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AUSTIN – It’s hard for defenses to slow down the wide-open spread offenses that populate the Big 12 Conference.

No coach -- not even coaches who’ve proven themselves as great defensive minds like Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops and TCU’s Gary Patterson -- has figured how to slow these offenses down for extended periods of time. Big 12 defenses are going to give up yards and points, which is why coaches across the league have turned their attention to other means by which to measure defensive success.

The biggest indicator that a defense is getting over on their offensive counterparts is by forcing turnovers. In six of the last eight years the team that’s led the Big 12 in turnover margin has won the conference outright or tied for the league crown, proof that getting even one extra possession for your offense could make all the difference between a win and a loss.

With that said, as 21st-ranked Texas sorts through the rubble of a defensive collapse last weekend in a 50-43 loss to California that saw the Longhorns give up 507 total yards, the lack of turnovers being forced is something the Longhorns have to get fixed in a hurry.

Texas has faced 217 plays on the season but only once -- a fumble forced by Davante Davis and recovered by DeShon Elliott against UTEP -- have the Longhorn stoppers ended any of those plays with a takeaway. The Longhorns are minus-3 in turnover margin on the year, a mark currently tied for fifth in the conference and tied for 100th nationally.

The Notre Dame game was the first time under Charlie Strong where the Longhorns won a game despite losing the turnover battle, showing how critical the defense getting the ball back for the offense is to the team’s success under the current regime (Texas is 1-10 under Strong when losing the turnover margin).

A pair of interceptions, one each by Shane Buechele and Tyrone Swoopes, against Cal led to 14 points for the Golden Bears. In a one-touchdown loss the defense being unable to return the favor and cover for the few mistakes the offense accrued made the difference.

Texas put in new practice drills prior to the start of the season to better teach how to strip the ball and make plays on the ball in the passing game. The Longhorns are emphasizing takeaways, but if Texas (2-1) wants to knock off Oklahoma State (2-1) in the Big 12 opener next weekend in Stillwater and get back on the winning track then forcing turnovers has to be a huge point of emphasis going forward.

“It has to be,” Strong said. “We don't get the ball turned over (against Cal) and they get two from us and those two right there led to scores. You have to be able to get turnovers. You can't miss tackles and you can't give up big plays, but [forcing] turnovers is critical.”

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