By the Numbers | Post-West Virginia

– CJ Vogel

It wasn’t pretty, but the Longhorns improved to 4-1 on the season with a big road victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers. So let’s dive into some numbers and analytics of what made the win happen.

Play Action Success

Texas this season has found its bread and butter through play action. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger currently ranks 4th in the NCAA for completing 75.8% of his passes on play action passes.

Ehlinger also ranks 7th among quarterbacks with an NFL passer rating of 140.3.

Jalen Hurts (OU) – 158.3

Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) – 155.4

Charlie Brewer (Baylor) – 153.7

Joe Burrow (LSU) –152.1

Tyler Huntley (Utah) –147.4

Justin Herbert (Oregon) – 146.8

Sam Ehlinger (Texas) – 140.3

Justin Fields (Ohio State) – 136.0

Some good names in that group to say the least. Continued success in the play action department will keep the Longhorns’ offense afloat.

Real Deal Roschon

Let’s face it, Roschon Johnson is a darn good running back and he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Roschon vs. WVU

21 carries

121 yards

5.8 yards per carry

Roschon in previous 3 games

27 carries

121 yards

4.48 yards per carry

In just one game, Johnson eclipsed the production of his previous three outings and did so in a game where Texas desperately needed a boost on offense. Johnson added a catch out of the backfield for 10 yards, just adding to his yards per touch average.

D(efense)’Shawn Jamison

Corny subhead for this one but stick with me lol.

There were some ups and downs to Jamison’s game against WVU this Saturday. Obviously, the two interceptions, including the incredible one handed snag that landed on ESPN’s Top Ten, were plays Texas fans have been dying to see from the defensive back group.

The outing was good enough to land Jamison on PFF’s Big 12 Team of the Week.

Lastly, we have the Big 12 Team of the Week on the defensive side! pic.twitter.com/QBCWNtpkuv — PFF College (@PFF_College) October 8, 2019

However everything wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Houston Lamar product.

PFF graded Jamison’s tackling at a 28.8, crediting him with two missed tackles as well. While the performance was impressive, keep in mind there is still room for improvement.

Wrap Up!

This was one of the biggest gripes following the game for many Texas fans on Twitter.

LaTech – 14 missed tackles

LSU – 12 missed tackles

Rice – 3 missed tackles

Ok State – 27 missed tackles

WVU – 12 missed tackles

Texas rescinded back to its mean in terms of missed tackles against the Mountaineers, however there were several key plays where a missed tackle by a Longhorn defender resulted in a massive gain. Most notably was the missed tackle on a big hit attempt by Chris Brown in the first half.

Brown ended up leading the team with three missed tackles, followed by D’Shawn Jamison and Joseph Ossai with two each.

Winning the One on One

In last week’s One on One, I mentioned what I believed to be a key matchup of Devin Duvernay vs. Hakeem Bailey.

Duvernay was targeted just one time when covered by Bailey, however that one target resulted in a 36 yard reception. Not bad.

3rd Down, Best Down

Texas currently ranks 2nd in the nation in third down conversion percentage.

Air Force – 27/45 (.600) Texas – 33/58 (.569) Ohio State – 30/53 (.566) Oregon State – 30/54 (.556) Wake Forest – 49/90 (544)

Third down conversions, especially those of longer distances are incredibly demoralizing for opposing defenses, and Texas is good at doing just that. The first drive against WVU saw Texas convert on four third-downs, all of which being eight yards or longer.

Notes | Milroe, Hall and Williams

– Super K

A few notes here worth passing along on 2021 prospects that may be at this weekend’s game.

***Jalen Milroe mentioned that he will be at the Cotton Bowl this week. I’ve actually been meaning to make a few notes about how he looked against Katy last week.

I was thoroughly impressed. It’s early, but he looks like he’s going to be a stud for Texas.

Milroe being in Dallas for the game isn’t a surprise but it’s a nice confirmation. He’s your lead recruiter in this 2021 class and Texas needs to continue to improve talent as they work to get back to a national championship run.

***In the latter part of the summer I spoke with 2021 WR, Agiye Hall (Seffner, FL). Hall is a 5-star WR from Armwood, one of the top high school programs in Florida.

He’s big. He’s fast. He’s a weapon.

There is a chance he and his friend, Mario Williams (Plant City), who is also from the Tampa area will make it for the Red River Rivalry.

