Texas vs. Kansas: Defense improving
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Rix's Radar: Ball protection
STATS to watch
By Carter Strickland
One of the reasons Texas has been successful in the passing game -- with the exception of the Oklahoma game -- is because David Ash has had time to throw. The sophomore quarterback's offensive line has allowed just 8 hurries, the second-fewest in the Big 12. Ash has been sacked only 5.5 times and knocked down just 22 times.
Ash is not likely to get to much pressure this week, as Kansas is anemic when it comes to putting on a pass rush. The Jayhawks have averaged just 1 sack per game, ranking 111th in FBS.
And before KU decides to blitz it might want to check out what Ash has done when teams send five or more. The sophomore completes 67.4 percent of his passes against blitzes for 8 yards per attempt and has thrown 4 touchdowns against 1 interception.
Read our stats that matter here. ![]()
All Access: White Uniforms
HORNSNATION PREDICTIONS
Max Olson: Texas 49, Kansas 17
Carter Strickland: Texas 42, Kansas 14
William Wilkerson: Texas 40, Kansas 13
Read the staff's full predictions here. ![]()
FOUR DOWNS: Bad records
By Sean Adams
The Texas defense is still on pace to shatter some school records of distinction. While these records are not the distinction that anyone wants, they are distinctions nonetheless. The Longhorns are on pace to allow an incredible 6,138 yards this season. If they were to hit that total it would be a school record by more than 1,300 yards.
They should be able to pull down that average this weekend against Kansas, but there is no denying that the 2012 Texas defense is one of the worst of the Mack Brown era and, at least statistically, one of the worst, period.
Read Adams' "Four Downs" here. ![]()
Going deep with Davis
By Carter Strickland
If David Ash goes deep he is usually going to go to Mike Davis. In seven games, Ash has targeted Davis on nine throws of 25 yards or more. The junior wide receiver has caught five of them.
That's a huge switch from last season. While Davis was still a downfield target -- Ash went to him eight times on throws of 25 yards or more -- he only caught two of those passes.
Ash said it is not that he specifically targeting Davis over other receivers. In fact, Davis' overall targets are not up from last season. He was targeted 6.5 times per game in 2011 and has been targeted 6.6 this season.
"I just read the defense and try to find the open guy," Ash said. "Mike has done a good job getting open. It's not a fluke."
It's just that: Davis has made the most of the balls thrown his way.
Stories Of The Week

Some of the top Texas stories from HornsNation in case you missed them:
• UT defense struggling by Big 12 standards
• Mack Brown frustrated by 'baby steps'
• Longhorns ramp up practice physicality
• Brown expresses concern over LHN
• Kansas starting freshman quarterback
• Texas trying to get Daje Johnson involved
• Five storylines: Texas vs. Kansas
• Film review: Five stops that beat Baylor
• Texas diversifies running game vs. Baylor
For more discussion, check out The Tower ![]()
The Recruiting Trail
Longhorns recruiting tidbits:
• The Heard: In-depth Texas recruiting notes ![]()
• Small-town WR Cannon has big-time plans ![]()
• Q&A: 2014 athlete Javon Arnett likes Texas ![]()
• Fixing sleep issues a boon for Jake Raulerson ![]()
• Five from Friday: Tyrone Swoopes' team 0-7 ![]()
For more, check out RecruitingNation


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