Before I begin, I want to start with content from last week’s edition. I focused primarily on the disappointing the Texas defense performance against Oklahoma State. When I looked ahead to West Virginia, I stated we were going to have the size advantage and our secondary was going to want to make a statement after getting embarrassed the week before.
Forget all of that!
Our defense may have honestly even looked worse.
The losses of starting corner Davante Davis, starting defensive end Breckyn Hager, and backup defensive end Marqez Bimage definitely did not help our efforts.
To make things even worse, the Longhorns have to try and end their two-game skid this weekend against Texas Tech, under the lights.
It is very difficult to try and describe the atmosphere of a night game in Lubbock. Their fans are rowdy to say the least. Aside from their fans, the Red Raiders boast the number 3 passing attack in the nation.
Well, isn’t that just great.
On top of how poorly our secondary has been playing, we have to deal with an offense that week in and week out has torn defenses apart. I’m praying Kris Boyd and Caden Sterns can show that they are elite defensive backs. Both corners have struggled immensely in the last two games.
Texas Tech junior wide receiver Antoine Wesley boasts all the tools of an elite receiver. At 6-5, 200 lbs, Wesley has been able to rack up 1176 yards and 7 touchdowns. Wesley possesses elite speed and agility to burn defenders after the catch. It is going to be important for the Longhorn’s to wrap up and swarm to the ball carrier.
I am trying very hard to remain optimistic that Todd Orlando will turn this defense around, but the lack of schematic changes made during the last two weeks makes it very difficult. Let’s hope he can figure something out before we fall to 6-4.
Once again, our offense was able to put up points and keep us in the game until the very end. Sam Ehlinger put up great numbers and stayed clean in the turnover column. Ehlinger racked up over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in total offense.
In addition, Lil’Jordan Humphrey bounced back with 143 yards and one touchdown on the day. In previous articles, I have been begging Texas to stick with freshman running back Keaontay Ingram, however this weekend Tre Watson was definitely the more effective of the two runners.
It is going to be interesting to see who Herman decides to go with this Saturday. The offense has been stellar thus far in the season and I expect them to continue to execute efficiently and effectively this weekend.
Expect a lot of points and a lot of yards down in Lubbock this weekend. This game is going to big in determining how we finish the year.
Texas Tech is going to put up big numbers against us. Their offense is just that good. This game has the feeling that whoever has the ball last is going to win. It is also pretty remarkable to take a look back at what the Longhorns have accomplished this season already.
Herman has been able win in big games and effectively keep up with opposing Big 12 offenses. That is just not something the Longhorns have been able to in the past couple seasons.
While I am of course disappointed in these last two weeks, I am very proud of what this Texas team has done and look forward to seeing them closing out the season on a high note.