, the team struggled to cover kickoffs. On his only two return attempts, the Sooners’ Roy Finch totaled 97 yards, including a 73-yarder that set Oklahoma up for an easy touchdown just before halftime.

WR Jaxon Shipley (Jr.)

Despite being back to full health, Shipley has struggled to make a consistent impact for this Texas offense and still has not reached the end zone this season, leaving many shaking their heads.

Through six games, Shipley has 347 receiving yards, less than 60 yards per game. His numbers have dropped significantly since the Longhorns began Big 12 play, during which he has 13 catches for 119 yards in three games. Considering the connection he and senior quarterback Case McCoy have had in the past, this lack of production is shocking.

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8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

8

All-American Verett leading formidable Frogs secondary

By Evan Berkowitz @Evan_Berkowitz

Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press

Oklahoma State running back Rennie Childs fights off a tackle by TCU cornerback Jason Verrett and safety Chris Hackett in Stillwater, Okla.

The Longhorns know they have a challenge on Saturday.

“For me, my side of the ball, TCU has an incredible defense, probably the best in our league, if not the best in college football right now,” senior quarterback Case McCoy said.

And head coach Mack Brown made sure to note that, more specifically, TCU’s secondary is one of its most formidable units.

“They do a great job in the back end,” Brown said. “They do a great job matching routes.

When they do disguise and play man, they do a great job playing man coverage.”

That great play Brown speaks of on the back end is in large part due to the outstanding play of senior cornerback Jason Verrett and junior safety Sam Carter.

Few would argue against the assertion that Verrett is the best cornerback in the Big 12. He was a unanimous preseason All-Big 12 selection after being named a first-team All-American last year by SI.com. He led the Big 12 with 1.69 passes defended per game, the secondmost in the country.

“It gives you confidence knowing you can line up with him on the best,” TCU head coach Gary Patterson said. “He’s not the biggest corner, but he battles you and

RUN

continues from page 6 much on the ground in a loss against TCU last season, compiling just 86 rushing yards while averaging 2.6 yards per carry. The Horned Frogs returned nine starters on defense from last year, but senior left guard Trey Hopkins insists the Longhorns

is smart about what he does.

He learns on the field.”

While Verrett may be the Horned Frogs’ best NFL prospect on defense, he isn’t having the best statistical year on that side of the ball.

That honor belongs to Carter.

Carter, who burned the Longhorns last year with a forced fumble and a gamesealing interception, has gotten better since. He already has two sacks, a forced fumble and three picks, returning one for a touchdown.

“Sam is an amazing guy,” Patterson said. “Our safeties get themselves in good positions because they are really smart football players.”

Verrett, his partner in crime, isn’t just a cover corner. He was ranked sixth in the NCAA last year with six interceptions and he recorded 63 tackles. He was the only player in the nation ranked in the Top 10 in interceptions and passes defended.

But, for the former high school running back, it almost never happened.

Verrett ended up learning how to play cornerback at Santa Rosa CC (Calif.) and did it well enough to be ranked as the nation’s No. 6 JUCO cornerback, according to rivals.com.

The FBS interest didn’t follow, though, as he had expected.

He got no offers from a BCS school. A few from Mountain West schools

such as Boise State, San Jose State and TCU, along with one from UTEP. Ultimately, he signed with the Horned Frogs.

His first start couldn’t have gone much worse.

Then-Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III threw six touchdown passes against the Horned Frogs — the first three coming at Verrett’s expense. That was two more touchdowns allowed in his first game at the FBS level as he had surrendered the prior year in junior college.

Verrett wanted to quit.

He called his dad, mom, brother, former coach and Patterson to inform them his first game was going to be his last.

“I didn’t really wanna quit,” Verrett said a year later. “I was kind of lost. I was thinking of all the wrong things instead of just taking it as one game with 11 more to go.”

He learned from that game, one which Patterson still refers to as the “the one where [Verrett] wouldn’t come out from underneath the covers.”

He handles adversity better.

He’s learned to take things one game at a time.

Verrett is now a projected second-round pick in the NFL Draft and was named to the 2013 Lott Trophy watch list. He leads the team with 12 passes defended to go along with his one interception.

And, to think, he almost quit after his first game.

refuse to be overmatched in the running game this time.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us,” Hopkins said. “They were a great run defense last year, and we only rushed for 86 yards.

That’s definitely something that we’re not going to allow to happen this year. We’re definitely going to have to be able to move the ball on

the ground.”

TCU allowed just one of its past five opponents to compile over 100 yards on the ground, a total surpassed by both Gray and Brown two weeks ago. The Longhorns remain confident they can continue their ground success again this week, but they know it won’t come easily against the Horned Frogs.

