By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor wraps up the regular season at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin to play Texas.
The Bears (6-5, 4-4) are looking to clinch a winning season, possibly improve their bowl situation and ruin Texas’ chances of trying to get to the Big 12 Championship game. The Longhorns (7-4, 5-3) would need to win and have Kansas win at Kansas State for that to happen.
This could be the final meeting ever between the Bears and Longhorns in Austin. This will be the 112th clash between the two schools.
A look at the Longhorns.
Opponent: Texas Longhorns
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (12-11 2nd season at Texas; 58-46 9th season overall)
2022 Record: 7-4, 5-3
Record vs. Baylor: Texas leads, 78-29-4
Returning Starters: 6 offense, 7 defense
Key Returners: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Xavier Worthy, WR Jordan Whittington, LB DeMarvion Overshown, NT Keondre Coburn, DB D’Shawn Jamison
Common Denominator: The Bears and Longhorns have the same turnover ratio, +2
Offensive Formation: Multiple but base out of one back; will use two TEs
Defensive Formation: 3-man front but can play with a fourth
About Texas on Offense: Everything starts with the uber talented RB Bijan Robinson (1,401, 16 TD, 6.1). He’s the heartbeat. It’s not clear if backup RB Roschon Johnson (477, 3 TD) will play. He suffered a lower leg injury last week at Kansas. Texas’ offensive line is anchored by freshman Kelvin Banks who is having a really good season and should be in the running for Big 12 OL of the year. While QB Quinn Ewers (1,614 yards, 55.4, 14 TD, 4 INT) has had his moments, he’s been wildly inaccurate ever since Oklahoma State. His deep ball accuracy is a problem which is why vertical threat Xavier Worthy (46-614, 13.3, 9 TD) isn’t having a bigger season. Jordan Whittington (43-560, 13.0, 1 TD) has been good. However, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (47-512, 5 TD) has been a matchup problem.
About Texas on Defense: As linebacker Jaylan Ford goes, so goes this defense. He’s been very productive (96 total tackles, 2 sacks, 3 INT) and is in the running for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Texas’ defensive front has been pretty sound this year. The Longhorns rushing defense has been consistent all year allowing just 125 yards per game, second in the Big 12. DE Barryn Sorrell has been the primary pass rush specialist with 5.5 sacks. The Longhorns 24 team sacks are fourth in the conference, just two behind leaders Kansas State and Texas Tech. Texas is fourth in the conference in total defense at just shy of 370 yards per game, two yards behind Baylor. DB D’Shawn Jamison and junior Jahdae Barron each has a Pick6.
About Texas on Special Teams: PK Bert Auburn has been good all season. There was the duck snort missed 20-yard field goal at the end of the first half against Alabama. However, he’s 18-23 for the season and hasn’t missed a PAT in 48 tries. Punter Daniel Trejo is averaging 41 yards per effort with 12 of his 40 landing inside the opponent’s 20 and seven traveling 50 yards or more. Keilan Robinson has a return of a blocked punt for a TD in the opener against Louisiana-Monroe. He’s also the primary KOR. Worthy is the No. 1 punt return specialist averaging 10.4 yards.
Bottom Line: This is a better season for the Longhorns in Year 2 under Sark. However, it’s still not up to Texas expectations. Texas let a golden opportunity slip against Alabama, blew games at Texas Tech and at Oklahoma and was shut down two weeks ago against TCU. However, when the Longhorns are on, they can be difficult to face. They won at Kansas State, which is why Friday is meaningful to them. They also have a 49-0 rout of Oklahoma in that longtime rivalry game. It’s a team that struggles to maintain consistency in games but has had the talent to win every one of them.
Publisher
Baylor wraps up the regular season at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin to play Texas.
The Bears (6-5, 4-4) are looking to clinch a winning season, possibly improve their bowl situation and ruin Texas’ chances of trying to get to the Big 12 Championship game. The Longhorns (7-4, 5-3) would need to win and have Kansas win at Kansas State for that to happen.
This could be the final meeting ever between the Bears and Longhorns in Austin. This will be the 112th clash between the two schools.
A look at the Longhorns.
Opponent: Texas Longhorns
Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (12-11 2nd season at Texas; 58-46 9th season overall)
2022 Record: 7-4, 5-3
Record vs. Baylor: Texas leads, 78-29-4
Returning Starters: 6 offense, 7 defense
Key Returners: RB Bijan Robinson, WR Xavier Worthy, WR Jordan Whittington, LB DeMarvion Overshown, NT Keondre Coburn, DB D’Shawn Jamison
Common Denominator: The Bears and Longhorns have the same turnover ratio, +2
Offensive Formation: Multiple but base out of one back; will use two TEs
Defensive Formation: 3-man front but can play with a fourth
About Texas on Offense: Everything starts with the uber talented RB Bijan Robinson (1,401, 16 TD, 6.1). He’s the heartbeat. It’s not clear if backup RB Roschon Johnson (477, 3 TD) will play. He suffered a lower leg injury last week at Kansas. Texas’ offensive line is anchored by freshman Kelvin Banks who is having a really good season and should be in the running for Big 12 OL of the year. While QB Quinn Ewers (1,614 yards, 55.4, 14 TD, 4 INT) has had his moments, he’s been wildly inaccurate ever since Oklahoma State. His deep ball accuracy is a problem which is why vertical threat Xavier Worthy (46-614, 13.3, 9 TD) isn’t having a bigger season. Jordan Whittington (43-560, 13.0, 1 TD) has been good. However, TE Ja’Tavion Sanders (47-512, 5 TD) has been a matchup problem.
About Texas on Defense: As linebacker Jaylan Ford goes, so goes this defense. He’s been very productive (96 total tackles, 2 sacks, 3 INT) and is in the running for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Texas’ defensive front has been pretty sound this year. The Longhorns rushing defense has been consistent all year allowing just 125 yards per game, second in the Big 12. DE Barryn Sorrell has been the primary pass rush specialist with 5.5 sacks. The Longhorns 24 team sacks are fourth in the conference, just two behind leaders Kansas State and Texas Tech. Texas is fourth in the conference in total defense at just shy of 370 yards per game, two yards behind Baylor. DB D’Shawn Jamison and junior Jahdae Barron each has a Pick6.
About Texas on Special Teams: PK Bert Auburn has been good all season. There was the duck snort missed 20-yard field goal at the end of the first half against Alabama. However, he’s 18-23 for the season and hasn’t missed a PAT in 48 tries. Punter Daniel Trejo is averaging 41 yards per effort with 12 of his 40 landing inside the opponent’s 20 and seven traveling 50 yards or more. Keilan Robinson has a return of a blocked punt for a TD in the opener against Louisiana-Monroe. He’s also the primary KOR. Worthy is the No. 1 punt return specialist averaging 10.4 yards.
Bottom Line: This is a better season for the Longhorns in Year 2 under Sark. However, it’s still not up to Texas expectations. Texas let a golden opportunity slip against Alabama, blew games at Texas Tech and at Oklahoma and was shut down two weeks ago against TCU. However, when the Longhorns are on, they can be difficult to face. They won at Kansas State, which is why Friday is meaningful to them. They also have a 49-0 rout of Oklahoma in that longtime rivalry game. It’s a team that struggles to maintain consistency in games but has had the talent to win every one of them.