Mario is a dangerous player as well. Both are fast but Mario is a smaller more sudden player with speed. A friend of mine saw him live and said he’s basically Hollywood Brown.

Both Hall and Williams want to play together. In fact, I’ve been told they want to commit on the same day, as well.

Both are high on Oklahoma. In fact, OU probably leads for both. Texas has been working to make a run at them. The Texas staff knows, these are the kind of guys that make an offense hum and you certainly don’t want to have to play against them.

The Texas staff has made some in-roads and the two were planning on making it in this weekend for the game.

I spoke with a source in the Florida area who is close to Hall and I was told that we will have final confirmation by tomorrow as to whether they will be able to make it in.

If they do make it in, it’s obviously a great chance to show the two athletes that Texas is a wide receiver friendly offense.

One on One’s | Texas vs. Oklahoma

– CJ Vogel

It’s Red River Rivalry week. Players and fans on both sides are aware of the implications of this game, so let’s dive into which individual matchups will be the biggest factors in Saturday’s game.

With K already hitting on Keondre Coburn and Creed Humphrey earlier this week, I’ll leave them exempt from the list. If you’d like to re-read his post, here it is.

Matchup One: OU QB Jalen Hurts vs. LB Juwan Mitchell

Jalen Hurts probably isn’t as shifty as a Kyler Murray, but the Longhorns will still need to be aware of the threat that is Hurts’ legs. Just as Texas has done in the past with Malik Jefferson on Baker Mayfield and Gary Johnson on Kyler Murray, I would expect Juwan Mitchell to be the guy to step into the “spy” role on Jalen Hurts. In just five games as a Sooner, Hurts as rushed for 499 yards and 7 touchdowns, so to say the Longhorns need to keep him in check is an understatement.

In Tom Herman’s press conference Monday, he said he believed 30% of Hurts’ runs were designed, while the remaining 70% came as a result of a “busted plays or things he makes right,” which just adds to the importance of keeping a close eye on him. Mitchell is not as fast as Johnson, but players and coaches on this Texas team have raved about his football instincts so far this season. I’ve also noted Mitchell is one of Texas’ best tacklers, which provides all the more confidence that he will be able to bring Hurts down in space.

Matchup Two: OU WR vs. Texas DB

This is the biggest concern in my book. It’s no secret just how talented this Oklahoma wide receivers corps is. In fact, it’s so deep, freshman five star WR Trejan Bridges was moved to nickel momentarily just to get him on the field. CeeDee Lamb, Charleston Rambo and Jadon Haselwood are all guys likely to hear their names called at some point in the NFL Draft in the next couple of years so it’s fair to say the youngins in the Texas secondary will have their hands full.

The Texas secondary has been tested already this season with the talented group from LSU and Tylan Wallace, FBS’ leading WR. There’s been ups and downs to say the least. However, it looks as though Texas has found some corners they like in D’Shawn Jamison and Anthony Cook following the WVU win. If the ‘Cowboy’ front is deployed, which it’s very likely that it is, Texas will need a lot of production from the safeties group. Montrell Estelle, Chris Brown, BJ Foster, Demarvion Overshown and Brandon Jones will all need to be on top of their game, and most importantly, in front of the OU WRs.

Know Your Opponent | Week Seven – Oklahoma

– D.T.

Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0)

Head Coach – Lincoln Riley (3rd Year)

Offensive Coordinator – Bill Bedenbaugh (7th Year)/Cale Gundy (5th Year)

Defensive Coordinator – Alex Grinch (1st Year)

Special Teams Coordinator – Jay Boulware (7th Year)

On Offense …

QB – #1 Jalen Hurts* (75.2%, 1,546 passing yds, 14 TD, 2INT/ 499 rush yds, 7 rushing TD)

RB – #4 Tre Sermon (345 yds, 7.7ypc, 4TD)/#29 Rhamondre Stevenson (319 yds, 11.0, 5TD)

HB – #27 Jeremiah Hall (8rec/92yds/2TD)

– While LSU QB Joe Burrow may be a better passer, Jalen Hurts will be by far the most accomplished QB that the Longhorns will face this season. Hurts is battle-tested, having started 33 career games and made 3 consecutive trips to the CFP Playoffs (and 3 National Championship appearances) heading into the matchup this weekend. He is currently at the top of the list when it comes to early Heisman talk.

