Habe on the Horns – By Steve Habel/Associate Editor
Each game in a football season is a microcosm of the 12-game grind that defines the success of a team. There are always ups and downs, and the teams that win games do so with a combination of talent, coaching and execution carried out better than their opponent.
Momentum and confidence are also thrown into the mix, sometimes pushing teams to play better than the sum of their parts at the most opportune times. When everything comes together, it’s magic – and winning football – no matter how well the opposition plays.
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The Longhorns (4-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12) return home from a two-game road trip riding the wave of their best – and most complete – effort of the season, a definitive 34-13 win against Texas Tech.
A key to Texas’ resurgence has been the play of its offensive line, a group that’s finally developing some continuity and moxie after being decimated by injuries and suspensions. The O-line had its best overall game against Texas Tech.
“They played really well,” Texas offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said. “The lead guys did a great job, and the line was charged up and got a really nice push.”
The Horns will be catching the 24th-ranked Mountaineers at a good time. West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 in the Big 12) lost at home to TCU last week on a last-second field goal that ended its four-game win streak and are a little bit dinged up and worn down from the past month of demanding games.
West Virginia has playmakers all over the field in wide receivers Kevin White and Mario Alford, quarterback Clint Trickett and a full stable of running backs.
“They’re definitely powerful, one of the top offenses in the country,” Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “We’ve got to be ready. They’ve got players everywhere. They’ve got two receivers that are really good, their running backs are really good, their quarterback makes good decisions. We got to get after them. We got to come out early and be ready to play.”
At times this season, Texas’ defense has made its reputation as a bend-but-don’t-break unit. Time and again, the Longhorns have stiffened when the opponent reaches the red zone, forcing field goal attempts or turnovers rather than giving up touchdowns. Texas ranked 20th in FBS in red zone defense and has put together nine goal-line stands, holding the opponent to a field goal or no points at all after they broke within the 10 yard-line.
The Longhorns’ key to beating West Virginia will be the continued improvement of their offense.
If quarterback Tyrone Swoopes can enjoy the kind of time he had to throw the ball last week against Texas Tech, he can pick apart the Mountaineer defense. If his pocket breaks down, Swoopes has to have the confidence to make plays with his legs and to pass while off schedule to a receiver or back that breaks open late in their pattern.
It will take a mighty effort for the Longhorns to pull off the home upset against West Virginia but the feeling here is that Texas has turned an important corner in the season and has the confidence to win Saturday. The game will likely be decided via a defensive play or a something special from the kicking game (maybe a kickoff return TD?), both aspects that the Longhorns are overdue to provide.
Just sayin’, ya know?
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