Behind Enemy Lines: Texas
TCU has won six of the eight meetings between the Frogs and Longhorns since joining the Big 12 and will look for their seventh victory in the series this weekend in Austin.
The Frogs lost their opener at home to Iowa State and Texas needed overtime to beat Texas Tech last week so this game could go either way. We caught up with Orangebloods.com's Jason Suchomel to discuss the match up.
Is this the best you’ve seen Sam Ehlinger? What seems different about him this year?
It is. Ehlinger has obviously had some highs throughout his career at Texas, including some games that stack up with any quarterback that’s ever come through the Texas program. But through two weeks, he’s playing at a level better than he’s played previously. Obviously, the key issue for him and Texas will be to see if he can continue to play at this level.
He did throw one interception last week against Texas Tech, but he’s protecting the ball well, he’s been efficient (71% completion rate) and any time you’ve thrown 10 touchdowns through 10 games (and added one on the ground) you’re doing something right.
As much as anything he’s done physically, Ehlinger has made it look pretty easy from a mental perspective. He really seems comfortable in new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s system and is making quick, decisive reads and generally getting the ball to open receivers. His pre- and post-snap recognition has been fantastic.
It looks like he is getting a lot of players involved in the passing game, is that by design or are they waiting for somebody to emerge as the number one guy?
I think it’s a little bit of both. Tom Herman said after week one they’re completely fine spreading the ball around to a number of different receivers, and they didn’t go into the UTEP game planning to get so many guys touches, the game just unfolded that way.
There is depth at the wide receiver position, which is a plus, but I have to believe Texas would love for one or two of their pass catchers to really step up and separate from the pack. Getting slot receiver Jake Smith back this week will help.
It’s not uncommon for teams to go into Lubbock and give up a lot of points. Was the game last week more of an aberration or a sign of shoot outs to come?
Good question. It was only new defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s second game, so I think the jury is still out on this one. Texas is confident it was an anomaly, but I don’t think anyone knows for sure. My guess, considering the history of the Big 12, is that it’s a sign of things to come.
Who needs to step up on that side of the ball to make this defense more formidable?
Everyone on defense needs to tackle better, first and foremost. The entire defense was bad in that area last week and it’s something the team has focused on in practice this week.
For Texas to really succeed, the guys up front need to dominate so getting improved play out of guys like Keondre Coburn and Ta’Quon Graham would help … they’ve been solid but not spectacular. Really though, that could be said of everyone on the defense. Even the guys that are expected to lead that side of the ball – like safety Caden Sterns and linebacker/end Joseph Ossai – have been a bit up and down to start the season.
How do you see the game playing out and what’s your score prediction?
When I break this game down on paper, it looks to me like a contest Texas should win. But I’m not sure you can accurately gauge TCU after just one game of the season. Gary Patterson has UT’s number so you can’t discount that but with the game being played in Austin and with Texas having Sam Ehlinger leading the way, I think the Longhorns win in the neighborhood of 34-24.