IT Roundtable: West Virginia

The Texas Longhorns host Big 12 conference foe West Virginia on Saturday from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Here’s the Inside Texas’ staff picks, predictions, and more.

1. West Virginia QB JT Daniels looks more comfortable each week in Graham Harrell’s system. How do you expect them to attack Texas’ defense?

Eric Nahlin – WVU will test UT’s exchanges and discipline in the middle of the secondary and play-making ability on the outside. They’ll try and test Ryan Watts with speed and D’Shawn Jamison with size. Ian doesn’t think it will work, I have a bit of concern, though the CB’s have played well this year. I think West Virginia will have to vary its run game to have success. I like CJ Donaldson but I think the Texas interior can keep him to his lowest total of the year. Support defenders have to tackle well.

Justin Wells – WVU will rely on a strong offensive line, big tailback, and a pair of wideouts in Ford-Wheaton and Prather to counter this UT defense. The nickel and dime’ing down the field, then opening up lanes for the rushing threat is what Texas must stop.

Joe Cook – The right plan is to try to dink-and-dunk but I have a feeling they’ll try to test the Longhorn corners with Daniels’ arm. Bryce Ford-Wheaton and Kaden Prather are big-framed wideouts. I think it’s a prudent call to try to test that matchup before wandering into territory patrolled by DeMarvion Overshown and Jaylan Ford.

Ian Boyd – West Virginia is built to attack with RPOs, combining inside power run schemes with shots outside to their big receivers. Whether or not it’s the best way to attack Texas or not (it’s not), they have to follow that script to some extent. Presumably they’ll also mix in some spread sets and see if they can get after the Texas linebackers in coverage since that’s been the better way to attack the Longhorns, but they aren’t built for it like these other teams who had great slot receivers and scrambling quarterbacks.

Bobby Burton – I expect them to throw, and be successful at it, to open up their run game. Will that work? Somewhat. I still expect the Texas defense to be solid against the run in the second half.

Paul Wadlington – They’ll attack Texas underneath and combine it with running at the Longhorn edges and linebackers. I expect a fair amount of RPOs from the Pistol. The more interesting question will be whether they spread Texas out and just throw 6-12 yard stops, curls, and ins on a loop.

Gerry Hamilton – J.T. Daniels doesn’t present the off schedule pass or run game component as a player, so the RPO game is crucial for West Virginia. Daniels is the type of quarterback Texas can have success against, if they can create pocket push from the interior. Run game for WVU is going to be important Saturday to keep Daniels clean. 

2. What’s Steve Sarkisian and the Texas offense’ biggest second-half need/adjustment going to be versus WVU?

Eric Nahlin – Throw it past the sticks. Card was 13-18 in the first half last week, 7-12 in the second. Sure, the defense had trouble getting off the field but the offense had trouble staying on the field too. Pass on run downs, run on pass downs. Stick with RPO’s. Stick with Jordan Whittington on routes he’s good at. By now we know Sark’s early choices will probably be correct. He should be able to anticipate WVU’s adjustments in advance.

Justin Wells – Texas must be able to run the ball in the fourth quarter. This offense has potential for halftime leads, and those leads must be protected. Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson finding yards down the stretch will take a lot of issues off their second half defense.

Joe Cook – Finding ways to manufacture yards on the ground. It’s no secret that the Texas O-line has performed admirably this year, but the interior struggles to get bodies moved at the LOS. Between pop passes, outside runs, and general misdirection, there are ways to make the ground game work that don’t just entail inside zone. 

Ian Boyd – Texas needs to land some shots throwing the ball in the second half. The offensive line isn’t going to suddenly master the process of allowing Bijan Robinson to methodically wear a team down and the deep passing game may not suddenly come online this week. They need to work out some schemes to get open with the receivers they have.

Bobby Burton – Throw the ball effectively to get West Virginia from crowding the box. Even short passes in the flat or RPOs would work. Anything to keep West Virginia more honest.

Paul Wadlington – Texas has to be willing to go back to the well on successful first half plays and then have a counter to the eventual adjustment.  

Gerry Hamilton – Texas needs Hudson Card to hit the throws down the field to for the run game to maximize. Right now, it’s too easy to just be aggressive and sell out the box until Card proves he can make those throws, and see the throws to make. 

