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Texas Football: 3 reasons Longhorns deserve favor vs. LSU

By Andrew Miller

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Linebacker Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field before the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the UCF Knights at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Knights 40-32. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Linebacker Devin White #40 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field before the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the UCF Knights at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Tigers defeated the Knights 40-32. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 22: Shawn Robinson #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs is tackled short of the goal line by Caden Sterns #7 of the Texas Longhorns and Brandon Jones #19 in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – SEPTEMBER 22: Shawn Robinson #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs is tackled short of the goal line by Caden Sterns #7 of the Texas Longhorns and Brandon Jones #19 in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. Texas could have the edge with speed

What the defense for Texas football showed us in the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia is that the speed can hang with even the top teams from the SEC. Texas showed that it could hang with the very best and most athletic offenses in the country. The recruiting job that head Texas football coach Tom Herman did the past few cycles is largely to thank for that.

Georgia was anticipated to overwhelm the Horns at the point of attack, but that was definitely not what transpired on New Year’s Day. The ground game for the Dawgs couldn’t get much of anything going and sophomore running back D’Andre Swift was shut down for much of the game. That was thanks to what defensive coordinator Todd Orlando was able to pull off throughout the game.

The adjustments that Orlando makes against unsuspecting opponents on the fly is something special that few assistants in his position on the coaching staff can replicate. Orlando’s in-game adjustments against a traditionally one-dimensional LSU offense can feed into what he likes to do. He’ll also have plenty of speed to work with at all levels of his defense.

While the Horns do lose a lot in the front seven, the returning talent is no joke. Anticipated starters in the front seven such as senior linebacker Malcolm Roach, sophomore defensive end Ta’Quon Graham, and former JUCO transfer linebacker Caleb Johnson can bring a ton of speed and physicality to the table. This spells success for the Horns in this case against the Tigers.

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