Texas Football: 3 ways Longhorns can beat upset minded Oklahoma State
By Shane Black
2. Defense must stop Justice Hill
In an offense that is comprised of many young talents, junior running back Justice Hill sets the tempo for the Pokes.
Hill is in the conversation as the best back in the Big 12 and his play this year has showed it. He is averaging 98 yards per game on 6.7 yards per carry with seven touchdowns. Hill has gone for over 100 yards on the ground in four of Oklahoma State’s seven games this season. The Texas football defense must key in on him.
In two career games against Texas, Hill has rushed for 135 and 117 yards respectively. He is a smaller back but his vision and quickness allow him to hits holes right as they open. Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando must game plan around stopping Hill.
The Cowboys quarterback Taylor Cornelius has shown the proclivity to turn the ball over. Texas should load the box in order to stop Hill and force Cornelius to test the Longhorns dynamic secondary. Once Hill gets comfortable in a game, he is tough to stop. Expect Oklahoma State to feed him the ball early and often to try and set a tone.
The Texas rush defense ranks 31st in the nation, but the Pokes rush offense sits at 36th in the country. Something must give this Saturday, and the first few series should be huge for both Hill and the Texas front seven.