3 pleasant surprises for Texas in non-conference play

Secondary depth and proficiency

The best position group for the Longhorns on the defensive side of the ball during non-conference play was the secondary. Texas ranks eighth nationally in the FBS in passing defense. In two out of the season's first four games, the Longhorns allowed under 100 yards in dominant wins at home over the Colorado State Rams and UL-Monroe Warhawks.

The success for Texas in the secondary this season starts with the effectiveness of starting cornerbacks Jahdae Barron and Malik Muhammad one-on-one back in pass coverage this season. Barron and Muhammad have done a great job locking down opposing top wideouts that Texas has faced so far this season, not allowing a single touchdown in pass coverage while doing a nice job keeping receivers from getting over the top on them for the deep ball passing game.

Barron and Muhammad are two of the three highest graded cornerbacks in the SEC.

Texas also ranks in the top 20 in the FBS in defending explosive passing plays (per CFB Stats).

This has been a massive turnaround for a Texas secondary that ranked in the bottom 20 in the FBS last season in pass defense. Texas is much more sound in the secondary in pass coverage, and the safeties are playing at a really high level, led by senior Andrew Mukuba and junior Michael Taaffe.

Texas has also done a nice job forcing turnovers from the secondary this season. The Longhorns have picked off seven passes this season, five of which were intercepted by defensive backs and the other two by linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and edge rusher Ethan Burke.

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