Texas vs. Rice: 5 Things to Watch for

The season opener for the Texas football team is behind them. While the loss to the Fighting Irish left many questions regarding the capacity of this team unanswered, the game against the Rice Owls on Saturday night provides an opportunity for Charlie Strong’s guys to respond.

The Longhorns hold a current twelve game winning-streak against Rice. They would like to make it thirteen.

Here are five things I’ll be watching for when the Longhorns and Owls meet

1. How much Jerrod Heard plays

It may be a stretch for Heard to lead the offense out on the field on Saturday, although I could make the case he should, but he needs to play more than one series (see last weekend). Tyrone Swoopes has shown very little as of late, so it’s high-time for Texas to see what Heard can do. Give the redshirt freshman some on-the-job training. It’s how he will get better and feel more comfortable. If Jay Norvell decides to stick with Swoopes, it is imperative that Heard’s workload increases. His athleticism and dual-threat capabilities offer better protection for the offensive line and the Texas tailbacks. Strong and the staff have said “the tie goes to the younger guy.” Let’s see if that manifests itself on Saturday at DKR.

2. Does Johnathan Gray actually get carries?

In my opinion a significant component in the demotion of Shawn Watson to coaching quarterbacks exclusively was the lack of touches by Johnathan Gray. Gray is the best offensive player on the team and a senior leader. It’s time to let the former Gatorade National Player of the Year live up to his five-star billing. As long as Gray gets consistent touches, the pressure on Swoopes or Heard lessens greatly. Averaging five yards a carry at Notre Dame is not a bad way to start his senior season, but instead of eight carries (see Notre Dame game), lets push that up to eighteen or twenty-five.

3. With Norvell, does Texas actually run a spread?

Jay Norvell has experience running the spread offense. Watson does not, plain and simple. The Rice game provides a prime opportunity for Norvell to showcase his abilities as an offensive coordinator. With all due respect to Rice, the Owls are a less-talented team than the Fighting Irish, and the game is at home for Texas. Look for Texas to take most of the snaps out of the gun and for three and four wide receivers sets to be used a lot. The quarterbacks will try and quick-release passes to the outside in order to give an inexperienced offensive line time to protect.

4. What does the offensive line look like?

Texas’ offensive line lacked tremendously at Notre Dame. As a whole, the recruiting and development of offensive linemen at Texas has plunged since 2009. This manifested itself in Strong starting two true freshmen on the line in South Bend. I’ll be looking to see how clean the pocket is for the quarterback and how much time he has to make a read and deliver a pass. I’ll also be looking to see how well they are able to create holes and running lanes to try and spring Gray for big gains. A mistake would be to underestimate the Rice defensive line. They are a talented group that recently had a defensive tackle drafted in the 6th round of the NFL Draft. The Longhorns are probably lucky he’s gone.

5. Freshmen taking on a bigger role

Fifteen freshmen played in the Notre Dame game. Some of them, like Malik Jefferson, Connor Williams and Patrick Vahe played a lot. Several more made some really great plays on special teams. The youth movement is in full swing in Austin and we should expect that to continue. Charlie Strong’s patience with older players that possess an “entitled” mentality is growing thin. If their indifference continues he will continue to offer playing time and even starting roles to his young players.