– RB Kennedy Brooks is officially listed as questionable for the game on Saturday after taking a hit to his knee against Kansas. He started multiple games this season and last. Rhamondre Stevenson is a player that the Sooners and Longhorns went head-to-head for in the JUCO ranks on the recruiting trail. Stevenson has shown some explosive ability this season. Do NOT underestimate Jeremiah Hall and the impact that he is capable of having in this ball game.

WR – #2 Cee Dee Lamb* (18rec/439yds/7TD)

WR – #14 Charleston Rambo (14rec/323yds/4TD)

WR – #83 Nick Basquine/#8 Trejan Bridges/#18 Austin Stogner

WR/TE – #80 Grant Calcaterra (5rec/79yds/0TD)

– Cee Dee Lamb is likely a 1st-Round pick in next spring’s draft, and he will be the second big-time Wide Receiver that the Longhorns will face in the Big XII this season. He is the star of a loaded group of pass-catchers that the Longhorns will have their hands full with trying to contain in the Cotton Bowl. Charleston Rambo has emerged as a talented player in his own right and serves as the clear #2 option for Jalen Hurts right now.

– Grant Calcaterra has been quiet this season, but he showed up big-time against the Longhorns last season and you can bet that the Sooners will be looking to get him more involved this weekend. He could be a big problem one-on-one against the Longhorn Safeties in coverage. Jadon Haselwood and Trejan Bridges are 5-star true freshmen that will see the field often.

LT – #73 RJ Proctor

LG – #54 Marquis Hayes

C – #56 Creed Humphrey*

RG – #52 Tyrese Robinson

RT – #59 Adrian Ealy

– The Center, Creed Humphrey is one of the best in nation. He is the strongest player on the team and has started every game of his career for Oklahoma. Their Guards, Tyrese Robinson and Marquis Hayes are very promising players but new.

– Adrian Ealy will be returning after missing the Kansas game with an injury. RJ Proctor is a graduate transfer from Virginia that Texas showed interest in during the spring. He serves as the team’s 6th Lineman and is expected to be filling in for the injured Erik Swenson.

On Defense …

DE – #7 Ronnie Perkins (14 tackles, 4 TFLs, 2 sacks)

DT – #90 Neville Gallimore* (11 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sacks)

DE – #96 Laron Stokes Jr. (5 tackles, 2TFLs)/#31 Jalen Redmond (10 tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 sacks)

– Ronnie Perkins is a player that the Longhorns recruited heavily coming out of high school in St. Louis. He has lived up to his billing thus far as a True Sophomore. Jalen Redmond has been banged up, but he can be presence as a pass-rusher on passing downs.

– Neville Gallimore is Oklahoma’s best interior Defensive Lineman. If Texas struggles to handle him (I’m referring primarily to the right side of the line), the Longhorns could find themselves struggling to keep pace in a game that is expected to provide some offensive fireworks.

LB – #23 DaShaun White (12 tackles, 1.5TFL, 1 sack)

LB – #9 Kenneth Murray* (37 tackles, 4TFL, 1.5TFLs)

LB – #40 Jon-Michael Terry (13 tackles, 2.5TFLs, 0.5 sacks)

LB – #34 David Ugwoegbu (6 tackles, 1TFL)

– Kenneth Murray is the best player on the defense and a tackling machine. He’s the Quarterback of their defense (MIKE) and if he’s not the first guy to the ball on a majority of the plays then that means that Texas is having a good day.

– DaShaun White is slightly undersized, but makes up for his lack of height and girth with impressive speed to chase plays down from his Weakside Linebacker position.

CB – #11 Parnell Motley (13 tackles, 5PD)

S – #10 Patrick Fields (18 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PD)

S – #32 Delarrin Turner-Yell (25 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD)

CB – #6 Tre Brown (12 tackles, 1 INT)/#4 Jaden Davis (16 tackles, 1 INT)

NB – #44 Brendan Radley-Hiles (13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT)

– Parnell Motley has been around seemingly forever. He’s doing a much better job of seeing the ball this season than he has in previous years. Tre Brown is the other starting Corner and he is the speedster of the Secondary. True Freshman Jaden Davis will rotate in for either of the starters and has been one of the better Freshman performers during the early part of this season. He is undersized at 5’9. NickelBack Brendan Radley-Hiles is also undersized at 5’9, but is sturdy and plays a lot like former Longhorn Quandre Diggs.

– The Safeties, Turner-Yell and Fields are solid players that have experience after playing some significant snaps last season. Turner-Yell has had a bit of a breakout season.

