Tag: Texas vs Oklahoma Red River Showdown

Texas offense: Discussing the use of bubble screens

How often will Steve Sarkisian use bubble screens against Oklahoma? We discuss.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian likes bubble screens. After watching Longhorns receiver Xavier Worthy break this play as a freshman in burnt orange, it’s hard to fault Sarkisian for his fondness for the play. Even so, the play has more important value than getting a positive gain.

Bubble screens, like downfield shots, set up other plays in the playbook whether they are successful or not. You run those plays to open up other plays. In particular, bubble screens help prevent linebackers from sitting between the tackles, potentially manipulate safeties in future plays, make cornerbacks tackle and take on blocks, and force each position to defend the perimeter.

Though Sarkisian’s bubble screens did not net great results against Kansas, and perhaps were the reason the Longhorns did not score on a drive or two, they did set up a 218 yard rushing day for starting running back Jonathon Brooks. It’s what they set up that creates play calling value.

What about the use of receiver screens on Saturday?

The Oklahoma defense is bound to attack the Texas offense in this game. It likely wants to take away any easy throw from Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers. With that comes the likelihood that Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables will clamp down on the bubble screen like Baylor and Kansas have the last two weeks. It is still a set up play, and could open up more for the offense.

While Texas shouldn’t call the play in critical points of a drive, its value is still worthy being called. The danger comes in doubling down on the bubble screen as a solution like the previous coaching staff did in 2019 and 2020 losses to the aggressive Sooners. It’s not a solution. It’s an effective tool.

Oklahoma wants to take away easy completions. Texas probably knows that. Even so, success in this game is about setting a tone that the Sooners will have to defend every blade of grass on Saturday. The Longhorns need to do that in this game whether they use the screen or not.

Both teams will look to set their own tone and make a statement Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ABC.

Predicting the best games of Week 6 including Texas and Oklahoma

We predict the best games and more from the Week 6 slate.

We near the midseason mark of the 2023 college football regular season. As it always should be, the Red River game is the focal point of the week in which it is played. It wasn’t last season.

The 2022 matchup is irrelevant to this game, but it was a snoozer nationally before it was played. Both teams has two losses heading into the game. This year is different. Squads on either side are aiming to make their playoff case in the rivalry game.

Another rivalry, though contrived, takes place in College Station. Alabama and Texas A&M face each other for what will undoubtedly be a hard-fought battle.

Let’s look at a few of our picks for the Week 6 slate.

Josh Pate predicts Texas wins, covers against Oklahoma

“The more I look at it, the more I feel the game out, the more I think Texas feels like they’re a year ahead of where Oklahoma is.”

Respected college football voice Josh Pate is buying the Texas Longhorns this week. He is doing so for the short-term and long-term. Continue reading “Josh Pate predicts Texas wins, covers against Oklahoma”