Texas Football: 4 reasons why Longhorns could dominate OU in Red River

Texas’ skill talent can overwhelm the Oklahoma defense

A major matchup advantage in Red River for the Longhorns is at the skill positions. Oklahoma hasn’t faced a team with nearly as many weapons at the skill positions on offense as the Longhorns possess this season.

Texas has unmatched talent and depth in the receiving corps by any other team in the Big 12 this fall. Junior boundary receiver Adonai Mitchell, junior field receiver Xavier Worthy, redshirt senior slot receiver Jordan Whittington, and talented true freshman Johntay Cook II highlight a Texas wide receiver room that made many plays in this team’s biggest games this season.

Potentially the biggest mismatch the Longhorns have at the skill positions on offense is junior tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. The Big 12 leader among tight ends in receiving yards this season can beat you from anywhere he lines up pre-snap. You can spin him outside, flex him out, or line him up in the slot to beat opposing defenses.

Texas got good news on Oct. 5 when Sark said in his press conference that Sanders will be “good to go” against the Sooners this weekend.

Lastly, Texas has a running back room that hasn’t missed a step recently after losing junior Bijan Robinson and senior Roschon Johnson to the NFL Draft last offseason. Redshirt sophomore Jonathon Brooks rushed for a career-high 217 yards and two rushing scores in Texas’ 26-point win over Kansas last weekend.

Brooks has looked like the nation’s best running back in the last three weeks. He leads the Power Five in offensive grade, rushing yards, and yards after contact in the last three games.

Texas also has backs like true freshman CJ Baxter Jr. and redshirt senior Keilan Robinson that can beat you in various ways. Baxter looks better and better this fall as he gets closer to 100 percent after suffering a couple of injuries early this season. He rushed for a career-high 70 yards in the win over Kansas on Sep. 30.

Robinson is a versatile weapon that Sark likes to motion around pre-snap and get involved in the passing game and the ground game. He was big in the Longhorns’ shutout 49-0 win over the Sooners last season, with over 50 total yards and one touchdown.

While Oklahoma’s defense is improved this season, I don’t think they have the resources to keep up with all the skill weapons redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers can get the ball to. That’s not to mention how well Ewers has played against Power Five competition this season.