9

MATCHUPS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

9

CAMERON KUBENA DAILY TEXAN STAFF

QUARTERBACKS Trevone Boykin has struggled since replacing injured Casey Pachall in Week 2, throwing five interceptions and only one touchdown pass in the past two games. TCU’s second leading rusher, Boykin offers a dual-threat capability with 293 yards and three touchdowns on the year. Case McCoy earned respect in the upset against Oklahoma, when he was flawless except for two overthrown passes and a pick-six. But McCoy has proven himself as a starter, and true freshman Tyrone Swoopes will keep his redshirt on unless McCoy gets hurt.

RUNNING BACKS TCU has the 94th-ranked rushing offense in the country but has two threats in B.J. Catalon and Waymon James, who are averaging a collective 5.1 yards per carry. They combined for only 30 yards against a healthy Oklahoma defense while Texas, after running for only 119 yard against Iowa State, had two players run for more yards than that by themselves against a Sooners defense that had several key pieces missing.

ADVANTAGE

ADVANTAGE

WIDE RECEIVERS TCU’s top seven receivers each have between 129 and 186 yards while combining for three touchdown catches. Junior Cam White has multiple catches in every game since Week 2 and, while Boykin has options, none have stepped up as a major threat yet. Jaxon Shipley and Mike Davis have been consistent, combining for 97 yards in the win over Oklahoma. But sophomore Marcus Johnson proved that wide receiver is the deepest position on the Texas roster, catching a 59-yard touchdown pass against the Sooners, becoming the sixth Longhorns player to have a touchdown catch of at least 54 yards.

OFFENSIVE LINE TCU is led by senior James Dunbar, who worked his way back on to the team after leaving the program before the 2012 season due to academic reasons. The Horned Frogs have allowed five tackles for loss and two sacks per game this year, the 45th-fewest and 64th-fewest in the country, respectively. The Longhorns offensive line did not give up a sack against Oklahoma and paved the way for them to run for 255 yards. Texas will face another challenge in a TCU defense that is the best in the Big 12 against the run.

ADVANTAGE

ADVANTAGE

DEFENSIVE LINE

LINEBACKERS

Despite losing sophomore Devonte Fields to injury, TCU has made 60 tackles for loss and 24 sacks, both the third-most in the country. Three weeks ago, Oklahoma ran for 203 yards against TCU, who will need to make adjustments against a Texas team that turned in its best rushing performance of the year against those same Sooners in its last game. Texas’ defensive line feasted on the Oklahoma offense, highlighted by a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chris Whaley. Since Greg Robinson took over as defensive coordinator, Texas has allowed 50 fewer rushing yards per game.

The loss of junior linebacker Jordan Hicks was almost unnoticeable against Oklahoma, as Steve Edmond and Dalton Santos each had six tackles in a defensive effort while the Sooners had their worst offensive game of the season. There are only two linebackers in Gary Patterson’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme -- Marcus Mallet, who has 40 tackles on the year and two sacks, and Jonathan Anderson, who has 33 tackles and 0.5 sacks this season.

The two have been instrumental in a defense that holds offenses to 115 rushing yards a game and a third-down efficiency rate of 38 percent.

ADVANTAGE

ADVANTAGE

DEFENSIVE BACKS Texas’ secondary has held opposing quarterbacks to just 211 yards per game in the Greg Robinson era. But the defensive backs did not have an interception since playing BYU until Duke Thomas intercepted Blake Bell last week. That win over Oklahoma was the third this season where the Longhorns did not allow a touchdown pass. Despite losing 2410 to Oklahoma State, the Horned Frogs secondary picked off three passes, bringing their season total to 13, the third-most in the league. There are three players with at least two picks with sophomore Chris Hackett and junior Sam Carter leading the way with three apiece.

ADVANTAGE

SPECIAL TEAMS The return of sophomore Daje Johnson introduced a threat in the Texas return game, as Johnson returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma. Despite the threat, Texas has the 4th yards a return. No touchdowns yet for the ‘Horns, but that could change against a TCU special teams that has the 7th TCU has an explosive return game, with two kicks returned for touchdowns early this season. The Horned Frogs return team has been quiet the past four games, averaging just 35 yards of kick return yards a game.

ADVANTAGE

CASE STUDY Offseason trip to Peru gives McCoy new perspective

By Garrett Callahan @CallahanGarrett

Case McCoy has always been in the background.

He grew up as the little brother of former Texas star Colt McCoy and has spent most of his Longhorns career as the backup quarterback. For Case, however, the chip on his shoulder has not been in the background—a chip that has helped define McCoy during his time as a Longhorn so far.

“It’s there,” co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite said. “You know the little brother syndrome or the back-up quarterback syndrome.

Whatever you want to call it. He certainly has a chip on his shoulder. And it doesn’t come out in just feistiness or words, it comes out in his preparation and his dedication to his teammates.”

When he was five years old, doctors caught a skin and muscular disease named scleroderma, which is a build-up of scar-like tissue in the skin. The senior said that chip he has on his shoulder started when he got that diagnosis.

