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After two grueling losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Texas has a full week to replicate and try to recharge for the ultimate 5 video games of the common season. First on the schedule is a troublesome street recreation in opposition to No. 16 Baylor.
This could possibly be the make-or-break recreation for Steve Sarkisian. 5-3 with a 3-2 Huge 12 file may nonetheless push on towards a convention championship. Sitting at .500 total may result in even worse fates down the street.
All people inside the program must step up heading into Baylor. Sarkisian, assistant coaches, and particularly the gamers.
Expertise is on this Texas roster. Inside the subsequent couple of years, extra gamers can have been drafted from Tom Herman’s recruiting courses than the latter levels of Mack Brown or Charlie Robust. Teaching has been iffy at occasions however with NFL caliber degree gamers sprinkled all through, outcomes have been poor.
Issues want to alter. Listed below are 5 gamers who have to step up for Texas throughout the Baylor recreation.
Casey Thompson
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Now, Casey Thompson is way from the primary one that must be blamed for the offensive struggles within the second half. Playcalling and the lack to constantly run the ball damage Texas much more. However quarterbacks are imagined to elevate groups to success, regardless of different components. Now we have but to see Thompson achieve this.
How a lot an injured thumb on his throwing hand is bothering the quarterback, we have no idea. Passes haven’t been correct and haven’t put Texas receivers in good locations to make performs. Finishing 56.6% of his throws previously week have stalled drives, particularly within the second half in opposition to Oklahoma State.
Thompson wants to indicate he will be the explanation the Longhorns win soccer video games. Up to now, Bijan Robinson has been the principle purpose. Sarkisian is sticking with No. 11 as his man. It’s time to show why on the street in opposition to a ranked Baylor staff.
Any broad receiver not named Xavier Worthy
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
Though Xavier Worthy was largely quiet in opposition to Oklahoma State, his potential is thought. Texas will discover new methods to get him concerned and ensure one other meh efficiency will not be on the playing cards. Nonetheless, anyone else must step up.
Marcus Washington was the main receiver in Austin two weeks in the past with 60 yards. 58 of the yards got here on one play. Joshua Moore was the one different receiver to file a catch with three. One thing should emerge.
Throw the tight ends into the dialogue as nicely. Cade Brewer and Jared Wiley have been lacking for many of the season. Sarkisian must discover a strategy to get a receiver not named Worthy concerned within the passing recreation.
Ray Thornton
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
Over the previous three video games, Texas has had 4 whole sacks. Solely three groups within the Huge 12 have gotten to the quarterback much less. Joseph Ossai has been missed dearly. Seven video games into the season and his alternative has nonetheless not proven up.
Ray Thornton has been a starter from the start of the season. A variety of hype got here out of fall observe how he was dominating in observe. Trying again, perhaps he was simply going in opposition to Christian Jones every day. Both method, his presence within the move rush must get higher.
Baylor’s offensive line has solely given up six sacks this 12 months, the fewest within the Huge 12. All of Texas’ move rush wants to enhance however having anyone off the sting corresponding to Thornton would severely assist.
Keilan Robinson
Tim Warner/Getty Photographs
Saying Keilan Robinson must “step up” nearly appears unfair contemplating how few touches he has gotten. He’s totaled one carry because the TCU recreation after having 9 for 125 speeding yards and two touchdowns in opposition to Rice and Texas Tech mixed.
Robinson’s velocity is just too good to move up on. If for some purpose giving Bijan fewer touches are in Sarkisian’s plan, give Keilan the alternative six or seven. He brings a distinct strategy to the run recreation and lets Texas run a distinct number of performs.
Even throw him on the market in 21 personnel. With how hidden the tight ends have been, why not, on the very least, line him up within the slot and run round in movement to offer Baylor one thing to consider?
Christian Jones/Andrej Karic
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports activities
Christian Jones was “introduced” the beginning left deal with on Tuesday with the discharge of the depth chart. Concern is, that depth chart has solely modified as soon as, perhaps twice attributable to accidents and the swap at quarterback. It’s not precisely one thing to take actually.
Andrej Karic can have a shot to get snaps at left deal with this weekend.
Whether or not it’s Karic or Jones, one among them has to do a greater job in move safety. Going again to saying Thompson must step up, his blindside blocking must be higher. In any other case, the quarterback can be scrambling for his life, as soon as once more, and discover himself throwing the ball away.
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