This Saturday, the Longhorns will square up against the nation’s 24th-ranked team in the Kansas Jayhawks. Today, our Devon Messinger and Dylan DeRaud name their X-factors to watch in Saturday’s top-25 matchup in the YouTube video above.
To watch their reaction to last weekend’s 38-6 win over the Baylor Bears, click here.
Messinger’s X-factors:
Facing the nation’s 25th-ranked rushing defense, the Texas offensive line will be challenged on Saturday. Last weekend against BYU, Kansas only allowed a total of nine rushing yards. Of course, against Kansas, Texas will attempt to continue to roll on the ground, having rushed for a total of four touchdowns last weekend against the Baylor Bears. However, the offensive line will be the X-factor on Saturday as they will also be tasked with providing Quinn Ewers, who will likely need to shoulder more of the load offensively, with a clean pocket.
DeRaud’s X-factors:
When Texas takes on Kansas, the spotlight will be firmly on a pivotal clash: the Texas secondary versus the arm of Jalon Daniels. Recently, Texas showed vulnerabilities defending the passing game against Baylor. Kansas, known for their ground game this season, also boasts talented receivers led by Lawrence Arnold, who is primed to exploit any defensive lapses.
In this showdown, Jahdae Barron and Ryan Watts will play a critical role in containing Kansas’ passing game. With Texas looking to prioritize stopping Kansas’ dynamic running game with their front seven, Barron and Watts must elevate their performance to secure the secondary. Jalon Daniels has been impressive this year, with a 74.7% completion rate, 705 yards, 5 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. His completion rate ranks second in the Big 12, and he’s the conference’s second-best in yards per attempt at 9.4. To win, Texas must stifle Kansas’ rushing attack, forcing them into predictable passing situations and putting Daniels’ deep ball accuracy to the test. With Texas’ sole weakness being their secondary as of late, this matchup presents a significant challenge that could determine the game’s outcome.
