Game Six Snapshot: Texas heads to Big D to face No. 12 Oklahoma

By Steve Habel/Senior Editor

AUSTIN, Texas — Here are a few of the things to watch for as the Longhorns (3-2 overall, 2-0 in Big 12 play) heads to Dallas to square off against longtime rival and 12^th-ranked Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 in Big 12) at 2:30 p.m. CDT Saturday at the venerable Cotton Bowl.

NOTES, QUOTES, PLAYERS TO WATCH

• The week of practice and the status of sophomore Shane Buechele sprained ankle will determine who will start at quarterback for Texas [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]this week against Oklahoma. True freshman San Ehlinger, who was named the starter an hour before the Kansas State game and responded by passing for 380 yards and rushing for a team-high 107 yards on 20 carries, will not back down for the challenge or wilt on the one of the biggest stages in college football. Ehlinger’s performance against Kansas State was just the third time in Texas football history that a quarterback has passed for 300 yards and rushed for 100 yards in the same game.

• Redshirt freshman Reggie Hemphill-Mapps continues to be a standout for the Longhorns, both on the practice field and on game day. He led the Longhorns with 12 catches for 121 yards against Kansas State and continues to improve as he becomes more comfortable with the speed of the college game and in his role with the team.

• Linebacker Malik Jefferson is continuing his impressive junior campaign in which he has become a defensive force. He leads the team in tackles (43), solo tackles (29), quarterback hurries (3) and in tackles for a loss (3).

SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads the series 61-44-5, but Oklahoma owns an 18-13-2 advantage in the past 33 meetings. Oklahoma and Texas are tied in the post-World War II (1946-2016) series, 34-34-3. Since 1936, the first year of the Associated Press poll, at least one of the teams has come into the game ranked 69 times, including each of the last 18 meetings. The series, which began in 1900, has been played in Dallas since 1912 and at the site of the Texas State Fair since 1929. Since 1900, the only years Texas and Oklahoma have not played were 1918, ’20, ’21 and 1924-28.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I mean, Sam made a lot of mistakes. There is no doubt he also played really well and is tough and physical. But I don’t know what good it does me to tell (Oklahoma defensive coordinator) Mike Stoops and (OU head coach) Lincoln Riley what I feel about my quarterback situation.” — Texas coach Tom Herman when asked about freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger’s play against Kansas State and if he would start against Oklahoma.

GAME BREAKDOWN

Scouting the running game: The Longhorns had 166 yards rushing but 107 of those came from quarterback San Ehlinger, with the other 59 split between three running backs. Yes, the UT offense is working behind a patchwork line because of injuries, but finding s consistent running game from its backs is paramount.

Scouting the passing game: Ehlinger threw for 380 yards and a touchdown against Kansas State and the Longhorns’ wide receiver corps continues to be one of the best units on the team. “The wide receiver group, on paper, is by far the most talented and the deepest on our offense,” Herman said. “We challenged them, and they had five different guys grade out at championship level. So that was encouraging to see.” Texas will get better at both the run and the pass as its rebuilt offensive line gains confidence and Herman and his staff develop more trust in the players.

Scouting the run defense: Texas continued to dominate the line of scrimmage, but for the second time in five games had trouble containing a run-first quarterback. Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is one of the nation’s best at making yardage with his feet, especially when a play breaks down, so the Longhorns will have their work cut out for them this week.

Scouting the pass defense: The Longhorns had three sacks against Kansas State and now have 12 for the season. Texas got an interception from DeShon Elliott, who now has five in the past three games, but still is having trouble with some basic concept of coverages and getting into the right place at the right time. “You can still be aggressive and intercept passes but also be sound in your coverage,” Herman said. “Right now, there have been some issues at times and some different coverages.”

Scouting the special teams: Texas junior kicker Joshua Rowland missed two field goals — including one that would have ended the Kansas State game in regulation — and has converted just 4 of 9 on the year after two misses and a blocked kick in the Longhorns’ first two games. Junior punter Michael Dickson averaged 53.3 yards on three punts in the victory against the Wildcats and continues to be a weapon.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

• Left tackle Connor Williams: Texas announced Monday that Williams, who suffered a left knee injury late in the first half against USC, is a week from a real evaluation on the rehab of his sprained MCL, a torn meniscus and sprained PCL. It still appears that Williams could return at some point during conference play if his recovery goes well. There is a debate whether coming back at less than 100 percent would hurt his draft stock, but right now Texas just needs healthy and experienced bodies in the line.

• Nose tackle Poona Ford: He had just one tackle against Kansas State but dominated the middle of the defensive line for the fifth straight game, spearheading the Longhorns’ interior defense. A quiet leader, Ford is loud with example of excellence and determination. He looks better every game.

• Linebacker Malik Jefferson: Jefferson started quickly, leading the Longhorns in tackles over the first two games, and was tied for second in the stat against Iowa State. Jefferson is like a blur when he zeros in on a ballcarrier or quarterback, with sublime closing speed that has the pro scout salivating at his prospects.

ROSTER REPORT

• Texas will be without Williams (knee), guard Patrick Hudson (knee) against Oklahoma, while Buechele (ankle), offensive lineman Zach Shackelford (ankle) and defensive tackle Chris Nelson (ankle) will be evaluated in practice this week.

• Freshman tight end Reese Leitao, who was suspended for Texas’ first two games after reaching a plea deal on drug charges stemming from a February arrest, could see his first action of the season against Oklahoma but it’s becoming more likely that Leitao will be redshirted.

• Senior wide receiver Armanti Foreman did not see any action on offense last week but injury was not a factor in that decision, according to Herman. “He’s got to practice better and play better,” Herman said of Foreman.

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