Texas is heading into the kind of stretch that can tell you a lot about a team, and the first stop is a rugged one.
After knocking off Mississippi State 31-3 to finish a three-game homestand, the Longhorns are 6-2 and carrying some momentum into Saturday’s trip to Missouri. But the calendar is not doing Texas any favors. Three of its final four regular-season games are on the road, and the defense - already dealing with injuries - is about to be tested again by a physical SEC opponent.
Coach Steve Sarkisian put the challenge plainly.
“This league is not for the faint of heart,” Sarkisian said. “It’s just a line of scrimmage league. It’s big boy football.”
Missouri brings a run game that has been rolling all season, averaging 167.5 rushing yards per game. Jamal Roberts has already gone over 1,000 yards this year, and the Tigers got another boost when Ahmad Hardy returned against Arkansas after missing their first seven games.
Texas, though, has been strong against the run, allowing just 102.4 rushing yards per game.
For defensive lineman Hero Kanu, the matchup also comes with a different feel after three straight games at home.
“We love playing here at DKR,” Kanu said. “But, you know, different experience.
Never been to Missouri. Played Missouri before.”
Defensive back Justin Cryer sees a familiar test ahead, comparing Missouri’s attack to what Texas faced earlier at Tennessee.
“I kind of relate this to that Tennessee game,” Cryer said. “So [Missouri] has been close to 200 [yards per game]. But again, they’re a good rushing team.”
Texas started 4-0 before back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Florida, and now the Longhorns are trying to prove the recent bounce-back is real. Against Missouri, the battle up front may decide whether that momentum keeps building.
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