Analyzing 3 difference-makers that can help Texas football win the Big 12
One of the main goals at hand for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Texas football program this fall will be to win the Big 12 or at least make an appearance in the conference championship game. Texas has more than enough talent on hand to compete for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game this season.
This is still a big ask for Sark and the Longhorns coming off such a disappointing result last fall. Texas finished up last season with a record of 5-7 (3-6 Big 12), which resulted in this team falling short of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016.
Yet, there was a point in time last fall when the Longhorns had a shot to push for a spot in the Big 12 Championship. A couple of games into the Big 12 slate, Texas was ranked in the top 25 and was coming off a dominant win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Constant fourth-quarter meltdowns caused the Longhorns to fall back in the Big 12 standings, though, and eventually undergo a disastrous six-game losing streak.
Difference-makers that could lead Texas football to a Big 12 Title in 2022
That’s largely what caused another dramatic personnel shift on the roster and even some turnover on the coaching staff this offseason. Sark and the Longhorns are really looking to right the ship in 2022 amid another offseason of promising change.
With that in mind, here’s a look at an analysis of three-difference makers for the Longhorns that could help this team push for a Big 12 Championship in 2022.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB
A key defensive leader that the Longhorns need to make some real strides this fall is the returning super senior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Texas needs to show ample improvement at the linebacker position this fall, and that starts with Overshown setting the tone for this level of the defense.
Overshown had some issues last fall adjusting to the new scheme under co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Pete Kwiatkowski. And that was in large part due to Overshown having difficulties adjusting to a role he was asked to fill that isn’t a natural fit for him.
In the last couple of seasons, Overshown was asked to essentially be a hybrid middle linebacker along this defensive front, which is not where his potential is maximized. At worst, the smart way to utilize Overshown would be to let him play as a hybrid will/buck linebacker that would let him get after the quarterback as a pass rusher and blow up plays in the backfield more often.
Let Overshown work out in space more often and take advantage of his insane physical gifts and underrated pass-rushing ability. It’s worth noting that Overshown led all eligible Longhorns players last season in pass-rushing productivity and win percentage.
If Kwiatkowski lets Overshown use more of his natural gifts to advantage, then this former converted safety will be able to become the playmaker he was always intended to be on this side of the ball. Overshown needs to be a tone-setter that can swing momentum in the blink of an eye. Texas missed that from him last season.
And from what we’re hearing regarding Overshown’s progress in Year 2 in this defensive scheme under Kwiatkowski in the spring and summer, he’s primed for a bounce-back campaign in 2022.