Texas Longhorns

Big 12
Originally Published: October 12, 2012

TEXAS VS. OU: LONGHORNS' SHOW STOPPERS

By Carter Strickland
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas has told its players the individual matchups are the ones that matter. Win those and the Longhorns will win the game.


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Sean Adams: Edge to Texas

STATS to watch

By Carter Strickland

David Ash
David Ash
Texas could have the advantage when it comes to the vertical passing game. David Ash has completed 60 percent of his passes of 20 yards or more and has six completions of 30 or more yards. Landry Jones, on the other hand, has completed just 26 percent of his passes of 20 or more yards.

But this might be the week for OU to get its vertical passing game going. Texas has allowed eight completions of 30 or more yards. The Longhorns only allowed 11 such completions all of last season. Texas has also allowed eight touchdown passes of 20 or more yards in the past seven games. Through the first 11 games in 2011, the defense did not surrender one such touchdown pass.

Then again, Jones has completed 3 of 14 passes thrown 20 yards or longer in three career games against Texas with no touchdown passes.

Read our stats that matter here. Insider

Ash ready to lead

HORNSNATION PREDICTIONS

Sean Adams: Texas 27, Oklahoma 24
Max Olson: Oklahoma 38, Texas 35
Carter Strickland: Oklahoma 31, Texas 28

William Wilkerson: Texas 28, Oklahoma 24

Read the staff's full predictions here. Insider

Preview: Brad Edwards

FOUR DOWNS: Pressure Jones

By Sean Adams

Sean Adams
Sean Adams

Everyone knew coming into the season that West Virginia had an explosive offense with huge stars on that side of the ball. The plan going into that game last Saturday was about stopping the passing game, getting pressure with the front four and really not thinking about the Mountaineers running game. But the running game killed the Longhorns.

Against Oklahoma the plan changes completely. Stopping the run is at a premium and the goal is to pressure Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones. Pressure has caused him to turn the ball over and make mistakes. The Texas defense is in strong need of the confidence that comes from forcing turnovers.

While every defense wants to start out by stopping the run, forcing Jones to beat Texas is the best way to initiate and force turnovers by the Sooner offense.

Read Adams' four downs here. Insider

Rivalry renewed on Saturday

Stories Of The Week

HornsNation

Some of the top Texas stories from HornsNation in case you missed them:

• Harsin clicking in Year 2 at Texas

• Texas D-line will key Red River for Horns

• For Gray, there's no looking back

• D.J. Monroe is Texas' showstopper

• Five storylines: Texas vs. Oklahoma

• Vaccaro at a loss over Texas' issues

• Three questions on Texas vs. OU

• Red River Rivalry roundtable: 5 questions

For more discussion, check out The Tower Insider

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The Recruiting Trail

RN Longhorns recruiting tidbits:

• The Heard: In-depth Texas recruiting notes Insider

• Skyline players to attend Texas-OU game Insider

• RRR recruiting: Does it make a difference? Insider

• Chevoski Collins commits to Texas Insider

• UT commit Robinson still planning visits Insider

• Q&A: 2014 LB David talks recruitment Insider

• Injury ends UT commit Warrick's season Insider

• Hughes remains upbeat despite tough year Insider

For more, check out RecruitingNation