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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 19, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Dylan Haines (14) reacts after being called for a targeting foul against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Cal beat Texas 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Austin, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Dylan Haines (14) reacts after being called for a targeting foul against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Cal beat Texas 45-44. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /

Through four games, the Texas secondary has been dreadful. They rank dead last in the Big 12 in defensive passer rating and are the only team to not have an interception this season. That must change against Oklahoma (who can sling it) and that change has to start with Dylan Haines.

Haines has been criticized throughout his career due to his lack of athleticism, particularly when compared to some of the younger safeties Texas has recruited in recent years. However, the coaching staff remains committed to Haines due in large part to his leadership and playmaking ability. Last season, Haines led the team with five interceptions.

This year, though, Haines has struggled. He has zero interceptions (as does the entire secondary) and he has routinely been caught out of position on big plays down the field. There seem to be constant breakdowns in the coverage, due to confusion, miscommunication, or both. As the leader of the secondary, the responsibility for fixing that has to fall on Haines.

Oklahoma, if Mayfield is healthy, is going to attack the Horns down the field in the passing game. Texas has to prove they can slow the aerial attack down and that starts with Dylan Haines.

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