Keys to the Game: Texas vs New Mexico State

Should be fairly simple this week, but we all know a 52-7 win is going to make the fan base feel much better than a 37-17 win. To make things right with the world headed to Provo next week, the Longhorns must:

1. Tackle, Tackle, Tackle, Fundamentals, Fundamentals, Fundamentals

If New Mexico State is man enough to lay their junk on the table, drive down the field, and score a touchdown, that’s one thing. Not that anyone wants to see that, but after watching Wyoming get cheap yards last year, not to mention making studs out of guys who quit school like Andrew Buie of West Virginia, the Longhorns better not come out again with crap tackling and blown assignments. No two guys following the man in motion like against Oklahoma State. No guys I’ve never heard of getting 200 yards. None of that mess.

2. Take away the Aggies passing game

I want to see the Aggies have to run the football a lot out of their spread tonight. That means this new secondary did its job and gave them no other option but to feed their running backs to an angry Texas front. “Scrimmage” or not, we need to see solid play out of guys like Mykkele Thompson.

3. Win at the point of attack

This is an experienced, large offensive line now in Searles and Wylie’s 3rd seasons. This front needs to consistently blow New Mexico State off the line of scrimmage. I believe in their ability to pass block. We need to see nasty downhill power football out of this group.

4. Don’t turn the ball over

Football is such a simple game isn’t it? Part of seeing this growth I’ve heard about from David Ash will be not throwing interceptions or dangerous passes. What won’t hurt against the Aggies will hurt the next couple weeks.

5. Get Swoopes and the freshmen who did not redshirt some good snaps running the offense.

The time may come where these guys are called upon to perform, and this is the only chance to get them meaningful snaps against a live opposing defense before things get real. That said, it does nothing to put these guys in and just run vanilla plays. Be a boss Mack, make them stop you. Care more about the team than the image of kicking the little guy. Unless you beat the Aggies 84-0 (Im looking at you Gundy), you’ve got no shame to feel.

6. Get off the field healthy

Don’t have Ash in there if the score gets above a 35 point margin. Get the starters in, worked, and out to be fresh and ready for BYU. No one wants to see a guy go down like say Mark Sanchez did in the garbage minutes of a preseason game.

A few simple things this week will be a sign of great things to come for the Longhorns. Let’s hope we see some or all tonight.

-Whisenant