Special Teams …

K – #47 Gabe Brkic (3-3)

P – #46 Reeves Mundchau (46.6 yd avg)

*** OU recently suspended the Kicker that started the season for them, Calum Sutherland. Brkic is a redshirt freshman that is 3-3 so far this season and perfect on extra points. Mundchau is one of the better punters in the conference.

Overall Thoughts …

*** Oklahoma is undoubtedly one of the best offenses in the nation and Head Coach Lincoln Riley seems to be unable to miss when it comes to selecting signal-callers to lead his attacks. Jalen Hurts is a little bit different from the previous two Heisman winners that the Sooners have had at QB. He provides a physical presence in the running game and a threat when escaping the pocket that has taken the Sooner running game to a new level.

*** Oklahoma will attack with counters, QB powers, jet sweeps, swing passes, screen passes …. basically, any and every way that they possibly can. The Sooners also love to go no-huddle, which has given the Longhorns some major issues defensively this season.

*** Defensively, the Sooner faithful is excited about new Defensive Coordinator Alex Grinch and his “Speed Defense” philosophy that he brought with him from Ohio State. The Sooner defense will be put to test for the first time this weekend.

*** I have no worries about Texas slowing down the Oklahoma running game, despite the gaudy numbers that they have put up on the ground to this point. I worry about Texas’ ability to get pressure on Jalen Hurts. That leads me to fear the worst for the Texas Defensive Backs, who I am afraid will be asked to stick with some elite offensive talent on the other side of the ball for too long. I worry that this will lead to big plays or to big penalties. Either way the Sooner offense is moving the ball downfield.

*** Offensively, I am concerned about Texas on third downs. I am concerned about Texas getting behind the sticks, which will force Sam Ehlinger to take more risks than he usually does.

*** This is a rivalry game where you can usually throw most statistics out of the window. I think everyone to a man would agree that they expect for Texas to show up ready to play. Texas is expected to be physical and hit the Sooners in the mouth. The questions arise when you start to think about Texas’ main weakness (Pass Coverage) being the Sooners’ main strength (Creative Pass Concepts, Explosive Plays).

*** We’ve seen Texas go toe-to-toe with a team that is more talented than this Oklahoma team that they will face. We’ve seen Texas get ripped apart by what is currently the #1 offense in college football. Oklahoma is a similar type of offensive machine and Texas is more banged up than they were when they faced the Tigers. The Sooner defense isn’t better than the LSU defense was. In the end, I believe that turnovers at crucial points and untimely penalties will be what gives either team the edge in this ball game.

Prediction:

CJ (5-0) Oklahoma – 41 Texas – 35

Will (5-0) Oklahoma – 35 Texas – 31

Darius (4-1) Oklahoma – 38 Texas – 31

Red River | Visitors of Note

– Super K

***Still haven’t received word on the 2021 Florida WRs, Agiye Hall and Mario Williams.

***A number of 2020 commits will be in for the game. I won’t bother listing them but it’s your usual suspects: Jackson, Card, Dorbah, Crawford, etc.

***Again, Eaton is probably the most notable commit attending because of the press OU has made in his recruitment.

***I mentioned 2020 RB, Kevontre Bradford (Lancaster) will be at the game. Another 2020 weapon though that will be at the game and continues to be a guy to keep an eye on is 2020 ATH (WR/DB), Dajon Harrison. Harrison is someone Texas likes, especially as a slot. The staff isn’t just giving out invitations so I think this is further proof that Harrison is a guy to watch.

***2021 5-star OT, Savion Byrd will be at the game. He’s an elite guy and there’s a good chance his recruitment could come down to the two teams playing at the Cotton Bowl this weekend.

***2021 4-star OT, Donovan Jackson says he will also be in town. I think Milroe and co have been doing some work here.

***Brockermeyer’s, not surprisingly, will be in town but I don’t sense OU is a player here.

***A guy who is considering both Texas and OU is 5-star running back, Camar Wheaton (Lakeview Centennial). He is expected to be in attendance.

***The two talented 2021 twin wide receivers, Blaine and Bryson Green (Allen), are also expected to be there.

This is another situation where it could very well come down to Texas and OU.

***Lastly, I’ll mention that 4-star DE/DT, Shemar Turner (DeSoto) is expected to be in town.

There are obviously additional visitors but I think the above are the key visitors given their status and schools they are considering.