Texas Football: 4 overreactions from Longhorns’ tough loss to OU

Jaylan Ford’s Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year campaign is done

Red River is easily senior linebacker Jaylan Ford’s worst game of the season so far. Oklahoma targeted Ford in the ground and passing game last weekend.

Ford missed some key tackles against the Sooners, including one that could’ve saved a long 44-yard run from Gabriel on a key drive late in the fourth quarter. Luckily, Oklahoma missed a 45-yard field goal later in that drive after the long Gabriel run play set them up on the plus side of the field.

Gabriel displayed his quickness, misdirecting Ford’s tackle attempt with a nice juke to get in the open field.

That was one of two missed tackles (tying a season-high) for Ford against Oklahoma. Gabriel and the Sooners also exploited Ford in the short and intermediate passing game. He was targeted a team-high 10 times, resulting in eight catches for 87 receiving yards. They got Ford over the middle a few times and in the flats.

It is concerning that Ford was exploited for 59 yards after the catch in this game, a career-high for him in pass coverage.

Ford’s struggles against the Sooners last weekend resulted in the lowest-graded start of his collegiate career. He was also Texas’ lowest-graded defender in the loss to Oklahoma.

This game is a setback for the leader of Texas’ defensive front, Ford. The preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year has a lot to work on heading into the Longhorns’ bye this week.