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Texas Football: 5 thoughts heading into Big 12 Title Game

By Andrew Miller

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Members of the Silver Spurs escort Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo XV to the stadium before the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 17: Members of the Silver Spurs escort Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo XV to the stadium before the game against the Iowa State Cyclones at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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LAWRENCE, KANSAS – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Dom Williams #25 of the Kansas Jayhawks tries to make his way around defensive back Caden Sterns #7 of the Texas Longhorns in second quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS – NOVEMBER 23: Running back Dom Williams #25 of the Kansas Jayhawks tries to make his way around defensive back Caden Sterns #7 of the Texas Longhorns in second quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

2. Texas defense rolling at the right time

Let’s go ahead and get this initial point out of the way. Iowa State and Kansas don’t have the best offenses in the Big 12 and we get that. Kansas might have the worst passing game in the Big 12 and Iowa State’s best offensive weapon was suspended for the first half of its matchup against the Horns.

The Texas football defense wasn’t as good this year as it was last. Some key early departures that hurt the Horns on that side of the ball made this an expectation heading into the season. The worst stretch for the Texas defense came against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, West Virginia Mountaineers, and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas responded well to those three down games by holding Iowa State and Kansas to a combined 27 points in two victories.

Those early departures didn’t mean the future on this side of the ball was not very bright. Texas has a ton of young talent that is going to contribute for a long time. There’s some key true freshman in the mix like linebacker Joseph Ossai, safety Caden Sterns, and safety B.J. Foster that showed out this year. Ossai didn’t get his first shot until last week against Kansas, but he made the most of it.

Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando did a great job adjusting to the attack of the Oklahoma offense for three quarters in the first meeting. He seemed to run out of changes to make to throw off Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley and Murray in the fourth quarter. If he can find the right solution to hold the Oklahoma offense back as much as it can again, Texas has a good chance to win this game.

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