The three toughest offenses for the Texas defense in 2023
In my last column I discussed the shape of the Texas defense coming out of spring and how opposing teams are likely to attack them based on the current scouting report. It’s going to be dicey for a lot of teams trying to find holes against the Longhorn defense in 2023. The team is very strong up the middle with T’Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy, Jaylan Ford, Jerrin Thompson, and potentially Jalen Catalon all occupying the middle of the chessboard.
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Then there’s also very high level athleticism on the perimeter at Star (nickel) and cornerback. The conclusion of the column was that most teams were going to have to keep it conservative, try to pound Texas on the ground in the running game (particularly on the weakside and edges), and take their shots down the field in the passing game to try and pick up some easy points.
So which teams on the schedule are best equipped to do that or otherwise challenge the Longhorn defense? These three stand out.
The Alabama Crimson Tide
Of course we have to start with Alabama due to their talent level and advantage playing this game in Tuscaloosa in Week 2. The Tide are planning to build around a right side combo of JC Latham (6-foot-6, 335 pounds) and Tyler Booker (6-foot-5, 335 pounds) in the run game as well as some double tight end sets with Maryland transfer CJ Dippre (6-foot-5, 257 pounds) and Robbie Ouzts (6-foot-4, 258 pounds). They’ll also involve the quarterback in the run game more, likely utilizing Tyler Buchner who has a particular knack for inside runs which will pair well with speedy backs like Jase McClellan.
A play like QB counter bash could isolate Texas’ Buck and Will linebackers against pulling Bama linemen and we’d see how the replacements are really coming along.
Provided the Tide’s defense is good and allows them to hang in the game and stay committed to the run game, Alabama could have the most fearsome rushing attack Texas faces all season. If JUCO addition Malik Benson (10.44 100m in high school) proves to be the deep threat and explosive weapon they’ve been lacking on the perimeter they’ll have all the ingredients.
The Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats return all of their starters on the offensive line, headlined by guard Cooper Beebe who’s an absolute unit at 6-foot-3, 320 pounds but is athletic enough they’ve used him at times as their left tackle. They also have big tight end Ben Sinnott back after a startlingly good 2022 campaign.
When they want to involve the quarterback to change the numbers, Will Howard has proven capable even though he’s probably a 4.9 runner at about 240 pounds. In 2021 when some of Texas’ defensive backs failed to run him down from behind Steve Sarkisian took that as a sign it was time for some players to find the bench… but Howard is quick enough to pull the ball around the edge. Power back D.J. Giddens is back and joined by speedy Florida State runner Treshaun Ward.
Beyond the strong run game, another challenge is the Wildcats’ more advanced vertical passing game, which caught the Longhorns a couple of times a year ago. K-State lost their outside receivers but poached Iowa Hawkeye Keagan Johnson, who was evidently ready to move on from their moribund offense, and he’s expected to be the main guy.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Red Raiders have yet to unleash the full power of the Zach Kittley offense. Their 2022 team didn’t really have the deep shot ability yet, rotated through all three quarterbacks due to injury, and was still retooling the offensive line. They beat Texas in particular by hitting slot Myles Price on Texas’ linebackers and running quarterback power in short-yardage to keep drives alive.
They’ve reconfigured their offensive line for the coming year, moving up and coming tackle Monroe Mills from right tackle to left tackle (left tackle Caleb Rogers returns and moves to the right). The interior has been bolstered with Western Kentucky transfers who played for Kittley. Outside receivers Jerand Bradley and Loic Fouinji return while dynamic FCS slot Drae McCray joins the party. They have some speed and weapons now to attack more vertically. Kittley will draw up a million misdirections to obscure plays like 4-verticals, such as stacking the receivers outside and having the big guys feign blocks as though it were a screen before releasing downfield.
Tech can still run the football and mix in quarterback power with a now 230-pound Tyler Shough (or a now 220-pound Behren Morton). This is an offense who might be beyond shutting down, Texas may have to just outscore them.
Other Big 12 offenses will likely pose some challenges, Oklahoma’s Veer and Shoot is ostensibly designed to attack deep or run over an opponent as well. If Texas’ defense keeps down these three offenses, it’s unlikely Oklahoma or anyone else in the league was able to really pressure the Longhorns on the scoreboard.