“That was a disadvantage I was put at early,” McCoy said. “But at the same time, I don’t think I’d be here if it weren’t for it. It made me work harder, it made me want all of this more than I would have if I were a normal healthy child.”

Scleroderma isn’t the only outside factor affecting how McCoy looked at his life. This past summer, the

quarterback spent 10 weeks in Peru on a mission trip.

McCoy helped purify water and installed water filtration systems while in South America. He spent time with underprivileged families and came to the realization on how lucky he was to be in the position he was.

“I took away a lot, about how blessed I am along with all of everyone living in this country,” McCoy said. “I realized how much people not only in Peru but in America would trade for my position anytime.”

While it can be hard to see at first sight, the mission trip had an impact on his football career.

“I realized how much of a passion I have for this game,” McCoy said. “Being separated from it for 10 weeks, its something that I haven’t done since I was in junior high. I’ve been around this game my whole life. I realized how much passion I have and how much love I have for my teammates.”

When you play at a school Texas, it can be easy as a player to become overconfident, a feature some say McCoy exhibits too often.

“Around here you can love yourself pretty quick,” Applewhite said. “I’ve been a part of that, done it myself as a player, and you just have to fight it every day and focus on your team” Nonetheless, McCoy has found that focus once again. With six games left to create his legacy at Texas, the senior has used his off-field activities as an advantage instead of a crutch.

“There was a time in there I was going through the motions and not relishing in the moment that I was living in,” McCoy said. “Once I realized that and realized I had one more year to do what I loved and continue to try and achieve this dream I’ve had for so long, that’s the biggest impact from it all. I was ready to get back as soon as that hit me.”

CASE McCOY BY THE NUMBERS COMP/ATT

COMP %

YARDS

TD-INT

RECORD AS STARTER

2011

88/144

61.1

1,034

7-4

3-2

2012

54/76

71.1

722

6-3

0-1

2013

75/123

61.0

764

4-1

2-1

Career

217/543

63.3

2,520

17-8

5-4 (.556)

Elisabeth Dillon / Daily Texan file photo

McCoy’s heroics in vain if Longhorns don’t win Big 12

By Chris Hummer

Daily Texan Sports Editor @chris_hummer

In the week before Texas toppled Oklahoma senior quarterback Case McCoy showed great perspective, and a sense of timing, when he said the Red River Rivalry game could define his legacy.

“This is a game that I could be remembered for the rest of my life,” McCoy said.

“I’m preparing and [practicing] for a game I’ll be remembered for forever.”

McCoy delivered on the field, and Texas fans now look upon him fondly for defeating Oklahoma and tossing the team back into the national discussion—the positive side of it. The win was monumental, but not a legacy-defining moment. For now, McCoy’s lastminute scramble against Texas A&M is what he’ll be remembered for. But that will eventually fade. The two schools will meet again; it’s inevitable.

In order for McCoy to create a lasting on-field legacy in Austin, and separate himself from his brother’s shadow, the wiry quarterback with questionable arm strength and a fiery personality must lead Texas to a Big 12 championship.

His accomplishments thus far, while impressive, are mere flashes in a long history of trophies and championships at Texas. Other than the Texas A&M game, his stats will barely be mentioned when people look back on the Longhorns in 40 years. He’s quarterbacking Texas through a down era, a time period usually forgotten quickly when rosier timelines develop.

Does anyone remember the name Bret Safford?

No, well he was the Longhorns’ starting quarterback from 1986-87, a stretch where Texas went 12-11. He wasn’t great; actually he never threw for more touchdowns than interceptions

in a season, but he was still a starting quarterback for the Longhorns.

McCoy was never quite that bad, but he’s playing during a very similar stretch in Texas football history. Actually, McCoy could be even less memorable than Safford. He hasn’t even been a starter for a full season, and his last name prevents him from forging anything more than the “Oh, isn’t that Colt’s brother?” talk.

This could all change if Case can help catapult Texas back to national relevance—something it’s lacked since his brother left the field holding his arm during the 2009 national championship game. A Big 12 title would do so, and would cement a new beginning in Texas football history, transferring the program out of this three-year period of mediocrity during Mack Brown’s tenure.

McCoy is the type of leader capable of helping Texas through a difficult Big

In order for McCoy to create a lasting on-field legacy in Austin, and separate himself from his brother’s shadow, the wiry quarterback with questionable arm strength and a fiery personality must lead Texas to a Big 12 championship.

12 stretch, and come out the other side better for it. His teammates praise his command of the huddle, and his gunslinger mentality gives the Longhorns offense a spark it often lacked when David Ash started under center.

The possibility is there, and it’s almost hard to doubt the spunky threestar recruit who’s already come so far.

