5 Things Charlie Strong Must Do to Save His Job with Texas Football
By Tyler Brett
At the beginning of the season, people looked to the talent-rich but experience-light secondary as a strength of this team. Now, they’re clearly the team’s biggest liability. Fixing the secondary is key to any Texas turnaround.
Through five games, the Texas pass defense is one of the worst in college football. They rank No. 120 nationally in pass defense, No. 124 in opponent completion rate (66 percent), and No. 127 in opponent pass efficiency. They are allowing 15 yards per completion and have surrendered 25 completions of at least 20 yards.
Against Oklahoma, they allowed touchdown passes of 71, 47, and 42 yards. Strong understands that fixing this secondary is a top priority. On the Big 12 conference call this week, Strong was asked what one area he would work on with this defense. His response: “Without a doubt, deep balls.”
He could also add in defending opponents’ No. 1 receiver. Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook torched Texas with 10 receptions for 232 yards and three touchdowns, but he’s not the first to do this. James Washington of Oklahoma State had three receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown before he got knocked out of the game. Cal standout Chad Hansen put up 12 receptions for 196 and two touchdowns.
Right now, Texas simply can’t cover anyone. Whether it’s a change in preparation, personnel, or playcalling, something has to change. If they can’t tighten up the pass defense, they will not win many games in the wide open Big 12.