Texas was able to prevail in Ames last Saturday night against Iowa State. After the Big 12 front office confused several media outlets, it was determined that the Longhorns’ win did not clinch a Big 12 Championship Game berth. However Texas still controls their own destiny to reach Arlington. With a win against Texas Tech on Friday night the Longhorns will find themselves back in the Big 12 Championship for the first time since 2018. After all the trash-talking Texas Tech Head Coach Joey Mcguire did after the win in Lubbock last year, motivation shouldn’t be an issue. It doesn’t stop there. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark did something never seen before from a conference commissioner. Openly stating at a Texas Tech fundraising event last summer that he will be in Austin for Thanksgiving and he hopes Texas Tech beats Texas again.
It’s fitting on senior night, with all the team has been through, that they have a chance to win at home and make the Big 12 Championship Game. This group has been through a global pandemic and coaching changes and now they have the opportunity to give Texas their 4th and final Big 12 Championship before heading to the SEC. Nobody on the roster currently was here for the Longhorns’ last Big 12 Title appearance in 2018. Let’s dive into what Texas needs to do to get to Arlington and beat Texas Tech in the final scheduled meeting between the schools.
Containing RB Tahj Brooks
Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks is the Red Raiders’ bell cow on offense. After many criticized Joey Mcguire and company the first half of the season for not giving Brooks enough touches, the game plan has changed drastically in the second half of the year. Ove the last four games Brooks is averaging over 31 touches a game. He is used mostly in the run game but he has the hands to catch the ball as well.
Texas has the ability to shut down the run against anybody in the nation in large part to the interior duo of T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. Regardless of opponent, Sweat and Murphy have dominated this year. That was no different in Ames last week when Iowa State ended the game with just 9 rushing yards. This Texas Tech team isn’t the team many are used to when watching the Red Raiders. They will run the ball regardless of how good Texas is at stopping it. If Texas is able to stop the run like they have all year, it will make them one dimensional, making it extremely difficult to move the ball on Texas. If Tech can’t run the ball at all it’s hard to envision how they win Friday.
Texas Defense needs to get off the field
One of the biggest things Sark and company have emphasized this year is getting off the field when opportunity presents itself for the defense. And, one of the biggest reasons that is an area of focus for Texas is because of the Texas Tech game last year. In the 34-31 Texas Tech victory the Red Raiders went 6-8 on 4th down. One or two 4th down conversions can be back-breaking but 6 is unheard of.
Texas Tech will once again be approaching the game with a “nothing to lose” mentality. Expect Joey Mcguire to leave everything on the field in the regular season finale. This is the last time he is scheduled to play the Red Raiders’ arch rival. Expect them to go for it on 4th down, look for trick plays and fake punts or field goals. Texas has to be ready for everything or they will be in for a long night.
Ewers being on point will be critical
Since returning from his injury against TCU, Quinn Ewers has been good but not great. He likely isn’t 100 percent and that is playing a part in why he hasn’t been as effective as he was prior to injury. The team is 2-0 since his return with both wins coming on the road, so you won’t find many complaints from the Texas staff or Texas fans. That being said we all know what Ewers and the weapons around him are capable of.
It likely will be Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell’s last games in DKR. They will be looking to put on a show under the lights with everyone watching. Sark will draw up great plays like always, creating opportunities for Ewers and his great WR duo to connect. If Texas wants to make a statement to the CFP Committee, what is a better way than airing it out in the home finale on ABC Primetime.
