As you watch the game today, here are a few things to watch for that will give you an idea of what to think about Texas.
1. Is their quarterback (Heard) able to hit receivers in stride or throw them open?
In watching the two games this season as well as his spring game performance, it is pretty apparent that he is very accurate when throwing to stationary targets. When teams allow him to set his feet and throw to his first read, and that receiver has settled into an open zone, he is very good. However, his accuracy diminishes when his receivers are on the move. The play calling of Texas reflects this as they have not asked him to throw to the middle of the field, settling on spreading the field with routes to the perimeter which are safer and allow more room in the middle to run.
Go back and watch for yourself how open the receivers are to whom he throws the ball. The windows were huge, and although the Cowboy LBs and safeties can occasionally have coverage lapses, you simply do not see receivers consistently running free downfield. Texas will have to make and complete contested throws with much smaller windows in Big 12 play.
2. Will the Cowboy defense be able to actually hit the quarterback?
On 20 run attempts against Cal, Heard was hit only 5 times. Vacating the middle allowed him to run free and take no risk while running. Time and again he would run out of bounds (smartly) to escape contact. How will he respond to physical play and getting hit? Will he slow down with his decisions to pull the ball and take off?
The Cowboy defense can put enough speed on the field to get to him before he gets out of bounds more times than not. Left tackle Connor Williams is outstanding for a freshman, but Texas will not want to have him singled up against Ogbah all game long. Expect some help, which should equate to lots of opportunities for Taylor against Flowers. Inside pressure could be a real key defensively.
3. Mason Rudolph has to be patient, but balance it with quick throws and decisions. Texas under Vance Bedford will bring pressure all game long, and will get some free rushes against Rudolph, particularly off the edge. Shiro Davis is playing better at DE, but it is all about Jefferson and DB blitzes.
The Cowboys should continually attack the linebackers with run and play action. This young group makes athletic plays but gets misaligned and loses gap integrity. The Texas DBs are athletic enough to stay close to OSU receivers in man coverage. Guys will not be running free against them as much as stats coming into the game suggest. Their problems have been lapses in zone coverage, missed tackles, and not locating the ball in coverage down the field.
If Texas decides to stay with lots of deep safety help for their young corners, the Cowboys should be able to make plays in the run game. Watch the match ups against their linebacker kers for indications of how things will go.
1. Is their quarterback (Heard) able to hit receivers in stride or throw them open?
In watching the two games this season as well as his spring game performance, it is pretty apparent that he is very accurate when throwing to stationary targets. When teams allow him to set his feet and throw to his first read, and that receiver has settled into an open zone, he is very good. However, his accuracy diminishes when his receivers are on the move. The play calling of Texas reflects this as they have not asked him to throw to the middle of the field, settling on spreading the field with routes to the perimeter which are safer and allow more room in the middle to run.
Go back and watch for yourself how open the receivers are to whom he throws the ball. The windows were huge, and although the Cowboy LBs and safeties can occasionally have coverage lapses, you simply do not see receivers consistently running free downfield. Texas will have to make and complete contested throws with much smaller windows in Big 12 play.
2. Will the Cowboy defense be able to actually hit the quarterback?
On 20 run attempts against Cal, Heard was hit only 5 times. Vacating the middle allowed him to run free and take no risk while running. Time and again he would run out of bounds (smartly) to escape contact. How will he respond to physical play and getting hit? Will he slow down with his decisions to pull the ball and take off?
The Cowboy defense can put enough speed on the field to get to him before he gets out of bounds more times than not. Left tackle Connor Williams is outstanding for a freshman, but Texas will not want to have him singled up against Ogbah all game long. Expect some help, which should equate to lots of opportunities for Taylor against Flowers. Inside pressure could be a real key defensively.
3. Mason Rudolph has to be patient, but balance it with quick throws and decisions. Texas under Vance Bedford will bring pressure all game long, and will get some free rushes against Rudolph, particularly off the edge. Shiro Davis is playing better at DE, but it is all about Jefferson and DB blitzes.
The Cowboys should continually attack the linebackers with run and play action. This young group makes athletic plays but gets misaligned and loses gap integrity. The Texas DBs are athletic enough to stay close to OSU receivers in man coverage. Guys will not be running free against them as much as stats coming into the game suggest. Their problems have been lapses in zone coverage, missed tackles, and not locating the ball in coverage down the field.
If Texas decides to stay with lots of deep safety help for their young corners, the Cowboys should be able to make plays in the run game. Watch the match ups against their linebacker kers for indications of how things will go.
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