Texas Football: 5 overreactions from close Tulsa win

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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) /

4. This is the best linebacking corps in the Big 12

Texas finally had its full linebacking corps back together for the first time since the first half of the Texas Bowl win over the Mizzou Tigers to cap the 2017 campaign. Now, the dynamic senior duo at linebacker between Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler could shine through in Week 2. It surely paid dividends for this defense.

One major concern for the Texas defense was the loss of Malik Jefferson in this linebacking corps because of the leadership, speed, and tackling ability he brought each and every week. Now, Jefferson is trying to prove his worth as a rookie former third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. Texas was going to have to make up for his departure somehow.

Yet, Wheeler and Johnson look as if the loss of Jefferson won’t hold them back too much. The lacking piece of this linebacking corps so far has been junior b-linebacker Malcolm Roach. Although, Roach was much better in Week 2 than he was in Week 1. Roach was second on the team in total tackles with six.

Johnson had some plays with an incredible speed to pursue the ball carrier. We all knew that Johnson had elite range and a very high ceiling because of his physical tools. Some of the plays he made in the second half held things together for the Texas defense when it started to falter in the passing game a bit.

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