Going into this year’s Alamo Bowl, Texas and Utah have two different outlooks. Texas is happy to be in such a good bowl game after a disappointing 7-5 season, while Utah was one game away from the College Football Playoff. Despite this, both teams are going to be energized as they will be playing on prime time television on New Year’s Eve.
Losing the Pac 12 championship to Oregon, if the Utes had won that game they would of been playing in a more important game. Most of that was due to their offense success and the threatening duo of Tyler Huntley and Zach Moss. If Texas wants any chance of slowing Utah down, they need to make those two uncomfortable.
Here are three defensive keys for the Longhorns against the Utes:
Containing Zach Moss
Texas has faced some great running backs this season in Chubba Hubbard, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Pooka Williams. Utah’s running back Zach Moss may be the best of the bunch. Rushing for 1,329 yards in the Pac 12 this season, Moss led the conference in yards this season. He also led in rushing touchdowns, having 15.
Running backs have had big games against the Longhorns this season, with Oklahoma State’s Chubba Hubbard having 121 rushing yards and Kansas’ Pooka Williams having 190. If Texas is going to have someone beat them, it needs to be anyone but Moss. He has the ability to run all over defenses and the Longhorns cannot let that happen.
Force Tyler Huntley to throw an interceptions
In the Pac 12 championship against Oregon, Utah’s quarterback Tyler Huntley really struggled after having a solid season for the Utes. Only completing 58.6% of this throws, his lowest of the season. He also threw two interceptions against the Ducks, the same amount he had in the previous 12 games.
Utah is 0-4 in games that Huntley throws multiple interceptions. Texas forced multiple interceptions against Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia this season, going 3-0 in those games. It may sound simple, but if the Longhorns can make Tyler Huntley uncomfortable and throw a couple interceptions, Texas has a great chance of winning on New Year’s Eve.
Get pressure on Tyler Huntley
The way you make Huntley uncomfortable is by getting constant pressure against a solid Utah offensive line. The Utes only gave up 21 sacks this season, the second-fewest in the Pac 12. On the flip side, the Longhorns only had 22 sacks this season, the third-fewest in the Big 12. It would be an excellent time for Texas to start pressuring the quarterback well.
If they do get pressure, they must also contain Huntley, as he can easily make plays with his feet. Contain him inside the pocket, get some sacks, or force him into throws he is uncomfortable making. That would force quick, short drives by the Utah offense and let the Longhorns’ offense be as explosive as everyone knows it can be.
Texas will face Utah on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.
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