There is a first time for everything. Mack Brown has been the coach at Texas since 1998 and for the first time, his team will enter conference play with a losing record. This Saturday the urgency meter should be turned up to 11. The Longhorns need a win. After watching practice this week, it looks like Coach Brown and the Texas staff will have this team ready to play. This could be the biggest game of the season. [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]
This Saturday, the Longhorns have more to prove than just their ability to beat the Wildcats. A win against Kansas State could be the shift in momentum Texas needs in order to turn around the season.
Let’s take a look at the game ahead….
Wildcats Will Run The Ball
Mack Brown knows what is coming. The fans knows what is coming. Hopefully the defense is ready to stop what we all know is coming. “Kansas State will run the option,” Brown said Monday. “I told our defense this morning, if they didn’t run it, they will put it in.”
BYU backup quarterback Daniel Sams said: “Texas knows what we do as a team. They know we are running the quarterback run game. … I’m sure they are prepared more against what we do than what happened against BYU.”
Over the past 2 games, Texas has given up 822 yards were on the ground. Chances are we will see our fair share of runs and read options for most of the night. Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder always has a solid game plan for games against Texas and I am sure he is well aware of the recent struggles.
The Best Defense is a Good Offense
With David Ash listed a questionable, Case McCoy could once again get the start. Besides the defense, this is the area of most concern for many Horns fans.
Hopefully, David Ash is cleared to practice today. Texas needs him under center. David Ash makes this team explosive and does a better job of keeping the defense off the field. In the game against Ole Miss, the Longhorns went 3-and-out in 5 of their 7 2nd half possessions. A tired defense trying to defend the run in the 2nd half is recipe for disaster.
The best defense is a good offense. Texas needs to convert on 3rd downs, be less predictable on offense and keep their defense off the field. David Ash gives Texas the best chance for success in these areas.
If Case McCoy gets the start, expect to see plenty of runs, screens and swing passes to the wide receivers. You can also expect to see the Wildcats hyper-focused of these plays.
Keys for the Wildcats
Longhorns fans should expect to see a steady dose of Daniel Sams and John Hubert.
Quarterback Daniel Sams’ ability to run the ball is the exact talent the Wildcats need to test Texas’ ability to defend the read-option. Sams is averaging 7.5 yards per carry and has scored a rushing touchdown in all three of the Wildcats’ games.
Running Back John Hubert played a large role in the Wildcats’ 2012 win over Texas, scoring three of K-State’s six touchdowns. He will once again be called upon to take on the Longhorns.
Hubert picked up 168 total offensive yards and a touchdown against Massachusetts and will likely work with Sams to test the Longhorns’ ability to stop the read-option. The duo has the ability to be the biggest difference-maker for Kansas State this weekend.
Keys for The Longhorns
For the Longhorns to pull off a victory on Saturday night the defense is going to have to step up. They will be tested early and often, especially on the ground. Opposing coaches know that the strength of the Texas defense is the secondary. They also know the weakness is against the run. Expect the Wildcats to try and exploit the same holes in the Texas defense that BYU and Ole Miss exposed.
Another key factor is the performance of the Longhorns’ running backs. This is especially true if David Ash can’t play. There was a lot of talk during preseason about Johnathan Gray and expectations were high. If Ash can’t play, it may take a breakout game from Gray to help push Texas to a victory. Gray is listed as the Longhorns starter, but the trio of Gray, Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron will likely be called upon to make up for the offense’s lack of ability in the passing game.
Kansas State’s defensive line is the least experienced unit of the Wildcats defense. The defense has given up 171 yards on the ground in the first three games of the season. The Texas running backs will once again be a key component in the game plan if Ash is not ready to play.
The Time is Now
At Big 12 media days, K-State linebacker Tre Walker said Texas laid down against the Wildcats in 2012. It’s time for the Longhorns to stand up and show the doubters what Texas football is all about.
When: Saturday, September 21, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
TV: ABC
Austin Radio: KVET 98.1/1300
SiriusXM Satellite Radio: XM 117; Sirius 202; Internet 969; Spanish 970
The Last Meeting: December 1, 2012, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas
The Last Outcome: No. 7/7 Kansas State 42, No. 21/23 Texas 24
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