But if he doesn’t lead Texas back, the lengths he’s already covered won’t matter. Eventually McCoy, at least the Case portion of the name, will fade.

12

PLAYERS TO WATCH

12

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

MATT WARDEN DAILY TEXAN STAFF

Texas will beat TCU, UNC will fall to 1-6

By Darren Mitchell @texansports

Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin passes against Kansas on Saturday, Oct. 12 in Fort Worth.

QB Trevone Boykin (So.)

His numbers may not appear very impressive at first glance, but it should be noted that Trevone Boykin has been taken over for injured starter Casey Pachall for five weeks now and has done a decent job. The Horned Frogs are 2-3 with Boykin under center this season, with two of those losses coming to Top 25 teams in conference play. Boykin has passed for 1,152 yards and five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is second on the team with 293 rushing yards, revealing his ability to run the football when needed. Texas often has problems with mobile quarterbacks, which was especially evident against BYU, so the Longhorns will need to do a good job of keeping Boykin in the pocket. His numbers won’t blow you away but he will touch the ball more than any TCU player in this game and his athleticism gives him a chance to hurt the Longhorns if they aren’t careful.

RB B.J. Catalon (So.)

The sophomore running back is the leading rusher for an offense that averages 139.1 rushing yards per game, putting them at No. 94 in the nation. Although quarterback Trevone Boykin has amassed the most carries for TCU, B.J. Catalon has racked up 359 rushing yards to go along with a teamhigh five touchdowns. Catalon is a speedy back who opens the passing game for Boykin with his ability to pick up yards on the outside. Catalon is also a valuable kick returner for the Horned Frogs, compiling 404 yards on 15 returns this season, including a touchdown. While Texas will have to keep an eye on Catalon on special teams, his 5.2 yards per carry average is the number the Longhorns should focus on the most leading into this game.

DB Chris Hackett (So.)

The TCU defense has outplayed its offense this season, by far, giving up only 21.7 points per game, good enough for No. 31 in the nation. The Horned Frogs’ ability to create turnovers is a big reason for this defensive play and Chris Hackett has played a big role in that. Hackett is a secondyear safety who leads the team in tackles with 47 and is tied for the lead in interceptions with three. The tall safety has also tallied two sacks and two forced fumbles on the season.

Whatever the defense needs on any given play, Hackett has proven the ability to deliver it. He is a big safety who is not afraid to get physical and has the speed to cover receivers when coverage breaks down. Case McCoy should beware of Hackett when dropping back in the pocket.

The Longhorns are nearly impossible to read.

After having a horrendously lackluster performance against Iowa State, Texas had, by far, its best game of the year the next week against No. 12 Oklahoma. The big difference was the Longhorns’ rushing attack. Running backs Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown both rushed for at least 120 yards on a combined 52 carries.

Despite the big win, TCU still comes into the game slightly favored, presumably due to a lack of faith in backup quarterback Case McCoy, whose play is a legitimate concern.

TCU has one of the best secondaries in the country. But the backup quarterback doesn’t need to be a game-breaker. If McCoy takes care of the ball like he did against the Sooners, the Longhorns can sneak out of Fort Worth with a win.

Texas (+1.5) at TCU Lock of the Week South Carolina at Missouri (-3) Picking a lock in a matchup of two Top 25

teams may seem risky, but these two clubs are trending in opposite directions.

Missouri is coming off an incredible two-week stretch in which they knocked off Georgia on the road by 15 points and then handled Florida easily at home by 19. South Carolina has been mediocre on the road all season and now they likely have to go at it without their starting quarterback Connor Shaw, who injured his knee last week in a loss to Tennessee. Missouri’s surprising rise to the Top 5 should last at least another week.

Upset Alert Boston College (+7.5) at North Carolina North Carolina is favored by more than a touchdown. That’s just too much for a 1-5 Tar Heels team that lost at home to East Carolina by 24 points.

Boston College kept it close against Clemson and gave powerhouse Florida State their best game to date. They should be able to at least keep it within a touchdown, if not outright win against a talented but underachieving North Carolina squad.

Darren’s record: 8-10 (.444)

NEXT ISSUE NOVEMBER 1

Texas vs. Kansas

13 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

13

RUN THE BALL In case you missed this key to the game for the last few games, here it is again. The Longhorns need to run the ball a lot against TCU to establish the tempo they want to play at. Texas ran the ball 60 times against Oklahoma, wearing down the defense just enough to give Case McCoy the confidence he needed to make accurate passes. 255 yards on the ground against Oklahoma is an accomplishment that cannot be ignored and the Longhorns need to use that game as a blueprint for the rest of this season. TCU has a solid defense that is good at forcing turnovers. McCoy is the most likely member of the offense to turn the ball over so the obvious thing to do would be to let the backs lead the offense and wear down the Horned Frogs. Texas is more successful when they rack up tons of carries.

