5 Things You Need to Know About the Texas Longhorns

Kentucky got back in the win column last Saturday with a dominant 48-6 victory over Murray State. Needless to say, the competition level will look a bit different this time around. The #3 Texas Longhorns likely just need to hold serve against the ‘Cats in order to lock in a spot in the College Football Playoff. Texas fell at home to Georgia 30-15 back on October 19th, but has several impressive road wins along the way. They dominated Michigan at The Big House, won at Oklahoma 34-3 in the Red River Rivalry, and have taken care of business at Vanderbilt and Arkansas. The Longhorns will finish their regular season next Saturday at Texas A&M.

It is obviously going to be an uphill battle for the ‘Cats in Austin. Bowl eligibility hangs in the balance, but the unrest around the program is likely the bigger issue at this point. Coach Stoops remains frustrated with NIL, there has been a revolving door at Quarterback, and fans have continued to voice their frustrations throughout a very disappointing season. Big Blue Nation is beyond moral victories, but a strong showing at Texas would at least feel better than getting dominated before hosting the rival Louisville Cardinals to mercifully end the season.

As always, we have all of your pregame needs right here on Kentucky Sports Radio dot com for the 3:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) kickoff on ABC between the Kentucky Wildcats (4-6, 1-6) and the #3 Texas Longhorns (9-1, 5-1). If you haven’t already, you have to dive into Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report. That is your in-depth, football-nerd preview. For those in search of a more surface level look at what to expect on Saturday afternoon, you are in the right place. Let’s dive on in to five things you need to know about the Texas Longhorns.

Longhorns Have Serious Star Power at Quarterback

Quinn Ewers had to miss a couple games in late September due to injury. The Texas Longhorns rolled Louisiana Monroe (51-3) and Mississippi State (35-13) without their QB1. However, when he has been available, Ewers has been one of the best players in college football. The redshirt junior quarterback is 169-247 (68.4%) for 1,898 yards and 21 touchdowns against six interceptions. His mixture of explosiveness and accuracy is very impressive. With 10 combined interceptions and fumbles in eight games ball security has proven to be a bit of an issue though. Kentucky will likely need a turnover or two in order to have a shot in this one.

Behind Ewers, the Longhorns feature the nation’s most famous backup quarterback in Arch Manning. Next up in the Manning quarterback lineage, Arch seamlessly stepped into his two games as the starter throwing for 583 yards and four touchdowns. His 26-31 performance for 325 yards and three total touchdowns against Mississippi State was nearly perfect. He has played in six games total this season tossing for 939 yards and nine touchdowns while picking up three more on the ground. Manning is more than ready to take the reigns over from Ewers when he heads to the National Football League.

Depth Among Pass Catchers

The Texas Longhorns lost two outstanding wide receivers to the National Football League following last season. Xavier Worthy was a first round selection while Adonai Mitchell went in round two. Coach Steve Sarkisian and company turned to the transfer portal in order to fill those gaps.

Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond has emerged as the Longhorns’ big play threat. The junior is averaging 16.1 yards per catch with an impressive 32.6% explosive rate. He has 30 catches for 483 yards and five touchdowns. Bond also hit pay dirt on the ground once. Meanwhile, Houston transfer Matthew Golden has a team-high eight receiving touchdowns including five in the last three games alone. The junior wideout has 29 catches for 417 yards overall. Bond and Golden may not be Worthy and Mitchell, but they’ve been good enough for Texas to remain a national championship contender.

However, despite finding success in the transfer portal, it has been veteran tight end Gunnar Helm leading the Texas Longhorns’ passing attack. The massive 6’5″ 250 pound target has reeled in 37 receptions for 493 which are both team-leading numbers. Helm has found the end zone three times as well. In total, the Longhorns feature six pass catchers with at least 17 receptions and will look to share the wealth against the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. Slowing down the passing attack will not be an easy task for Kentucky Defensive Coordinator Brad White and company.

Running Game Leaves Something to be Desired

Injuries rocked the Texas Longhorns running back room before the season started. As a result, it has been tougher sledding to find success on the ground. Texas ranks 60th in yards per rush at 5.25 with an explosive run rate of just 12.6%. This is an offense that leans on Quinn Ewers and the passing game to move the football. However, while neither of the Longhorns’ primary running backs have eclipsed 500 yards on the ground, they do help to factor into the passing game.

Quintrevion Wisner has collected 468 yards on 98 carriers with two trips to the end zone on the ground. Through the air though he has 25 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. Similarly, Jaydon Blue has 90 carries and 459 yards on the ground compared to 30 catches and 263 receiving yards. Blue, a junior, has eight total touchdowns for the Longhorns. There ability to catch the ball out of the backfield has allowed Texas to mask some of their issues with the traditional run game.

Texas Dominates on the Defensive Side of the Ball

You could argue that this is one of the best defenses that the Texas Longhorns have put together in 15+ years. They are allowing just 16.2 points per game in Southeastern Conference play. Only Georgia was able to get to 30 points while seven of 10 opponents overall on the season have been held under 14 points. It will likely take a defensive and/or special teams touchdown for the Wildcats to stay in this game because scoring points with the offense will be very hard to come by.

The Longhorns rank first nationally in a trio of defensive categories including yards per play allowed (3.95), adjusted EPA/play (-0.27), and yards allowed per drop back (4.56). Teams haven’t had much more success on the ground averaging just a tick over four yards per carry which is 11th nationally. Texas is stingy on third down and in the red zone as well. This truly is a unit without a clear weakness.

Defense Led by Havoc Creation Up Front

The Big Blue Wall is going to have their hands full in Austin on Saturday afternoon. They will be facing as good of a defensive line as there is in college football. The Texas Longhorns can produce havoc with the best of them and rotate fresh legs in that will keep coming at you. As a unit, the defense has produced a 36.4% pressure rate which has led to forcing turnovers as well. Texas has produced 15 interceptions and nine forced fumbles so far this season. Protecting the football, and staying upright in the backfield, will be critical for the ‘Cats to find any semblance of success.

It all starts with the Longhorns’ defensive ends. Trey Moore and Barryn Sorrell have a special combination of size and speed. Sorrell leads the way with 34 pressures for Texas. Meanwhile, up the middle a pair of veteran behemoths create havoc of their own. Vernon Broughton and Alfred Collins have combined for 28 more pressures from the defensive tackle position. That starting front four is enough to dominate a game. However, Louisville transfer Jermayne Lole and true freshman Colin Simmons can sub in for a change of pace without the Longhorns missing a beat. Simmons leads the team in sacks with six and is second with 9.5 tackles for loss.