3 defensive keys to a Sooners win against the SMU Mustangs

Oklahoma’s defense will have a talented offense to stop come Saturday. Take a look at three keys for the defense to be successful vs. SMU.

Saturday evening in Norman should provide the Oklahoma Sooners with a mini benchmark to test their defense’s off-season improvements. Instead of a defunct and rebuilding Arkansas State team, their defense will have to take on an SMU team with playmakers at every skill position and a veteran offensive line.

It won’t be a walk in the park, and Oklahoma’s defense knows this because their head coach knows this. Earlier this week, Brent Venables addressed the media and had this to say.

“The challenge is going to be greater this week for obvious reasons,” Venables said. “You’re looking at a team that’s probably got more depth and certainly got more experience. Arkansas State was a very young team. (SMU) has 15 seniors starting between the offense and the defense. That’s a bunch of seniors.”

SMU’s offense has multiple playmakers capable of giving Oklahoma problems. Still, the Sooners’ team speed and their improvement in overall talent can shine through if they play smart.

There are a handful of things Oklahoma can’t allow to happen if they want to win this game. Here are three defensive keys to a Sooners win Saturday night in Norman.

Up Next: 3 Keys to the Game

Three Oklahoma Defenders we’ll have our eye on this weekend against SMU

Oklahoma will have its hand full Saturday against a talented SMU Mustangs squad. These three defenders could make all the difference.

Last week against Arkansas State was as stress-free as Okalhoma will feel throughout the season. Things won’t always feel as easy. That time for breezing through a game 73-0 is behind the Sooners. They welcome a much more talented team to Norman in the form of Rhett Lashlee’s SMU Mustangs.

Brent Venables’ defense passed their first hurdle with no slip-ups and nothing to sweat. The pass rush was not overwhelming, but Oklahoma’s chances to get home were limited because the Red Wolves were in seven and eight-man protections and operating using three-step drops.

SMU won’t do that. They have too many playmakers they want on the field and will take their chances with five or six-man protections. They want to have as many options out in routes as possible. It should provide Oklahoma with a window to attack and try and rattle Preston Stone, SMU’s young but talented quarterback.

The Mustangs’ ground game features two quality running backs, Jaylan Knighton and LJ Johnson. Both can hit the home run play, but Knighton is not as big nor as physical of a runner as Johnson.

How will defensive coordinator Ted Roof combat this talented SMU offense? We’ll find out on Saturday. But we believe three players on defense will need big days for Oklahoma to bottle up this talented SMU offense.

Up Next: 3 players to watch on defense

Reggie Pearson Jr., FS

The transfer from Texas Tech, Reggie Pearson Jr., has started over 30 games and offers valuable experience on the back end of the Oklahoma defense.

Arkansas State could not stress Oklahoma vertically but expect that to change with SMU.

SMU receivers Jordan Hudson and Key’Shawn Smith can move. The Mustangs won’t be afraid to try to test Pearson. Seeing how Pearson responds to being put into more stressful situations from a coverage standpoint could dictate how effective SMU’s offense is.

Danny Stutsman, WLB

The leader of Oklahoma’s defense, Danny Stutsman, will always be a defender to watch. However, this choice isn’t solely about his actual play but more about how well he leads and orchestrates things on defense.

Oklahoma finally gets a bit of a challenge to show the improvements they’ve made as a defense.

Stutsman was in the middle of everything last year. If he wants to elevate himself, he’ll have to lead by example. He’ll also need to make sure his teammates play sound football. His fellow linebackers need to fill gaps, get off blocks, and show an understanding of their roles.

SMU has a pair of running backs that could gash the Sooners if Oklahoma isn’t assignment-sound.

Up Next: A player on the prowl

Justin Harrington, Cheetah

Justin Harrington may have the most challenging matchup of anyone come Saturday.

Mustangs’ tight end R.J. Maryland is a matchup nightmare for most teams. Most teams don’t have the players to match up with Maryland’s 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame.

50/50 balls to him are more 80/20 than anything. Oklahoma has not one but two possible solutions for this at cheetah. But with sophomore transfer Dasan McCullough banged up, Harrington figures to get the assignment come Saturday.

How Harrington uses his length and athleticism to match Maryland will be interesting. If he can nullify SMU’s talented tight end, it will go a long way to slowing down a talented SMU offense.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Know the Foe: 5 Mustangs to know before Oklahoma Sooners vs. SMU

Oklahoma will take on the SMU Mustangs. We take a look at five players to know for this Saturday’s matchup.

Oklahoma has turned the page on Arkansas State and is in preparation mode for their second game of the season. SMU will make the trip from Dallas to Norman for Saturday night’s matchup.

Oklahoma comes in with a nice boost of confidence after dismantling the Red Wolves last week 73-0. SMU comfortably handled Louisiana Tech 38-14. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is someone Brent Venables has locked horns with before.