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WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE Although the Horned Frogs have thrown many interceptions this season, there is no denying that the defense can neutralize this with the ability to do the same. TCU has picked off eight passes and forced 12 fumbles this season, a big reason why its defense has forced a Big 12-best 19 turnovers this year. Texas has yet to lose the turnover battle in a game this season and it has to keep that up against TCU to have a chance at winning this weekend.

PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK Although the Horned Frogs have thrown many interceptions this season, there is no denying that the defense can neutralize this with the ability to do the same. TCU has picked off eight passes and forced 12 fumbles this season, a big reason why its defense has forced a Big 12-best 19 turnovers this year. Texas has yet to lose the turnover battle in a game this season and it has to keep that up against TCU to have a chance at winning this weekend.

TCU

continues from page 4 the game might be a pick ‘em. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,� senior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat said. “It’s very similar but those guys have gotten better. Those guys have talented receivers, talented running backs. [Sophomore

quarterback Trevone] Boykin’s good. Their offensive line is good as well.

We’ve got to come play.�

Texas is not as far in its season as it was when it lost to TCU last year. But if the Longhorns lose to the Horned Frogs again this season, it will be a devastating blow to their chances to win the Big 12 – the one goal

keeping them motivated.

With its last three regular season contests against Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Baylor – all ranked teams and the last two in the Top 10 of the first BCS standings – this week’s game against TCU is a must-win.

Texas can win the Big 12 with another loss. But not if that loss is to TCU.

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14

BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS

14

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

STEFAN SCRAFIELD DAILY TEXAN STAFF

1

BAYLOR

2 3

4 5

6

WEST VIRGINIA

TEXAS TECH

7

TCU

TEXAS

8

KANSAS STATE

9

KANSAS

After “struggling” against Kansas State, the Bears’ high-powered offense got back on track with a 71-point performance against lowly Iowa State. Baylor checked in at No. 8 in the initial BCS rankings and has a chance to enter the national championship conversation if they win out and get some help along the way.

The Red Raiders trailed heading into the fourth quarter for the first time all season in Morgantown, but an impressive comeback led by freshman quarterback Davis Webb kept Tech’s perfect record intact. Webb was stellar in just his second career start, throwing for over 400 yards, two scores and no interceptions. He’ll be put to the test yet again this weekend in Norman.

A couple weeks after winning their first Golden Hat since 2009, the Longhorns head back to the Metroplex for a matchup with the Horned Frogs. The talent has been there all season, but Texas appears to be finding its identity now. Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown are making the Longhorns’ backfield as good as any in the country and the veteran offensive line is beginning to live up to expectations.

OKLAHOMA The Sooners bounced back from their devastating Red River Rivalry loss with an easy win over Kansas, but the passing game continues to struggle. Their biggest play of the day came on a wide receiver pass while quarterback Blake Bell threw for only 131 yards. They’ll need more from him against Baylor and Texas Tech the next two weeks.

OKLAHOMA STATE

As bad as the quarterback play has been in Norman, it’s been worse in Stillwater. The Cowboys beat TCU, but quarterbacks Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh combined for no touchdowns and three interceptions in the game. They’ll need to be a whole lot better if they hope to get a win in Lubbock in a couple weeks.

BYNDOM

continues from page 3 As one of the most experienced members of the Texas secondary, Byndom also holds a leadership role on the Longhorns’ defense. Junior cornerback Quandre Diggs rooms with Byndom on road trips, and he said the senior cornerback served as one of

his mentors during his first two seasons.

“He’s been a guy that’s taught me a lot,” Diggs said.

“When I came in, he was one of the guys that took me under his wing. He’s one of the guys that keeps me focused and keeps me level-headed.

He’s quiet, but when he does say something, everybody respects it.”

While he is not a particularly vocal member of the locker room, Byndom continues to lead the younger members of the secondary by offering positive reinforcement and setting a strong example.

“I know the younger guys look up to me with my experience,” Byndom said. “I just keep them going and keep

10

The Mountaineers showed some promise in their loss against Texas Tech, leading most of the game. With all four teams below them on this list still on their schedule, there is still time for West Virginia to turn their season around and get into a bowl game.

The Horned Frogs continue to be the biggest disappointment in the Big 12, if not in the whole country. Casey Pachall’s return can’t come quick enough, as Trevone Boykin continues to struggle as the starting quarterback. If they don’t beat Texas this week, their chances to earn a bowl berth will be very slim.

The Wildcats’ conference record is a little misleading as their three Big 12 losses have come to Baylor, Texas and Oklahoma State by an average of just eight points per game. With that being said, a loss is a loss and if Bill Snyder’s bunch can’t beat West Virginia this weekend, their postseason dreams are all but crushed.

Despite passing for just 16 yards, the Jayhawks held their own against Oklahoma last weekend, leading midway through the second quarter and pulling to within six points of the lead early in the fourth. Unfortunately for head coach Charlie Weis, Baylor comes to town this week. Can they hold the Bears under 70 points?

