One down, 12 to go we all hope. The Longhorns won in convincing second half fashion last week 56-7, and a couple of potential stars were born. It’s a different animal this week as 15th ranked Texas heads out to Provo, Utah to face the BYU Cougars, coming off a 19-16 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers. Here are what I believe are the keys to the Horns coming back home 2-0
1. Know where BYU LB Kyle Van Noy is at all times
Van Noy is a stellar playmaker, who has numbers rivaling Jadeveon Clowney. His 2012 season included 13 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 INTs. He is a disruptive force on a BYU defense which is one of the better ones in the country. Guys need to hit their blocks and hold them for the offense to be successful. Â If you have not seen the video of Desmond Harrison trucking a NMSU defender, its on our Facebook page and Forums. We need to see that kind of effort out of Harrison, Donald Hawkins, and Josh Cochran to keep things flowing.
2. Get off to a much fast start offensively
BYU has the kind of defense that can keep Texas scoring down in the 20’s if execution is not high. If the Longhorns lolly gag for almost two quarters and turn the ball over three times again like they did int he first half last week, Â the Cougars will build a double digit lead. At the Longhorns disposal are Jalen Oversteet and Daje Johnson, two home run threats BYU doesn’t have an answer for. Texas needs to strike first and feed its playmakers early and often.
3. Force BYU QB Taysom Hill to throw the ball often
Hill will grow into a decent QB for the Cougars, but he is still young and not ready to take a game in his hands and win it. He reminds me of Garrett Gilbert in the sense you could almost guarantee a victory if you forced him to try and win the game on his own. He will get some stats, but he’s also going kill his team with costly turnovers if he feels the heat and pressure.
4. Shut down Cougar RB Jamaal WilliamsÂ
Williams picked up 144 yards on 33 carries last week in the monsoon conditions. He is the biggest threat out of the Cougar backfield, but he is young like Hill (Williams is just 18 years old). Texas must shut down Williams, which cripples the BYU play action game and meets key #3…force Hill to try and win the game.
5. Try to block a punt at least once
Texas will be wary of the fake after getting caught by the Aggies last week to be certain. That said, BYU had a punt blocked last week and the Longhorns could easily get one again. In what may break down into a field position game, the “thud” would be huge for the Horns, and demoralizing to a BYU team who already saw defeat snatched from the jaws of victory in Virginia.
6. Tackle Tackle Tackle Fundamentals Fundamentals Fundamentals
I’ll keep saying it every week, but after missing 8.6 per game last year on average, the Longhorns missed 7 tackles for 32 yards gained last week. Â BYU could make that 32 into 100+ and a TD with the blend of talent and age they have. Texas must play sound fundamental football and get the ball carrier down every time. New Mexico State was fun, but this is grown man football in a hostile environment. Time to step up your game Horns.