Lashlee was previously an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Miami in 2020. In that game, Venables and the Clemson Tigers held the Hurricanes in check in a 42-17 win.

SMU provides a bump in competition for the Sooners, especially at the skill positions. They have several talented players and are more dynamic than what Oklahoma saw in their first game.

We’ve highlighted five Mustangs you need to know before Oklahoma hosts SMU on Saturday.

Four Texas A&M players enter the transfer portal

Four Aggies have already hit the transfer portal.

Texas A&M finished out a disappointing 5-7 campaign with a win over No. 5 LSU on Saturday. While the Aggies ended 2022 on a bit of a high note, the transfer portal is already becoming a factor in College Station.

Four Texas A&M players entered the transfer portal over the course of the last week. Defensive end Donell Harris, linebacker Ish Harris, defensive end Elijah Jeudy and running back LJ Johnson.

All four players were highly sought-after high school prospects who could not put it together at A&M.

Many of the players on Texas and Texas A&M’s roster were recruited by both schools. It will be interesting to see if Steve Sarkisian and his staff have any intent to pursue the former Aggies.

No doubt the transfer portal is going to run its course with every team in the nation this offseason. We have officially reached college football free agency.

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Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Aggie Running back LJ Johnson has entered the transfer portal

Aggie Running back LJ Johnson has entered the transfer portal

Another one bites the dust, I guess. That makes three transfers for Texas A&M on the first official day of the offseason, this time running back LJ Johnson Jr., coming out of the 2021 recruiting class, entered his name into the transfer portal on Sunday afternoon.

Johnson joins defensive end Elijah Jeudy, a member of the 2021 recruitment class, and linebacker Ish Harris, the first member of the 2022 recruiting class to enter his name into the portal, although Johnson’s decision does not come as too much of a surprise. Coming into the 2022 season, Johnson, a high 4-Star recruit out of Cypress, Texas, was buried on the running back depth chart behind Devon Achane, Amari Daniels, and freshman Le’veon Moss.

Even with the lack of snaps, however, Johnson rushed for 39 yards on 10 carries and scored 2 touchdowns, one against Miami, and one in the loss to Mississippi State. Standing at 5’10”, 215 lbs, Johnson is very talented and capable in the backfield, and after dealing with several injury-related issues over the last couple of seasons, I sincerely hope that he finds a program that fits his skill set, where he can thrive for years to come.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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Jimbo Fisher clears the air during weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference

Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher clears up some lingering rumors regarding the program during Tuesday’s weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference

The Aggies have dealt with more adversity within their program than any FBS team during the 2022 college football season, and no, I’m not overexaggerating.

Just as a healthy reminder, news broke on Monday night from TexAgs owner Billy Liucci that three freshman members of the roster including wide receiver Chris Marshall, cornerback Denver Harris, and offensive lineman PJ Williams were suspended indefinitely after an incident in the locker room after the team’s Week 8 road loss to South Carolina combined with redshirt freshman running back LJ Johnson’s surprising no show during Monday’s practice.

Let me remind you that these are 18 to 19-year-old young men that made a minor mistake, while Fisher just wants the best for their futures. Rule of thumb, it’s safe to say that when Liucci confirms internal issues concerning Texas A&M, we’re all ears.

On Tuesday during the weekly SEC Coaches Teleconference, head coach Jimbo Fisher quickly cleared a couple of things up as soon as he had the chance, first stating that LJ Johnson is in fact still with the team despite the unfounded rumors making their way through social media, but declined to comment when asked about the three player suspensions, coming as no surprise due to the internal nature of the situation.

Lastly, when asked about quarterback Haynes King’s status going into the Aggie’s Week 9 home matchup with Ole Miss, Fisher states that “he’s doing very well”, and will be available against the Rebels this Saturday night.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty

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National Signing Day: Top 50 RB LJ Johnson signs with Texas A&M

Top 50 Cy-Fair (Texas) running back LJ Johnson signed with Texas A&M on Wednesday afternoon.

Top 50 Cy-Fair (Texas) running back LJ Johnson signed with Texas A&M on Wednesday afternoon, bringing an end to a recruitment that featured plenty of twists and turns.

Johnson ultimately picked Texas A&M over Texas, who was perceived to be the favorite at multiple points throughout his recruitment. Johnson has already graduated from high school and intended to have a decision made during the Early Signing Period so he could enroll in the spring semester at his school of choice, but will now focus on training and preparing for his summertime arrival at Texas A&M. Johnson held a whopping 40 offers at the time of his commitment, with Georgia and LSU factoring into his recruitment alongside Texas and Texas A&M.