IOWA STATE Through their first five games, the Cyclones hadn’t lost a game by more than eight points. That changed in Waco, where Baylor scored more than 10 times as many points as Iowa State. No, that is not a misprint. Giving up 71 to the Bears was hardly a surprise, but the Cyclones offense was even worse, tallying just 174 total yards while turning the ball over three times.

them positive, and they do the same for me. I just continue to do what I can for them each game.”

Byndom figures to secure a job in the NFL after this season, but for now he remains focused on his time at Texas. The senior cornerback said the Longhorns’ biggest goal revolves around winning the rest of their games

this season, and he believes doing this allows each of his individual goals to take care of themselves.

“It’s all about the team for me first, and I think the biggest goal for us now is to win out,” Byndom said. “The closest goal is just to win this week. It’s all about the team for me. All of the individual goals will come later, and as

long as we’re winning games, my goals are fine.”

The senior cornerback remains dedicated to leading Texas to a Big 12 championship in his final opportunity to win the conference. The Longhorns’ defense must continue improving in order to achieve this, and no player figures to be more vital to this than Byndom.

15

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16

GAMES TO WATCH

16

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

RACHEL WENZLAFF DAILY TEXAN STAFF

No. 20 South Carolina vs. No. 5 Missouri Overall 5-2

Overall 7-0

Faurot Field, Columbia Saturday, 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN2

Coming off their second loss of the season against Tennessee, the Gamecocks have no choice but to pull off an upset if they want to keep their SEC title hopes alive. Quarterback Connor Shaw left last week’s game with a knee injury and there is no timetable for his return. Both teams will be playing with their backup quarterbacks -- South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson, who has seen plenty of action this year, and Missouri’s Maty Mauk, who will make his second start. Mauk will be hoping it goes something like his first, when he passed for 295 yards and a touchdown in a win over Florida.

No. 12 UCLA vs. No. 2 Oregon Overall 5-1

No. 10 Texas Tech vs. No. 17 Oklahoma Overall 7-0

Overall 7-0

Autzen Stadium, Eugene Saturday, 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN

On paper, Oregon has the clear advantage, but this season of college football has proved that paper can’t be trusted.

The Ducks have been virtually unbeatable and will need to keep it up to maintain hopes of winning a national championship. But the Bruins are looking to pull off an upset to erase memories of their loss against Stanford. UCLA’s offense has averaged 39.8 points per game and 500.2 yards, standard numbers by Oregon’s standard. The Ducks average 57.6 points and 643.1 yards per game and likely get star running back DeAnthony Thomas’s back this week. This could be a serious uphill battle for the Bruins.

Overall 6-1

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

TV: FOX

The Red Raiders have been crawling up in the rankings all season. Coming off a slow start against an unimpressive Kansas team and the lopsided loss against Texas still a stinging memory in the back of the Sooners’ minds, they are hungry for a victory, especially against a team from the Lone Star State. But the Sooners’ 9th-ranked defense has shown that it can have major slip-ups, which they can’t afford to have against Texas Tech, who boasts the second-most explosive passing offense in the nation. Oklahoma will have to keep its eyes to the skies if it wants to stop Tech’s freshman quarterback, Davis Webb. In a win over West Virginia last week, Webb broke the Red Raiders’ single-game freshman passing record with 462 passing yards -- in only his second start.

North Carolina St. vs. No. 3 Florida St. Overall 3-3

Overall 6-0

Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

TV: ABC/ESPN2

Last year NC State was in almost exactly the same situation it’s in now. The Seminoles were ranked No. 3 with an undefeated record, while the Wolfpack were the clear underdogs. After allowing Florida State to take a 16-0 halftime lead, NC State came back to score 17 unanswered points and secure the upset. They proved they could surpass expectations. Now the question is: can they do it again? The Seminoles won’t make it easy. Last week, Florida State proved they are the elite team in the ACC by taking down one of their toughest opponents of the season. Not only did they defeat Clemson, they did it on the road in “Death Valley” by 37 points.

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Alabama safety Sunseri out for rest of season with torn ACL

By Stefan Scrafield @stefanscrafield

Despite crushing Arkansas 52-0, undefeated and topranked Alabama suffered another major setback in the injury department last Saturday as junior Vinny Sunseri, the Tide’s starting strong safety, was injured covering a kickoff. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL and has been forced to have season-ending knee surgery as a result.

A leader in the middle of Alabama’s star-studded defense, Sunseri had registered 20 tackles and led the team with four pass breakups and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

Sunseri is the fifth member of the Crimson Tide secondary to be sidelined this season.

Safety Nick Perry suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in late September and starting free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was suspended two games for violating team policies. Freshman Eddie Jackson and redshirt sophomore Bradley Sylve have also been injured this year.

