By Colby Gordon
Special Contributor
Back in action?
All signs point towards wide receiver Collin Johnson returning for this week.
Johnson, who has missed several games with a hamstring injury and is thought of as a possible high-round draft pick in next spring’s NFL draft, provides [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]the Texas passing game with another dynamic option alongside Devin Duvernay.
“The defense has to pick their poison,” Duvernay said. “If they double-cover somebody, the other will have a one-on-one matchup and we feel good in that position. … (Johnson) is moving around and looking good.”
Even without Johnson, the Texas passing game still has put up big numbers, something quarterback Sam Ehlinger said speaks to the depth the Longhorns have at receiver.
“The comfortability I have with the whole receiver room is extremely high,” Ehlinger said. “They’ve done a great job of understanding what it takes to be successful in their position following Collin and Devin. There’s been no drop off because of the way we worked over the summer.”
Seasoned veteran
While Oklahoma will start a new quarterback in the Red River Rivalry for the third year in a row, Ehlinger is playing in the game for the third time.
He credits his success and improvement at the position to the personal relationship he has with Texas coach Tom Herman, who noted he thinks of Ehlinger as a son.
“It means the world to me,” Ehlinger said. “The trials and tribulations that we’ve been through the past couple of years together, on and off the field … (Herman) says the way we build relationships in this program is time, and I think that’s a testament to exactly what he says. It means a lot to me because he’s always had confidence in me. That’s helped me play with confidence and understand that the opinion of the coaches and my teammates are the only ones that matter.”
Who needs respect?
Texas is a 10-point underdog according to Las Vegas sportsbooks heading into Saturday, which some players noted is a bit of a slight.
“It is what it is and everyone’s entitled to their own opinion,” Jones said. “We’ve been underdogs a lot in my career and that’s always been motivation for me.”
Others, though, said what oddsmakers think of a game doesn’t matter.
“I haven’t really paid that much attention to it,” Duvernay said. “We just go out there and play our game and prove ourselves.”
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