Texas’ path Saturday starts on the ground.
That’s the clearest takeaway from a matchup with an Oklahoma defense that has been far more reliable than its offense. The Sooners haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard on that side of the ball, but they’ve made life miserable for opposing attacks anyway. Through four games, Oklahoma is giving up just 238 yards of total offense per game, including 122.5 through the air, while piling up 28 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and a 23.1% opponent conversion rate on third down.
For Texas, that’s a problem. The Longhorns have been inconsistent offensively, and they’re coming off a game against Tennessee in which Arch Manning was sacked six times. If Oklahoma can squeeze the run game and force Texas into obvious passing downs, Manning and company are going to be under pressure fast.
Texas has put up 147.3 rushing yards per game and 3.64 yards per carry through four contests, but the numbers thin out against better opponents. Against Ohio State and Tennessee, the Longhorns managed only 202 rushing yards on 77 carries, which works out to 2.62 yards per attempt. The Tennessee game was especially rough: Texas finished with just 61 net rushing yards in a 20-17 win.
Manning’s sacks were part of the damage there, with six takedowns costing Texas 33 yards. The bigger issue, though, was the offense’s inability to stay on schedule. Texas converted only three of 12 third-down chances in Knoxville, and its third-down rate has dropped sharply over the course of the season, from 73.3% against Texas State to 56.3% against Ohio State, 41.2% against UTSA and then 25% against Tennessee.
That’s why the run game matters so much here. If Texas can’t create manageable downs early, Oklahoma’s pass rush gets to tee off. Steve Sarkisian needs the ground game to do more than just show up - it has to hold the defense honest and keep drives alive.
The good news for Texas is that Oklahoma hasn’t been airtight against the run. The Sooners are allowing 115.5 rushing yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry.
Michigan ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns against them, and Georgia averaged 4.96 yards per carry with three rushing scores. In fact, all five rushing touchdowns Oklahoma has allowed came in those two losses.
Texas has enough backfield talent to test that front. Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown have combined for 394 rushing yards on 89 carries, averaging 4.43 yards per attempt. But the Longhorns still need that production to come in a steadier, more useful way.
They don’t need a monster rushing day or a highlight reel full of explosive plays. They just need enough consistency to move the chains, keep Oklahoma guessing and stop putting the offense entirely on Manning’s shoulders.
Against this defense, commitment alone won’t do it. Texas has to make the run game count.
In Other News...
Texas Gets Encouraging Return But Faces New Depth Concern Vs Oklahoma
Texas heads into the Red River Rivalry with some welcome health news as the No. 1 Longhorns get safety Xavier Filsaime back for his season debut. Tight end Nick Townsend is also trending toward availability after dealing with a knee injury, and running back Hollywood Smothers has come off the injury report as the staff gets ready for one of the biggest games on the schedule.
The good news, though, comes with a bit of unease on the depth chart. Justus Terry and Jordan Coleman are expected to sit out because of injuries, leaving Texas to juggle its personnel again at a time when every healthy body matters against Oklahoma. With the Longhorns still unbeaten at 4-0, the latest injury updates add another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Landed A Rivalry Win Longhorn Fans Will Love
Right before the Red River Rivalry, Texas added a recruiting win that hits a little harder than most. Micah Rhodes, a four-star running back in the class of 2028 and a Texas native, switched his commitment from Oklahoma to Texas, giving the Longhorns another promising piece for the future and a name that already carries some weight around the program.
Rhodes is a legacy recruit with family ties to Texas, which only adds to the appeal for Longhorn fans who care as much about the uniform as the talent. He has already shown strong high school production, and his move to Austin gives Texas an early boost in building out its 2028 offensive class while also landing a prospect who chose the Longhorns over a rival in a way that is sure to resonate around the state. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Defense Is Hiding One Concern For No. 1 Longhorns
The Longhorns have had enough offensive hiccups to leave some room for concern, but their defense has been the real stabilizer in a perfect start. Under Will Muschamp, Texas has turned opponents away at an elite rate and has done so while carrying the burden of being the No. 1 team in the country, the kind of edge that can keep a team upright when the other side of the ball is still searching for rhythm.
What makes the run even more notable is the level of competition Texas has already seen, with the schedule asking for answers against Ohio State and Tennessee. For a team trying to protect its top ranking, the defensive performance has been the clearest reason the Longhorns have been able to keep moving forward, even as the offense has not always matched it snap for snap. [Read more 🡒]