Last season, Texas football aimed to capitalize with its star-studded roster, consisting of five-star then-redshirt freshman Quinn Ewers and now NFL halfback Bijan Robinson. But things went awry for the Longhorns as they struggled with miscues and sloppy playmaking. As the projected Big 12 champion this season and soon-to-be SEC team, Texas must target these key issues to enjoy sustainable success this season.
The Deep Ball
Ewers’ 2022 season had highs and lows, mainly concerning the quarterback’s arm. The redshirt sophomore suffered a clavicle sprain that sidelined him for three games before he returned against Oklahoma. Ewers’ downfield accuracy, in particular, needs improvement. Last season, his completion percentage finished at 58.1%, placing him 100th in the nation and seventh in the Big 12. Although Ewers’ arm is among the best, one could argue his early-season injury shook his poise in the pocket against foes like Oklahoma State. When questioned about deep ball accuracy, Ewers remained confident after a successful spring game performance.
“I think we really took time and worked on the deep balls and got the timing down and the depth and the angles of all the routes,” Ewers said. “We’re just going to build up from here on out, and I’m excited.”
Texas’ offensive success will ride with Ewers, and if this team wants to compete, Ewers’ efficiency must skyrocket.
Third and Fourth Down Defense
The Longhorn defense significantly improved in the 2022 season. After giving up 31.1 points per game in 2021, Texas’ defense only gave up 21.6 points per game in 2022. But certain concerns still exposed this defense — especially in clutch situations. Texas’ opponent third-down percentage stood at 41.31%, ranking 94th in the nation, and their opponent fourth-down percentage closed at 57.1%. These stats showed against Texas Tech last season when the Longhorns allowed six out of eight fourth-down attempts in Lubbock. Better ball pressure that finishes plays for good could correct these incredibly under-average defensive numbers.
Finishing Plays
The Texas defense must finish plays in the clutch to compete nationally. In 13 games, Texas garnered 27 sacks and 173 sack yards, finishing at 71st in the nation. While Texas’ pressure remained consistent, the lack of closers in the pocket was a glaring issue. While sacks don’t equal wins, this correction could catapult Texas to the next level with an already dependable rush defense.
Fumble recoveries also require work. The Longhorns forced 11 fumbles but only recovered four (36.36%), concluding 119th in the nation behind Oklahoma. Creating more turnovers could play a key role in the team’s improvement.
