NCAAF · 2 years ago

How Texas Can Beat Oklahoma State: 5 Keys To Victory

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Force Turnovers
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have not been particularly potent through the air. Alan Bowman got off to a nice start but he has thrown just ten touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Texas' defense has come on since the Oklahoma game and the Longhorns wrecked Texas Tech last weekend by creating big plays with turnovers. If the Longhorns can win the turnover battle, they will feel great about coming out with the Big 12 Championship.
1. Quinn Ewers Must Deliver
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has not played well since returning from an injury that kept him out of a couple of games in the middle of the season. Ewers was 17-26 for only 196 yards in the Longhorns blowout win over Texas Tech last weekend but he'll need better numbers to feel comfortable against the Cowboys.
2. The Baxter and Blue Show
The Texas offense continues to adjust to the absence of running back Jonathon Brooks. CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue have taken turns excelling. Two weeks ago, it was Baxter taking the lead. Last week, Blue broke a 69-yard run and had 121 yards on ten carries as the Longhorns ran for 325 yards on the Red Raiders. Oklahoma State allows 4.6 yards per carry, 91st in the country, so Texas should find success on the ground.
3. Win in the Red Zone
The biggest issue for the Texas offense all season has been inefficiency in the red zone. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has expressed frustration with the team's inability to solve the problem. They are now 105th in the country in red zone scoring percentage. One way to allow an underdog to pull off an upset is by failing to convert in the red zone.
4. Slow Ollie Gordon
The Oklahoma State Cowboys' best weapon is running back Ollie Gordon. The sophomore is averaging 6.45 yards per carry and has 20 touchdowns on the season. Gordon has turned into a bell cow running back, getting more than 20 carries per game. Texas is well-equipped to handle Gordon as they allow only 2.9 yards per carry (fifth in the country). This will be a true strength vs. strength battle.
5. Force Turnovers
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have not been particularly potent through the air. Alan Bowman got off to a nice start but he has thrown just ten touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Texas' defense has come on since the Oklahoma game and the Longhorns wrecked Texas Tech last weekend by creating big plays with turnovers. If the Longhorns can win the turnover battle, they will feel great about coming out with the Big 12 Championship.
1. Quinn Ewers Must Deliver
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has not played well since returning from an injury that kept him out of a couple of games in the middle of the season. Ewers was 17-26 for only 196 yards in the Longhorns blowout win over Texas Tech last weekend but he'll need better numbers to feel comfortable against the Cowboys.

How Texas Can Beat Oklahoma State: 5 Keys To Victory

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