Texas Football: 3 majors concerns for Longhorns vs. OU in Red River

Dillon Gabriel running the ball

Texas has done pretty well against dual-threat quarterbacks this season. The Longhorns’ defense held Alabama dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe to just 44 rushing yards on 15 attempts with no rushing scores in Week 2.

Texas found similar success against capable running quarterbacks to open Big 12 play in the last two weeks in wins against Kansas and the Baylor Bears.

However, super senior Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel is a different type of dual-threat that Pete Kwiatkowski and the Longhorns have prepared for in the lead-up to this matchup against the Sooners. While Gabriel is a capable runner with the football, he is a better passing quarterback than the Longhorns faced in the prior two games.

Gabriel was much more willing to tuck the ball and run in the last two games in Big 12 play than he was during a weaker non-conference schedule. He has over 50 rushing yards and three rushing scores in the last two games.

A tough assignment for the Texas defense this weekend is facing the quarterback with the best passer rating in the Big 12 who can also occupy the backside linebacker with the running threat Gabriel poses.