Miami avoids bowl ban The Hurricanes dodged

a bullet on Tuesday as the NCAA announced it will not impose any additional bowl bans on Miami, bringing the Nevin Shapiro scandal to a close.

As a result of “unprecedented” self-imposed sanctions, the NCAA elected not to levy any additional postseason ban on the Hurricanes, clearing the way for this year’s squad, currently undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the country, to make a run at a BCS bowl berth.

Miami did not come away completely unscathed. The NCAA took away nine total scholarships from the football team, three scholarships from the basketball team and placed the entire athletic program on three years probation. Several staff members from the Miami teams involved in the scandal were also punished, including former head basketball coach Frank Haith, who is now the head coach at Missouri. He was suspended five games.

Grambling State players end boycott The Grambling State football team returned to practice this week, after an almost

BLAZING SPEED

week-long boycott by the players that resulted in the team forfeiting its game against Jackson State last Saturday.

The players, who staged the boycott because of many issues including poor facilities, difficult travel conditions and personnel decisions, voted together on whether or not to end the hiatus and all agreed to return to the field together. The boycott gained national attention and shed light on the lack of funding for historically black colleges and universities around the country.

Aggies hoping Manziel will start Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin said he is “hopeful” that his starting quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will start in this weekend’s game against Vanderbilt.

Manziel injured his throwing shoulder in last week’s loss to Auburn and has been receiving treatment for the injury since. He has been wearing a sling in practice as a precautionary measure and will continue to be evaluated leading up to Saturday’s game.

Daje Johnson celebrates with John Harris and Duke Thomas after his gamechanging 85-yard punt return for a touchdown in Texas’ 36-20 win over Oklahoma earlier this month.

Elisabeth Dillon Daily Texan file photo

Alabama defensive back Vinnie Sunseri holds his knee after being injured on a kickoff against Arkansas, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sunseri is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Butch Dill Associated Press

18

HEISMAN WATCH

18

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

DREW LIEBERMAN DAILY TEXAN STAFF

Horns need to play like they did vs. OU

1. OREGON QB MARCUS MARIOTA (SO.) Last Week (W, 62-38 vs. Washington State): 23-for-32, 327 yards, 2 TD (67 rush yards, TD) Season: 123-for-197 (62.4%), 2,051 yards, 19 TD (493 rush yards, 9 TD)

By Ryan Haddox @The_Real_RH

Despite Winston’s spectacular performance against Clemson, Mariota remains the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Mariota has played flawlessly in guiding the Ducks to a 7-0 start and has them in prime position to win the Pac-12. Oregon hosts UCLA this weekend and travels to Stanford next week, both contests that will be difficult tests for Mariota and the Ducks. For Mariota to remain the Heisman favorite he will need to dominate both of these games, otherwise he will leave the door open for Winston or Petty to claim the top spot.

2. FLORIDA STATE QB JAMEIS WINSTON (FR.) Last Week (W, 51-14, at Clemson): 22-for-34, 444 yards, 3 TD, INT (7 rush yards, TD) Season: 112-for-157 (71.3%), 1,885 yards, 20 TD, 3 INT (137 yards, 3 TD)

The ‘Noles grabbed a tremendous victory by blowing out Clemson, allowing Winston to gain ground on Mariota. In his last two contests, Winston has scored nine touchdowns and set new careerhighs in passing yards with 393 and 444, respectively. Against NC State this weekend, he should be able to continue this trend before a showdown with No. 7 Miami next weekend. If Winston keeps this up, he could surpass Mariota as the Heisman favorite very soon.

4. TEXAS A&M QB JOHNNY MANZIEL (SO.) Last Week (L, 45-41, vs. Auburn): 28-for-38, 454 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT (48 rush yards, TD) Season: 159-for-217 (73.3%), 2,289 yards, 18 TD, 7 INT (486 rush yards, 6 TD)

Manziel’s inability to win last week’s contest for the Aggies may have been a result of one of his injuries or Auburn finally stepping up on defense. Regardless, Manziel’s sophomore campaign is impressive considering the that SEC defenses had at least nine months to gameplan for him and the constant criticism he received about his offseason activities. While that second loss may cost him a second Heisman, he is undoubtedly the most exciting player to watch in college football.

5. OREGON STATE QB SEAN MANNION (JR.) Last Week (W, 49-17, vs.

California): 35-for-45, 481 yards, 4 TD Season: 229-for-334 (68.6%), 2,992 yards, 29 TD, 3 INT

Yes, the Beavers lost to Eastern Washington in Week 1, but Mannion was nearly perfect in that performance. Since then, Oregon State has won six straight and currently Mannion leads the FBS in touchdown passes as well as in passing yards. Oregon State hosts Stanford this weekend and, if they pull the upset, the nation will be buzzing about Mannion. The win would also put them in great position to be 10-1 heading into the Nov. 29 showdown at Oregon that could decide the conference title.

