Identifying the strength of Texas’ team entering Red River Rivalry
The 2023 Red River Rivalry proving to be an all-out war between the Texas and Oklahoma offensive and defensive fronts. With the succes the Longhorns have seen with their defensive line, it’s hard not to like them over OU’s offensive line.
On3’s Andy Staples welcomed former Oklahoma offensive lineman Gabe Ikard to his show, where Ikard revealed why he believes the defensive front of Texas could be the difference-maker against his Sooners.
“I think their defensive line is the strength of their football team,” Ikard told Staples. “When you look at Texas’ offensive and defensive lines … T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy [defensively], that combination of those guys on the interior — that’s the best position group that they have, that interior defensive line group with Sweat and Murphy then you can throw Alfred Collins in there, too. He’s a versatile piece for them, the same with Vernon Broughton. I really like some of the stuff I’ve seen from him.”
Murphy leads the group with a team-high 2.5 sacks, while Sweat and Collins have recorded one each while Broughton still searches for his first of the season. Texas wants Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel to have to beat them on his feat instead of giving him time to go through his progressions and throw the football.
The veteran QB has proven to be one of the most efficent quarterbacks in the Big 12 this season with a 15-2 touchdown-interception ratio to go with 1,593 passing yards. His 89.4 QBR ranks fourth in the nation through five games. Still, facing this Texas defensive front is a tall task for even the best of college quarterbacks.
“Overall, the O-Line is really good, but the defensive line is so important to have when it comes to playing overall great team defense. Their defense has been good, especially in the interior,” Ikard said. “On the outside, their EDGE players are solid, but I don’t think they have a premier EDGE rusher like a Dallas Turner that Alabama has. But they have multiple guys they can rotate in and there’s not a big drop-off. That’s huge to have that type of competitive depth on your defensive front.”
Kickoff between the Longhorns and Sooners is scheduled for Saturday at Noon ET inside the Cotton Bowl in Dallas live on ESPN. Texas has opened game week as a 6.5-point betting favorite, according to Vegas Insider. The over/under total is set at 60 points.