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Texas vs Oklahoma: 5 Players Who Must Step Up for Longhorns Football

By Tyler Brett

Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates with the golden hat trophy after a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners during Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong celebrates with the golden hat trophy after a victory against the Oklahoma Sooners during Red River rivalry at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Texas beat Oklahoma 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) sacks University of Texas at El Paso Miners quarterback Kavika Johnson (7) in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) sacks University of Texas at El Paso Miners quarterback Kavika Johnson (7) in the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /

The Texas run defense has actually looked better so far in 2016 but they will face their biggest challenge of the season on Saturday. Oklahoma boasts an excellent pair of RBs in Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine that will test the Longhorn defensive front. Texas DT Poona Ford has to respond.

Through four games, the Texas run defense ranks No. 3 in the Big 12, allowing 153.8 yards per game. That’s a dramatic improvement from their 2015 effort, when they ranked No. 8 in the conference against the run, allowing 219.2 yards per game. This season, Oklahoma is averaging 5.1 yards per rush and rank No. 3 in the Big 12 in rushing, averaging just under 200 yards per game on the ground.

Ford has been a key part of this defensive improvement. From his interior defensive position, he’s held strong and closed down running lanes, recording 16 tackles this season, including 2.5 tackles for loss. His ability to consume blockers and create chaos up front helps free up the linebackers to make plays sideline to sideline.

He will have to put together his strongest game yet on Saturday. Oklahoma will lean more heavily on their running game with quarterback Baker Mayfield nursing an injury. Shutting down the interior running lanes and forcing 3rd and longs will be a major key in Texas’ upset bid.

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