The Texas Longhorns remained right in the thick of the Big 12 Conference title chase after a 17-13 victory at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Once again with their backs against the wall, the Longhorns found a way to beat West Virginia in a game where Sam Ehlinger wasn’t at his best. West Virginia had the No. 1 overall defense in the Big 12 and they made life difficult on the offense. However, they couldn’t stop Bijan Robinson when Tom Herman actually put him on the field.
The defense stood tall on Saturday for the third week in a row. It didn’t look great in the early going but the defense is starting to play like the unit many people thought they would get under Chris Ash. Joseph Ossai wasn’t as dominate against the Mountaineers offensive line in terms of pass rush, but the job they did against the run won them the game. According to USA TODAY Sports, the Longhorns were big winners of week 10.
Texas will remain in the thick of the Big 12 chase after winning 17-13 against West Virginia. Unlike in last week’s shootout victory against Oklahoma State, the defense was the driving force behind the Longhorns’ third straight win: Texas gave up just 3.9 yards per play and made several key stops in the fourth quarter. Largely dismissed after losing to Oklahoma last month, the Longhorns are 4-2 in Big 12 play with games ahead against Kansas, Iowa State and Kansas State.
I don’t necessarily agree with Paul Myerberg’s summation about how the defense wasn’t the driving force for the win over Oklahoma State. The offense needed the defense to create turnovers and flip the field. Ehlinger and company couldn’t generate long sustaining drives to put themselves in position to win that game.
Defense may not have been able to stop the pass but the lack of a run game and four turnovers won it for them. They took potential points away from Oklahoma State and created opportunities for the offense. Plus Ossai played like an absolute mad man.
Myerberg also called Oklahoma State a winner after falling behind 13-0 at halftime to Kansas State.
Pushed around for the first two quarters and playing without star receiver Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State outscored Kansas State 20-6 in the second half and won 20-18 to remain the only realistic playoff contender in the Big 12. The loss is a complete gut punch for the Wildcats, who had two chances in the fourth quarter to take the lead or force overtime. One drive, with the score 13-12, ended in a fumble the Cowboys returned for a touchdown. Kansas State scored on the ensuing possession but failed to convert the two-point attempt.
The Longhorns will now get to rest and recover from their latest three-game stretch. Following the bye week Texas heads to Lawrence to take on the winless Jayhawks. Last year Kansas pushed Texas to the brink before a Cameron Dicker field goal saved the day.