Mike Elko Breaks Down Texas’ Offense and Defense Ahead of Rivalry Showdown
As Texas A&M prepares to face Texas in the renewal of their storied rivalry, Aggies head coach Mike Elko is fully aware of the challenges the Longhorns present on both sides of the ball. With Texas operating at a high level under head coach Steve Sarkisian, Elko emphasized the importance of meticulous preparation to counter one of the most talented teams his squad will face this season.
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The Best Passing Game They’ve Seen
Elko praised Texas’ explosive offense, specifically their downfield passing game, and called it the best his team has encountered all season.
“They’re extremely talented,” Elko said. “I think without question they’ll be the best one we’ve seen all year. Coach Sark has always done a really good job offensively, in particular with the pass game and the downfield passing game. They present a lot of different challenges.”
Elko highlighted the Longhorns’ ability to create mismatches and exploit defensive weaknesses through scheming and talent.
“They do a really good job scheming up matchups and leverage,” he explained. “They can attack you on every phase of it with a lot of really talented players—from the tight end to the outside wide receivers to the running back to the quarterback, who is a tremendous player as well.”
For the Aggies, the challenge is clear: Texas has a multi-dimensional offense that demands near-perfect execution on defense.
“It’s a full-field challenge,” Elko said. “You gotta cover them sideways and vertically really, really well to have success. That’s the challenge, and we gotta get ready for it.”
While Texas’ downfield passing game isn’t great, it’s probably heavy on Elko’s mind after giving up several big plays over the top in A&M’s recent overtime loss to Auburn.
A Tough, Experienced Defense
While Texas’ offense garners much of the spotlight, Elko is also impressed by the Longhorns’ defense, led by defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. Elko highlighted their combination of talent, experience, and cohesive execution.
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“I think they got really talented players—it starts there,” Elko noted. “They got a really good scheme. Coach K has been running really good defense for a really long time, going back to Boise State.”
One of Texas’ defensive strengths, according to Elko, is the continuity within the unit. Many of their players have extensive experience playing together, which translates into seamless execution on the field.
“They’ve been together four years,” Elko said. “A lot of those guys have played a lot of football, and so they’re very comfortable with each other and what they’re trying to do. They do it at a really high level.”
Texas’ defensive front, in particular, stands out for its ability to disrupt plays and create turnovers.
“They got some really long, athletic front guys that cause some problems in terms of vision and throwing lanes,” Elko explained. “That’s kind of, I think, led to a lot of the turnovers, and they’re pretty good in the secondary.”
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‘Pretty good’ was an interesting way to put it. Texas often has four or five defensive backs on the field that will eventually get drafted, including one of the favorites for the Thorpe award.
