Inside Texas Roundtable: No. 21 Texas vs UTSA

No. 21 Texas hosts UTSA on Saturday at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. It’s the first time in program history that Texas will face the Roadrunners, led by former UT assistant Jeff Traylor. With the quarterback situation, Texas comes into Saturday’s game with a few questions despite being almost a two-touchdown favorite.

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How does the Inside Texas staff see the game shaking out? Answers in the Roundtable.

1. What do you expect to see from Texas-UTSA on Saturday night?

Eric Nahlin: I think we’re going to see two very eager teams take the field on Saturday night. Texas will look to build off the Alabama game, and the fans may look to prove the energy in the seats last Saturday is the new normal. You know Jeff Traylor will have his team energized and they’ll feed off the environment as well. Overall, I expect to see a deeper and more talented Texas team wear down UTSA on both sides of the ball.

Joe Cook:  I’m not expecting any sort of letdown. It being a night game helps, and so too does the aspect of the current team wanting to show that the Alabama game was no one-time thing. UTSA is a game opponent, but they have their flaws and are not the same dangerous squad that won the C-USA last year. I think the defense responds with another strong showing against a struggling Roadrunner O-line and the offense does enough to check boxes.

Justin Wells: I fully expect UTSA to be ready and hungry. They’ll fight even if it gets out of hand, but Texas’ talent at each position just might be too much for the Roadrunners in 2022. Be thankful this game wasn’t last season.

Ian Boyd: A hard fought game in which Texas’ talent advantages and improvements on the offensive line and on defense give them margin for error they haven’t had in years past.

Bobby Burton: UTSA will put the game on the shoulders of QB Frank Harris and his receivers and stopping the run on defense. The Horns’ ability or inability to counterpunch those aspects will likely prove the difference in the game.

Paul Wadlington: I expect to see two teams trying to overcome some limiting injuries on offense, hoping their defense and some good game planning will compensate. Texas has to disrupt the timing and continuity of the Roadrunner passing game by attacking their OL relentlessly and tackling well on the back end, while UTSA hopes that a fervent run defense and high risk blitzes will force 3rd downs and an inexperienced or injured Texas QB into bad throws. 

Gerry Hamilton: I’m not expecting a let down. But I am expecting a spirited fight from UTSA. It’s the M.O. of the program under Jeff Traylor. Texas should win the battle on both lines of scrimmage. And the Texas run game should establish itself, and wear down UTSA in the second half.

2. Who leads the Horns in tackles on Saturday?

Eric Nahlin: I think Anthony Cook follows up his effort from last week. He’s playing to the field and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to assist the corners with UTSA’s talented WRs. He’s also aggressive playing the screen game, which UTSA will likely need to use to get the ball out of Harris’ hand quick.

Joe Cook: Jerrin Thompson. I think with UTSA’s likely emphasis on quick passing and Frank Harris’ running ability, we’ll see the safeties make a lot of plays on Saturday.

Justin Wells: This is a game Jerrin Thompson can really stack up the tackles with UTSA/Frank Harris is a lot of third-and-sixes.

Ian Boyd: DeMarvion Overshown likely piles up tackles chasing down receivers on quick throws, chasing down Frank Harris, and then on traditional run stops. He’s a problem for their approach which counts on punishing slower linebackers.

Bobby Burton: I’ll go with Anthony Cook, especially if UTSA is going to utilize the quick passing game as expected.

Paul Wadlington: Jerrin Thompson. UTSA shouldn’t be able to run the ball conventionally. Expect a lot of tackles from the defensive backs. 

Gerry Hamilton: UTSA has to try and establish the run game to protect the passing game. That and Frank Harris scrambling leads me to go with Jaylan Ford. After a rough start to the Alabama game, ford settled in and led the Longhorns in tackles in the 20-19 loss. 