Johnson dominated in his senior season at Cy-Fair, earning offensive MVP honors in his district after rushing for 1,262 yards and 20 touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 255 yards and three scores. According to 247Sports’ Brian Perroni, he is Texas A&M’s highest-rated running back commit and first five-star tailback since it landed Trey Williams in the class of 2022.

Johnson is the No. 45 recruit, No. 4 running back and No. 9 prospect in Texas in the class of 2021 according to 247Sports. His scouting report reads:

Solidly built with naturally lower center of gravity to provide for prototypical running back stature. Combines impressive big-play ability with high-volume grind. Consistently shows good lateral foot quickness and can make defenders miss in the hole. At his best as a downhill hole-puncher with one-cut explosiveness. Run leverage is good and compounded by functional strength, particularly in the lower body. Verified top-end speed with a 4.42 40 that dates to sophomore year. Promising block-following instincts and vision. Displays consistently good contact balance with strength to run through arm tackles. Also flashes an effective stiff-arm. Rushing production noticeably dropped from junior to senior year, including yards per carry (9.4 to 7.1). Run-finishing urgency not as consistent as junior performance, but pass-catching reps ticked slightly upward. No doubt one of the nation’s top 2021 running backs. Should become a multi-year impact starter and likely possess an early-round NFL Draft ceiling.

Texas Football Recruiting: Five recruits Steve Sarkisian must land

Without stepping a foot on campus, the intrigue of coming to play for UT has been reignited. Here are five recruits Sarkisian must land:

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Tom Herman’s recruiting success came to a screeching halt during the 2021 cycle. And once Quinn Ewers decommited, the 2022 class was going to take a wrong turn as well. Despite finishing with three top 10 classes in three years, recruiting at an elite level was nearly dead in Austin.

Insert Steve Sarkisian, one of the top offensive recruiters during his time at Alabama. Without stepping a foot on campus just yet, the intrigue of coming to play for the University of Texas has seemingly been reignited. His reported staff is filled with top-notch recruiters on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

“We cannot let the top talent in the state of Texas leave the state of Texas,” said Sarkisian at his introductory Zoom press conference. It was something Herman was letting the Crimson Tide, Ohio State, and Oklahoma do on a yearly basis. Getting off to a fast start after the national championship is going to be crucial.

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Here are five recruits Steve Sarkisian must land in the 2021 and 2022 class:

Texas Football Recruiting: Five 2021 prospects the Longhorns need to push for next

Despite the recent success, the 2021 class has still not been good enough from Herman. Here are five recruits Texas should push for next:

To some surprise, recruiting in the 2021 class has been good for Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns. Beginning with Terrence Cooks, Texas was able to secure his commitment over schools such as Baylor, LSU, and Georgia. A four-star outside linebacker, Cooks and Morice Blackwell will lock down the position for Chris Ash in the near future.

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More recently, the Longhorns were able to flip defensive tackle Byron Murphy II out of DeSoto, Texas. Originally committed to Baylor, after Texas offered the four-star prospect, the recruitment suddenly changed. Much needed help across the defensive line is on its way with Murphy.

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Despite the recent success, the 2021 class has still not been good enough from Herman. Losing out on major players such as the Brockermeyer brothers and seeing Jalen Milroe flip to Alabama, Texas has lost its top prospects throughout the entire cycle.

As Joel Klatt of FOX Sports mentioned, the Longhorns have “lost that luster in the state.” Other schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M have stolen recruits from Texas.

That “certainly wasn’t the case when Mack [Brown] was winning a lot of games” said Klatt.

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Herman still has the opportunity to flip all of that around with a couple of top in-state prospects still available. The Aggies and the Sooners are in these races as well, making them even more important for the coaching staff to win.

Here are the five 2021 recruits Texas should push for next:

Locked on Longhorns: ‘New NCAA rules for 2020 college football season’

Locked on Longhorns Podcast discusses the new NCAA rules. Plus an update to the running backs and 2021 RB names top four schools.

Locked on Longhorns Podcast on Wednesday started off the show discussing the new NCAA rule changes for 2020. With the targeting rule changing, does it make sense? What are some of the new guidelines for officials? What about the restricted area? Cami and Patrick go over a handful of the new rules and how they impact the upcoming season.

Head coach Tom Herman has been reluctant to name a starter at running back. So will there be a starter or is this running back by committee? Will they ride the hot hand? Plus who do we think sees the most action against UTEP?

ESPN released their updated SP+ rankings. Where do they see Texas finishing? What are their rankings for offense and defense? Are they reasonable. Plus we discussed where USA TODAY Sports is projecting the Big 12 to finish.

Texas 2021 target at running back LJ Johnson finally revealed his top four schools for his commitment. Any surprises? The Longhorns also offered 2022 USC commit. Plus the award named after Longhorns Legend Earl Campbell named their watchlist. Who made the list? We breakdown the list from a Big 12 perspective.