On Texas Football - State of the Program: What to look for in Texas vs. Kansas
In the latest edition of On Texas Football’s State of the Program, Eric Nahlin and Bobby Burton discuss how the Longhorns’ 4-0 start has development on display, plus what to look for versus ranked teams in Kansas and Oklahoma. State of the Program is presented by the Loewy Law Firm.
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Burton and Nahlin assess the first third of the season that has Texas 4-0 for the first time since 2012.
“In 2012, it was smoke and mirrors,” Nahlin said. “They’re kicking your butt on defense fair and square. There’s no smoke and mirrors at all. Offense, they’re leaning on a decent run game that’s getting better and big plays on offense. We’re seeing a core identity start to come together.”
Nahlin said various aspects have gotten their “bad game” out of the way without issue, and the Longhorns have been able to excel. However, there’s a challenge this week in the form of the Jayhawks.
“I don’t really agree with that spread being so high,” Nahlin said. “I think Kansas is better than they were last year when they started 5-0.”
Burton and Nahlin discuss how Kansas has caused a degree of havoc on opposing offenses, and how the Jayhawks could possess the best defense the Longhorns have faced since traveling to Alabama. Nahlin notes there are pieces and transfers that have made the KU defense better along with some long-tenured playmakers like Cobee Bryant. Another standout Nahlin noticed on the Kansas defense included Austin Booker.
The two get into a discussion about Jalon Daniels and the Kansas offense. Nahlin and Burton discuss the challenge of the scheme and playmakers, including Daniels.
“He’s a good individual talent in his own right,” Nahlin said. “I think he’d be good in any scheme. He’s a good dropback passer, but they do a really good job of bringing his legs into it.”
After a conversation about depth, the two look at how the Jayhawks disposed of BYU in Kansas’ Big 12 opener.
“It’s a different team, they got on Illinois too,” Nahlin said. “That game wasn’t nearly as close as the final score ended up being. You could probably make the case they were looking ahead.”
The two look into recruiting matters after the addition of On3 Industry Ranking five-star offensive lineman Brandon Baker. There’s been an emphasis on out-of-state recruiting, and Nahlin was asked on Inside Texas which school he would choose for a pipeline between Mater Dei and Duncanville.
“I went with Mater Dei,” Nahlin said. “The reason I did that is Mater Dei is always going to be talented. They’re basically a magnet for a players in a 60-mile radius.”
“They’re basically a bug lamp for talent,” Nahlin added.
Are there issues for Texas? Nahlin and Burton discuss speed in the secondary, zone coverage abilities versus a team like Kansas, and dropback passing ability from Quinn Ewers.
The two discuss other potential weaknesses, development on display for old and young players alike, and expectations for the Longhorns versus Kansas and Oklahoma.
