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Texas Football: How the Longhorns can stop Will Grier

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 01: Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers warms up before their game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bank of America Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 01: Will Grier #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers warms up before their game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bank of America Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys pulls his way into the endzone with a 40-yard catch and run against defensive back Kobe Boyce #38 of the Texas Longhornson in the first quarter October 27, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 38-35. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys pulls his way into the endzone with a 40-yard catch and run against defensive back Kobe Boyce #38 of the Texas Longhornson in the first quarter October 27, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 38-35. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Shake up the coverage schemes

A common theme here for the Texas football defense to beat Grier and the Mountaineers is finding opportune ways to force turnovers. Mixing up coverage schemes in a creative fashion is a specialty of defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy found a way to completely out-scheme Orlando in the first half last week, but adjustments were made in the second half.

Orlando is sure to be motivated to do whatever he can to have a bounce back week for this entire side of the ball. It’s difficult to have Oklahoma State and West Virginia as opponents in back-to-back weeks. But, if there’s one defensive coordinator in the Big 12 that’s able to handle that kind of challenge, it’s Orlando.

The responsibility for executing in coverage better is going to fall on the more experienced defensive backs. But, Orlando does have to be quicker to respond and make adjustments before it’s too late. Mixing up the schemes can be a way to turn the tables on the West Virginia coaching staff. If Grier is thrown off early amidst the hostile atmosphere at DKR, Texas has an early leg up.

When this Texas football defense can’t make an opponent one dimensional and force some turnovers, you see what happens. Oklahoma State was an exhibit of what happens when everything goes wrong in the first half for this defense. Taking away the West Virginia ground game would be the perfect way for the Horns to get the edge here.

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