3. BAYLOR QB BRYCE PETTY (JR.) Last Week (W, 71-7 vs. Iowa State): 23-for-31, 343 yards, 2 TD (6 rush yards, TD) Season: 102-for-144 (70.8%), 2,023 yards, 15 TD, INT (51 rush yards, 5 TD)

Baylor has the top offense in college football thus far, and the play under center has been a big reason why. The Bears are averaging 64.7 points per game and have been so dominant early in most games that Petty hasn’t had a chance to substantially pad his numbers. Baylor is the current Big 12 favorite but their schedule looks significantly harder after facing Kansas this weekend. If the Bears keep up their explosive offense in the second half of the season, Petty could grab Baylor’s second Heisman in three seasons.

Texas wins if…it does exactly what it did to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl two weeks ago. In fact, if the Longhorns do that every week, they’ll have a serious chance at running the table.

TCU will probably present the most formidable defense the Longhorns will face this season, but the loss of stud defensive end Devonte Fields to a season-ending foot surgery will make it a little easier. The offensive game plan thrown at the Sooners in Dallas would certainly do the trick, but running the football down the Horned Frogs’ throats will be more difficult than it was against a beleaguered Oklahoma defensive line.

Short passes to get Mike Davis, Kendall Sanders and Daje Johnson involved, along with a few well-timed deep shots should keep the TCU defense on its heels enough for the Longhorns to establish a running game.

If the Longhorns can get that rolling, they’ll be in good shape Saturday. Greg Robinson’s defense is facing TCU’s 109th-ranked offense, which has sputtered ever since starting quarterback Casey Pachall broke his arm the second week of the season. Trevone Boykin, who took over for Pachall when he de-enrolled midseason last year, and running

UNDERDOGS

continues from page 5 bad enough for a long time this season,” junior wide receiver Jordan Shipley said. “You have to take it the same whether people

backs B.J. Catalon and Waymon James will lead the charge offensive charge on the ground for the Frogs.

Keep Boykin in the pocket, stack the box, tackle well and shut down the one-dimensional TCU offense and the Longhorns should head back to Austin with a fourgame win streak.

Texas loses if…it reverts to pre-Oklahoma form. The Longhorns played a physical brand of football in Dallas for the first time in 2013, and the Longhorns will have to take that same game back to the Metroplex this week if they want to continue this little win streak they have suddenly found themselves on. On Thanksgiving night a year ago, TCU came to Austin and punched the Longhorns in the mouth for four quarters, eventually pulling out a sloppy 20-13 victory.

If the Longhorns get outmuscled again and allow TCU to ground and pound them to death, they’ll find themselves on the short side of the scoreboard yet again.

Boykin is completing 58 percent of his passes while throwing seven interceptions and five touchdown passes. The Horned Frogs are going to try to bully the Longhorns on the ground again. They have their own quarterback issues, but the Longhorns will lose if they don’t match the physicality in the trenches. are talking good about you or bad about you. You can’t really buy into any of that.

But we have gotten confidence within our team. We don’t need anybody outside telling us how good or bad we’re doing.”

19

TEXAN STAFF PICKS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013

y U

19

CHRISTIAN CORONA

GARRETT CALLAHAN

PETER SBLENDORIO

EVAN BERKOWITZ

CHRIS HUMMER

DAVID LEFFLER

DARREN MITCHELL

STEFAN SCRAFIELD

MATT WARDEN

6-4

8-2

7-3

4-6

7-3

6-4

6-4

8-2

6-4

Overall Record

39-21

39-21

34-26

34-26

37-23

36-24

41-19

42-18

36-24

Texas vs. TCU

Texas 21-13

Texas 24-17

Texas 24-10

Texas 28-20

Texas 24-17

Texas 27-17

Texas 20-14

Texas 34-20

TCU 28-24

Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma

Texas Tech

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Texas Tech

Oklahoma

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

West Virginia

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

Kansas State

West Virginia

Utah

USC

USC

USC

USC

Utah

USC

USC

USC

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon State

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Stanford

Missouri

South Carolina

South Carolina

Missouri

Missouri

Missouri

Missouri

Missouri

Missouri

Boise State

BYU

BYU

Boise State

BYU

BYU

BYU

BYU

BYU

Northwestern

Northwestern

Northwestern

Iowa

Northwestern

Northwestern

Iowa

Northwestern

Northwestern

Texas State

Texas State

Texas State

South Alabama

Texas State

Texas State

South Alabama

Texas State

Texas State

Last Week’s Record

West Virginia vs. Kansas State

Utah vs. USC

UCLA vs. Oregon

Stanford vs. Oregon St.

South Carolina vs. Missouri

Boise State vs. BYU

Northwestern vs. Iowa

South Alabama vs. Texas State

20

S:9.75”

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