3. With a few of Texas’ best offensive players nursing injuries – Quinn Ewers, Xavier Worthy – who needs to step up the most?

Eric Nahlin – Hudson Card. WVU’s secondary plays off and is still susceptible to getting beat deep. Xavier Worthy’s health is unfortunate, but most teams don’t have a player like him yet can still punish WVU.

Justin Wells – Texas Offensive Line. The hogmollies up front need to establish the tempo and allow the Horns enough creases for Bijan and Roschon, while allowing Card’s play-action game succeed.

Joe Cook – Hudson Card. He answered the call pretty well last week. He needs to do it again.

Ian Boyd – The Longhorns need one more receiver aside from Jordan Whittington to earn the trust of the coaches to get a major role in the passing game and then pull through by getting open and securing catches.

Bobby Burton – Texas got absolutely nothing out of its defensive ends last week. And that’s against a Tech group that is subpar at best. Hopefully Moro Ojomo returns and makes an impact. No pass rush against JT Daniels is a recipe for a long night in DKR.

Paul Wadlington – Hudson Card. West Virginia’s pass defense is vulnerable. Card has to make throws on-time to receivers running away from him. 

Gerry Hamilton – Agiye Hall, Savion Red and maybe it’s Brenen Thompson time. Texas needs Hall to become a threat down the field for sure. Tarique Milton will snatch the football out of the air if given opportunities. So, it’s wide receiver across the board. Hall would be ideal, as that would help maximize Ja’Tavion Sanders. 

4. Texas forces _____ sacks/turnovers on Saturday.

Eric Nahlin – Daniels gets the ball out quick and both of his interceptions were more the fault of his most talented wide receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton. But, Jamison has been right there a couple of times versus this team. He had a spectacular pick a few years ago and then nearly had one last year on a fantastic play by the WVU receiver. I bet Jamison gets one this week, but this doesn’t set up as a high sack/turnover game for UT, imo.

Justin Wells – With Daniels being the unlikely dual-threat, Texas should add to its sack total. I’d watch Jerrin Thompson in the secondary for a late interception.

Joe Cook – With the thought that WVU will test Texas downfield in some 50-50 balls, I’ll say they combine for 4.0 sacks+turnovers. Jerrin Thompson gets his hands on one.

Ian Boyd – West Virginia has held up pretty well since the Pitt game in terms of protecting JT Daniels and Daniels protecting the ball with his passes. Texas should be happy if they can force 1-2 turnovers and stay positive in turnover margin.

Bobby Burton –  I’ll go with two sacks and one turnover. I don’t feel strongly about either of those numbers. I could easily see it being perhaps one sack and no turnovers. I just have little faith in this defense to be the aggressors.

Paul Wadlington – Three.

Gerry Hamilton – Three sacks due to lack of mobility for Daniels, and one turnover. 

5. Texas-West Virginia score/outcome:

Eric Nahlin – 34-31, Texas. Bert Auburn is due to have one of his heroic kicks decide a game in UT’s favor. But also, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention this game has the hallmarks of UT’s patented heartbreak.

Justin Wells – WVU 37, Texas 28. Until I see Texas play four quarters of football, teams like West Virginia will be a thorn.

Joe Cook – 38-31, Texas.

Ian Boyd –  The Mountaineers have some holes on defense without Charles Woods in the mix and I don’t think their offense is well equipped to do a lot of damage to the Longhorns. With a good game plan Texas should be able get enough points on the board at home to secure a win and withstand a second half surge; Texas, 33-24.

Bobby Burton – The Mountaineers beat Texas 31-23 in Morgantown last year. Both teams have roughly the same talent as a year ago, and Texas is likely going to play with the same QB. Only substantive difference is that it’s in DKR which could make an impact. Unless Ewers returns and unlocks the offense, I don’t see Texas all of a sudden becoming better in pass defense or running the ball consistently, especially in the second half. WVU, 31-27.

Paul Wadlington – Texas- 30, West Virginia- 28

Gerry Hamilton – Texas 41-33. That score will seem high, but if this isn’t an inspired effort by Texas … then there are issues beyond the surface. This game is one that should show a culture change, and team buy in and belief.