Texas regained its momentum Saturday afternoon with its first conference victory of the season against rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, in a smashing, 23-6 victory.
The Longhorns looked to have a progressive rhythm against No. 6 Oklahoma, particularly in the second half. In a third-quarter surge, Texas hit key third-down conversions and dominated possession against what had been the nation’s top third-down defense.
Texas now continues on its month-long battle of Southeastern Conference road games with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, to face the Kentucky Wildcats, a team known for its physical defense and opportunistic play style. The matchup will test whether the Longhorns can maintain their renewed energy and discipline against a resilient Wildcats team.
Manage Discipline
Texas has struggled with penalties all season. So far, the Longhorns have been flagged 48 times for 414 yards, averaging 69 yards per game. Those self-inflicted setbacks have often stalled promising drives and flipped field position in critical moments.
Texas’s ability to limit penalties and stay efficient on early downs will be crucial to maintain offensive rhythm. The Longhorns’ offense has shown flashes of explosiveness, but too often have mistakes forced them into long-yardage situations that stall momentum.
Lean on the run
The Longhorns’ rushing attack has faced adversity this season, with injuries testing the depth and consistency of the backfield.
Sophomore running back CJ Baxter Jr. went down with a hamstring injury against UTEP, while junior running back Quintrevion Wisner missed three games after a hard hit against Ohio State in the season opener, but has since returned.
Kentucky enters week eight allowing over 150 rushing yards per game. In his second game back from injury, against Oklahoma, Wisner provided stability on the ground, carrying 22 times for 94 yards and catching five passes for 34 additional yards. If Texas can lean on its offensive line to wear down the Wildcats’ front seven, the Longhorns can expect to dictate tempo.
Disruptive Defense
Texas’ defense has been one of the more consistent strengths this season, with an 82.6% stop rate, second in the nation. Against Oklahoma, the Longhorns held the Sooners to 258 total yards and forced three interceptions, with junior defensive back Malik Muhammad hauling in two.
Kentucky’s offense has faced challenges this season, ranking near the bottom of the conference in several categories. They are second to last in average passing yards per game, with 172.2 yards through the air. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley has thrown for 627 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
With Kentucky’s offense struggling to find consistency, Texas’s defense will look to apply pressure on Boley and disrupt the Wildcats’ passing game.
