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

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FORT WORTH, TX – NOVEMBER 04: Reggie Hemphill-Mapps (17) of the Texas Longhorns is tackled on the punt return by Lucas Gravelle (49) of the TCU Horned Frogs and Sammy Douglas (35) of the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

1. TCU Horned Frogs

The defense for the Horned Frogs in 2017 was again another anomaly in the Big 12. In a conference that is so known for the high-scoring offenses and shootout games that go back and forth the entire way, TCU takes on a different persona. For some reason TCU just knows how to absolutely maximize the ability of all the personnel on defense each and every season.

No one should ever question how TCU head coach Gary Patterson is able to piece together his defenses. It was effective in 2017 and should be again this year. TCU allowed well under one rushing touchdown per game last year and just 3.0 yards per carry. Moreover, in a pass happy conference, the Frogs giving up just over 1.5 passing touchdowns per game is very impressive.

TCU held Texas to its lowest point total of the 2017 campaign. Sandwiched between a pair of wins over Baylor and Kansas, Texas found itself not even putting up double digits on the scoreboard in a 24-7 loss to TCU. Texas needs to hope that the offense is rolling by the time TCU comes to town at the end of September.

Next. Ranking the difficulty of every UT football opponent in 2018. dark

A potential Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honoree in redshirt senior defensive end Ben Banogu will lead the TCU defense along with redshirt senior linebacker Ty Summers. TCU is experienced again in the front seven which means some tough matchups for Big 12 running backs in 2018.

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