Why The Texas Longhorns Defense Will Return to Form Against Texas Tech

The next Texas Longhorns football game is an entire week away, but it is hard not to look forward to such a big matchup. It is also worth mentioning that an off week, after such a disappointing loss, does little to easy my eagerness to see the Longhorns back on the field.

The game against Texas Tech is absolutely a must win. I know … it feels like there have been a few of those this year, and there have. However, THIS game is THE biggest game of the season. [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]Especially if the Longhorns plan on making good on the preseason hype and winning the Big 12 title as many (including myself) predicted.

For Texas to come away with a victory on Thanksgiving Day, their defense will have to return to the same level they played at during the 6 game winning streak. They need to come up big.

After a 38-13 loss to Oklahoma State, the honeymoon is over with Greg Robinson. Quarterback Clint Chelf gashed his defense for 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Chelf’s performance may not have been the 296-yard performance by Taysom Hill that got Manny Diaz fired. It did, however, prove that adding Robinson to this team did not immediately make it a top-10 program. That is not to say the Longhorns won’t get there …  just that they aren’t there yet.

Luckily for Robinson, Texas’ Thanksgiving Day game comes against a porous Red Raider offensive line and a not-so-mobile quarterback to cover its mistakes. Zach Shelton from The Bleacher Report says that not only is Greg Robinson not afraid of Kingsbury’s offense, he should see a great opportunity for his embattled group to bounce back.

The good news for Robinson and his defense is that Texas Tech does not have a mobile quarterback in Baker Mayfield and also sports one of the most porous offensive lines in the conference.

The Red Raiders allow 2.2 sacks per game, which is just seventh in the Big 12. During their current four-game losing streak, they have upped that number to three per game, translating to seven interceptions.

Given Mayfield’s lack of burst and Texas’ ability to break into the backfield, Robinson can afford to spend more time focusing on Tech’s downfield passing attack.

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