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Texas Football vs. Tulsa: 5 Week 2 storylines to watch

By Andrew Miller

Texas Football (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
Texas Football (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 1: Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns looks during a play review against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Johnson was ejected from the game for a targeting penalty. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – SEPTEMBER 1: Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns looks during a play review against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. Johnson was ejected from the game for a targeting penalty. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. Complete linebacking corps

One of the strongest parts of this defense could be the linebacking corps if it all comes together soon. It was very split apart due to some targeting penalties dating all the way back to the Texas Bowl victory over the Mizzou Tigers. All three projected starting linebackers during the preseason should be set to go in Week 2.

Junior Malcolm Roach is the starting b-linebacker and can become a force in rushing the passer. Roach didn’t do much in Week 1 with just two total tackles. Yet, his breakout game should be coming pretty soon given his previous body of work. Roach needs to get a sack or two in the Tulsa and USC games to get some momentum rolling.

Senior Anthony Wheeler was suspended in the first half of the Maryland game due to the targeting call in the second half against Mizzou. Fellow senior linebacker Gary Johnson was suspended against Maryland in the first half. Yet, Johnson isn’t set to miss any time against Tulsa.

This will be the first look at the full set of starting linebackers playing together for the Horns. Soon enough, the rest of the linebackers will all be back together too with players like junior Jeffrey McCulloch and freshman Ayodele Adeoye coming back to full health. It’s at least an exciting time for this level of the defense.

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