No question that one of the big reasons that the Utah Utes have had success this season is their starting running back Zack Moss. He comes into the Alamo Bowl matchup with 1,359 yards rushing, 374 yards receiving and 17 total touchdowns. The Texas Longhorns defense has to be up to slow down Moss and the Utes offense.
In the Utes’ lone regular season loss before the Pac 12 Championship game, Moss was sidelined for most of that game with a shoulder injury against the Southern California Trojans which resulted in a 30-23 defeat. For Texas, slowing Moss down is their best path to success. Longhorns need to get ahead of Utah to remove the threat of the run game.
Moss is likely heading to the NFL next year so he is talented. His ability to get involved in the passing game as well makes him a big threat, the task of slowing him down will be a tall one but a necessary one. For Texas they have struggled with slowing down the run game this past season. With the dismissal of Todd Orlando, can Texas step up their efforts?
In the Longhorns last four losses they have given up an average of 178 yards on the ground against Oklahoma, Texas Christian, Iowa State and Baylor. The run defense has been a detriment at times for the burnt orange. For Moss he has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in eight of their 12 games and twice rushed for more than 180 yards in a game.
If the Utes get their run game going and are able to control the line of scrimmage and the clock then that will prevent Sam Ehlinger and the offense from having much time to get their offense going and plays into the hand of Utah. The Longhorns big key for the Alamo Bowl victory is keep Moss at bay.