3. How does the QB situation in Austin change the UT offensive attack?

Eric Nahlin: I don’t think it will all that much. Texas will still look to get its better athletes down the field against UTSA’s pedestrian secondary. I do think we’ll continue to see interesting usage of running back groupings with the intent to get them the ball in the air.

Joe Cook: Probably makes it more rushing oriented. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Keilan Robinson or even Jonathon Brooks get involved.

Justin Wells: I don’t see it much change, outside of going vertical less often I think this game requires heavy doses of Roschon Johnson and Keilan Robinson.

Ian Boyd: I don’t know if it does too much, Sark asks all his quarterbacks to take shots. He’ll try and protect the quarterback some and we all expect to see some extra Ro-Cat. I’m curious how they’ll scheme the run game, perhaps with Andrej Karic on the field in unbalanced sets.

Bobby Burton: I think there’s got to be more of a focus on moving the chains, wearing down UTSA if possible so the run game really works in the 4th quarter.

Paul Wadlington: It would help to know the QB to answer, but I would expect RoCat to be more of a change up than a staple. Whichever QB starts, Texas has to scheme up the passing game to allow 20-25 attempts to be maximally effective. Running 55 times into a stacked front is unlikely to be the best path to victory. Coming out throwing on some easy stuff to take advantage of UTSA’s desire to stop the run could be an interesting early game tactic. 

Gerry Hamilton: The downfield passing game will not be as feared by the UTSA defensive staff. There is just a difference in arm talent with Quinn Ewers out. If the Longhorns establish the run game from jump street, then the shots downfield will present themselves. 

4. Youth has been served for Texas during the first two games. Which newcomer shines on Saturday night?

Eric Nahlin: Texas really shortened the bench on the edge last week, but the freshman showed exciting upside in the opener. I’m hoping to see more of all of them, but I think Ethan Burke is the most likely to make his presence felt on Saturday, especially if Ovie Oghoufo loses contain on the mobile Harris a time or two. He’s not a total newcomer, but I think Barryn Sorrell will shine this week.

Joe Cook: I think we’ll see continued excellence from Kelvin Banks.

Justin Wells: I see more from Jaylon Guilbeau and Ethan Burke. I wouldn’t be surprised if Brenen Thompson jumped into the mix.

Ian Boyd: I think we’ll see some good snaps from one of the young defensive ends since they’ll likely earn more trust with weaker offensive tackles across from them. Justice Finkley or Ethan Burke should flash in this game.

Bobby Burton: Outside of the usual suspects, I’d like to see what Ethan Burke could do spying Frank Harris.

Paul Wadlington: I want to see a better Kelvin Banks run blocking game. He’s been good as a pass protector, but can he open up outside zone for us against the Roadrunners? Win the edge against an 8 man front and big plays will ensue. 

Gerry Hamilton: This feels like a game Brenen Thompson and possibly Savion Red get a target to two, but I’m going with Ethan Burke. This game is made for Burke to get his first career sack, and be a pest with his long arms in passing lanes. 

5. Texas-UTSA; final score/outcome?

Eric Nahlin: Texas, 37-13. I don’t anticipate a letdown in effort and focus which is the main key. I think this incarnation of Texas defense is well prepared to play Frank Harris after Bryce Young and Chandler Rogers in recent weeks. The safeties will be tested, but they are the most improved position group on the team. I also think the Texas O-line will start to get more displacement in the run game, though UTSA’s D-line is active and semi-deep.

Joe Cook: Texas, 38-17.

Justin Wells: Texas, 42-14.

Ian Boyd: Texas 38-17. They methodically beat down UTSA over the course of the game.

Bobby Burton: Maybe I should go with 52-7, UTSA. It almost worked last week. But something like 33-20 or 31-17, Texas seems to fit the Vegas line better.

Paul Wadlington: Texas- 31, UTSA-17. UTSA plays hard for four quarters so even if Texas thinks it has the game in hand, they need to match UTSA’s intensity all game. The Roadrunners have a knack for improbable late game rallies.

Gerry Hamilton: Texas, 37-17.