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Texas Football: 10 reasons the Longhorns can still win the Big 12 in 2018

By Andrew Miller

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 06: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 06: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns during the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 13: Charlie Brewer #12 of the Baylor Bears is sacked by Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 13: Charlie Brewer #12 of the Baylor Bears is sacked by Gary Johnson #33 of the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

4. Front seven piecing it all together

Last year, a single aspect that Texas football could rely on for either side of the ball was the play of the front seven. The run defense was so stout that even the best of rushing teams in the Big 12 couldn’t muster much of anything against them. We can’t take away from how good this group has still been this fall.

Now, the front seven isn’t holding up as consistently as it did in 2017. Texas allowed one of its highest rushing yard total of the season against Oklahoma State, but that was largely due to the smart scheming of head coach Mike Gundy. The run defense started to really lock down on the Pokes in the second half.

Most occasions this season saw the front seven fly all over the field and shut down opposing ground games through and through. Some second half letdowns from the offense entailed most of the reason for any faltering of the run stopping this year. Often, Texas allows less than 3.5 yards per carry to the opposition this year. The Oklahoma schools skewed that stat on the season a bit for the Horns.

Texas is getting some great play out of unexpected sources, including senior defensive end Charles Omenihu and defensive tackle Chris Nelson. Omenihu is also stepping it up in the pass rush since he has seven sacks on the season now. Texas is getting the right guys in the front seven to step up at the right time.

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