IT Roundtable: Predictions, players to watch, key storylines for Texas vs. Oklahoma

We are just over 24 hours away from the date that every Longhorn fan has circled on their calendars every year… and…

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The Inside Texas staff provides predictions, players to watch, and key storylines for Texas vs. Oklahoma.

Texas starts a difficult three-game stretch of SEC games with the RRS on Saturday. What will the Longhorns need to bring against OU, UGA, and Vandy to make it to 3-0?

Eric Nahlin – The Longhorns can’t turn it over, and they need to bring the effort and execution from the Michigan game three weeks in a row.

Justin Wells – Clean play, few turnovers, growth on defense, and making sure Quinn Ewers and the running backs remain healthy. That still might not be enough to stop Diego Pavia in Nashville.

Ian Boyd – Clean play on offense should get Texas through the OU and Vanderbilt games. The Longhorns will need continued defensive excellence to beat Georgia.

Joe Cook – This is probably repetitive but earning explosives on offense and preventing them on defense. Two of the three touchdowns Texas has allowed this year have come from explosive plays. Forcing teams to have to earn every yard when on defense while consistently going from punt position to Bert Auburn territory (at worst) on offense is what has Texas as the No. 1 team in the country.

Paul Wadlington – They should bring their cleats, helmets and shoulder pads. Also, water. Seriously, the real schedule starts now. We’re going to find out exactly what Texas brings and not have to wishcast.

Charlie Williams – Grit and toughness. The ability to fight back when getting punched to make it through adversity.

Evan Vieth – Explosive offense. Texas needs to force teams like Georgia and Oklahoma who struggle to make big plays keep up with big gains and tempo.

James Hayden – Establish the run game and continue to cover things over the top. Against OU and Vandy the key will be stopping dual threat QBs.

Steve Sarkisian is 1-2 against Oklahoma. What would returning to .500 against OU mean for the Texas head coach?

Eric Nahlin – Returning to .500 isn’t as important as not being 1-3. He has to demonstrate he can bring the better program into the game and play to the level they are supposed to. They did that two years ago, but they didn’t do it last year.

Justin Wells – This could be one of his top three most important games during his time at Texas. You have to beat OU, and you have to really beat them when you’re heavily favored.

Ian Boyd – One closer to a winning percentage and also not in a 1-3 hole in the rivalry game seems good.

Joe Cook – This is a big deal for Sarkisian. College football at the highest level is defined by national title contention, winning conferences, and defeating rivals. Sark is a former baseball player and he knows .500 is worlds better than .250. There’s no reason to flirt with the Mendoza line next season. Beating Rival A1 and getting on equal footing with a team that’s gotten the best of Texas for most of this century would be a positive trend line worth celebrating with gilded headwear.

Paul Wadlington – A good trend line. The last four Texas head coaches with a losing record in this series were all fired. Some coaches with winning records in this series were also fired and it’s not coincidence that those firings occurred when the worm turned against them in Texas-OU.

Charlie Williams – Saves him from looking like the next Mack Brown!

Evan Vieth – Not much. Sarkisian is focused on a national title and has hammered home the point that the stakes are the same every week. A win will feel good, undoubtedly, but being .500 isn’t an important piece of the puzzle.

James Hayden – It will help start his journey from a good coach in Texas’ history to legendary one.

OU is depleted on offense, but the Sooner defense is stout. Which OU defensive position will give Texas the toughest battle?

Eric Nahlin – The defensive tackles, especially if they pull some stunts. The O-line should account for Danny Stutsman behind them, too.

Justin Wells – Safety. Billy Bowman and Peyton Bowen.

Ian Boyd – Picking up linebacker blitzes is always a test against the Sooners. Many teams have won or lost against Brent Venables based on their ability to pick those up and block them.

Joe Cook – I am looking forward to seeing how the Texas offense manages when it is faced with have-to-have-it situations where the path forward is to run the dang ball. That’s not been tested all that much this year, and OU’s defense in the Cotton Bowl is quite the test.

Paul Wadlington – Every player that isn’t a cornerback or nickel is at least above average to very good.

Charlie Williams – DL. They have depth and do a lot of things up front to mess up blocking schemes.

Evan Vieth – OU’s edge rushing corps is deep and talented, featuring players like Ethan Downs and R Mason Thomas who can big problems for opposing tackles.

James Hayden – That whole front seven in crimson.

How does the Texas defense exploit a bottom-of-the-league offense?

Eric Nahlin – Overplaying Michael Hawkins.

Justin Wells – By actually blitzing on occasion, but really getting pressure from the front four. The Sooner O-line is not good, so Texas needs to smell blood.

Ian Boyd – I think pressure is the answer if OU pursues the spread to run strategy I would employ were I offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. If they try something else, Texas could have multiple avenues to victory.

Joe Cook – “Cover 1 is the best coverage in ball.” – Nick Saban

Paul Wadlington – We have 37 articles on the site addressing this topic. We need to bring the fight to them and kill the flowers before they can bloom.

Charlie Williams – Show pressure and confuse the young QB all day long.

Evan Vieth – Containing Michael Hawkins is the name of the game. Hawkins is dynamic, but the entire offense revolves around him making big plays and confusing the defense. A lot of pressure is on Anthony Hill, David Gbenda and Liona Lefau to make the correct calls in option and draw plays.

James Hayden – Stop the QB run and they’ll struggle to score two TDs

Our Charlie Williams talked about how this game is an opportunity to become a legend. Who does that Saturday?

Eric Nahlin – Gunnar Helm. There should be an opportunity for him to exploit a lot of space created by the wideouts.

Justin Wells – Malik Muhammad’s pick-six will be a highlight for years to come.

Ian Boyd – I think Jahdae Barron is likely to bait an interception from Michael Hawkins. Ewers going 2-1 against the Sooners is a nice feather in his cap however he accomplishes it.

Joe Cook – The list of Longhorn quarterbacks with both two wins and a winning record against the Sooners has not seen a new addition in quite some time. Ewers does that in his return from injury, and he’ll start to get more of the positive recognition he deserves. And maybe a Dr. Pepper.

Paul Wadlington – Quinn Ewers and Jahdae Barron.

Charlie Williams – Ryan Wingo

Evan Vieth – Quinn Ewers reminds everyone why he was the Heisman front runner before injury

James Hayden – Michael Taaffe

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Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 44-17, Texas

Justin Wells – 34-17, Texas

Ian Boyd – 63-14, Texas. It’s a new era.

Joe Cook – 35-17, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 34-17, Texas

Charlie Williams – 34-10, Texas

Evan Vieth – 28-10, Texas

James Hayden – 42-13, Texas