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Texas Football: Ranking the 5 best defenses the Longhorns face in 2018

By Andrew Miller

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Ty Summers (42) of the TCU Horned Frogs sacks Shane Buechele (7) of the Texas Longhorns in the second half of a football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 04: Ty Summers (42) of the TCU Horned Frogs sacks Shane Buechele (7) of the Texas Longhorns in the second half of a football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled while scrambling for yards by defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike #50, as linebacker Willie Harvey #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones watches on in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – SEPTEMBER 28: Quarterback Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns is tackled while scrambling for yards by defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike #50, as linebacker Willie Harvey #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones watches on in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

3. Iowa State Cyclones

In the biggest defensive battle that the Horns were involved in last year, the “good guys” came out on top by the final score of 17-7. Iowa State also held TCU, West Virginia, Kansas State, and Texas Tech to no more than 20 points. That defense held up enough to also defeat the two best teams in the Big 12 last year in Oklahoma and TCU.

This Iowa State defense is just laden with players that bring a ton of starting experience. The bulk of the starters for the Clones this year are entering either their third, fourth, or fifth year with in their career. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has the right formula set to have another great defense in the Big 12 in 2018.

You could argue that the Clones had the third best defense in the Big 12 last season. A good portion of that production on the defensive side of the ball from 2017 will be back this fall. With the departure of standout linebacker Joel Lanning, there’s a leadership void that needs to be filled in a hurry. Two redshirt seniors in cornerback Brian Peavy and linebacker Willie Harvey can help pick up the pace in Lanning’s absence.

We are likely looking at another low scoring affair between Texas and Iowa State this year. Both teams return solid defenses and do look to get better on offense. Yet, both of these squads are led by the defenses without a doubt. Iowa State will be tough for the Horns again.

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