Texas’ passing game may be the part of the offense that gets the headlines, but the Longhorns’ matchup with UTSA could end up being defined by what happens on the ground first.
That matters for Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Mosley V. After a quieter night against Ohio State than the one they put together against Texas State, the Texas receiver room has a clear path to get back on track - and it starts with a Roadrunners defense that has had a hard time stopping the run.
UTSA comes into Austin undefeated, but its front has already shown a major weakness. Through two games, the Roadrunners have given up an average of 233 rushing yards per game, and Texas State ripped them for 289 on the ground.
That kind of production changes the way a defense has to play. If UTSA can’t slow Texas’ run game, it will have to crowd the box, and that opens the door for Steve Sarkisian to work the rest of his offense.
Texas should be looking to establish the run early, and if that works, play-action can start pulling second-level defenders out of position. That’s where Mosley V becomes a problem in the slot, especially if a linebacker or safety takes even a brief step the wrong way.
The same logic applies outside. If UTSA decides it has to commit a safety to the box, Coleman and Wingo can get the kind of one-on-one matchups that usually tilt in Texas’ favor. Both receivers have the ability to threaten the field, and those isolated looks could be exactly what the Longhorns want.
Then there’s the RPO element, which adds another layer of stress for the Roadrunners. If UTSA’s linebackers start flying downhill to help against the run, Manning can keep the ball and attack the space they leave behind. If they stay disciplined, Texas can simply hand it off and keep leaning on a run defense that has already been vulnerable.
UTSA does have a cornerback group that is well regarded, with the Chapman twins and RJ Lester Jr., but that unit still hasn’t faced anything close to Texas’ level of talent.
The real problem for the Roadrunners is that they can’t just key on one target. Wingo, Coleman and Mosley V all bring something different to the offense, and trying to contain all three while also shoring up a shaky run defense is a tough assignment.
If UTSA loads up to stop the run, Texas has the passing game to make it pay. If it stays back in coverage, the Longhorns can keep hammering away on the ground. Either way, Sarkisian has a chance to open up almost every corner of his playbook.
And if Texas gets the Roadrunners to honor the run early, Wingo, Coleman and Mosley V should have plenty of chances to answer a quieter showing against the Buckeyes.
In Other News...
Texas Heads Into SEC Play With One Big Offensive Concern
Texas wrapped up its non-conference slate with a 30-6 win over UTSA, and the bigger takeaway for Steve Sarkisians group was that it came out healthy ahead of SEC play. The defense did what a No. 1 team should do, holding the Roadrunners to 143 total yards, while the offense found enough bursts to keep control of the game and move on to the next challenge.
The passing game, though, still looked like the area most likely to test Texas once the league schedule begins. Arch Manning had a productive line, but the rhythm never really settled in, even as the Longhorns got a boost from freshman Derrick Cooper Jr. in the backfield, where he gave Texas another meaningful option alongside the more established pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Has One Clear Priority Against UTSA Before SEC Play
The Longhorns head into their matchup with UTSA with momentum and a chance to clean up a few more details before the schedule gets a lot less forgiving. Texas has looked the part through its first two games, and oddsmakers are expecting a comfortable night against a Roadrunners team that has struggled to hold up defensively. With conference play looming, this is the kind of game the Longhorns want to control early and use to sharpen themselves for what comes next.
A win would push Texas to 3-0 and give the program another chance to build rhythm before SEC competition arrives. The bigger question is not whether the Longhorns should win, but how complete they can look while doing it, especially against an opponent whose defensive issues have already been exposed. For Texas, the priority is clear: handle business, stay healthy, and leave no doubt before the real tests begin. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Suddenly Has A Major Defensive Concern Before Tennessee
Texas defensive front already had a big enough week ahead with Tennessee on the schedule, and now the edge-rusher rotation has become a little harder to read. Colin Simmons, one of the key pieces off the edge, was spotted on the sideline against UTSA in street clothes, which immediately raised eyebrows for a defense that has leaned on its pass rush to set the tone.
Steve Sarkisian did not offer an update on Simmons at halftime, and there has been no official word since, leaving the Longhorns with an open question at a position where they had added depth this season. With Tennessee coming next week, Texas can at least point to that added insurance, but how much of it gets tested may depend on whether Simmons is available. [Read more 🡒]