Texas Football: Road map to beating Oklahoma State for Longhorns

Ride the ground game

Texas football itself is allowing less than four yards per carry this year. But, the average that the Horns are posting themselves this fall is just four yards per carry flat. A diluting number of rushing yards from sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger and junior Shane Buechele of late did impact that number of rushing yards per carry.

However, we all know now where Texas can turn to on offense to maximize the efficiency of the ground game. True freshman running back Keaontay Ingram is the most productive running back by far for the Horns. Ingram could exploit a thinning Oklahoma State defensive line that was slipping since the loss of defensive tackle Darrion Daniels for the season.

The shiftiness of Ingram gives the Horns a unique aspect on the ground that allows it to keep the offense balanced and keep a steady pace of rushing yards flowing in. Meanwhile, the versatility of senior running back Tre Watson keeps opposing defenses honest with his ability to pass block, pick up chunk yardage, and use his hands in the receiving game.

If the Horns control the clock against the Pokes, it could wear down its defense and make things easier for this team to actually close things out in the second half. Texas had one of its better showings on the ground this year when facing the Baylor Bears in Week 7. Keep up that momentum and a victory is much easier to attain in Week 9.