Big 12 South Preview: Sooners, Longhorns Vie for a Title

On defense, Texas was outstanding against the run, but struggled against the pass. In fact, in conference games they allowed nearly 270 yards a game through the air, including 519 to Texas Tech, and 300 plus to Nebraska, Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas State. The disturbing part of those numbers is the fact that the only other teams Baylor hit 300 against were Kansas and Northwestern State; Kansas State didn't hit the 300 mark against anyone else; Nebraska's only other 300 yard games came against Louisiana Tech and Kansas; and Iowa State's only other 300 yard effort came against Northern Iowa. When your pass defense can be compared to Kansas', that's a bad sign, especially when you had future high NFL draft choices in the secondary. So is it a good or bad thing that there will likely be 3 new starters in the secondary? By the end of the year it could be a very good thing, but at the outset? Not so much. Of their top three options at cornerback, redshirt freshman Chykie Brown, true freshman Curtis Brown, and sophomore Deon Beasley, there is a total of 1 college start between them. Chris Brown was in for the spring, which should speed along his development, and might enable him to win a starting job. There is no denying the immense talent of the three, but there is also denying how incredibly raw they are. Texas is in better shape at safety as Drew Kelson finally gets his turn to start after patiently waiting his turn behind future NFL players, although another senior, Erick Jackson will push him. Kelson has good speed to go with good size and is a potential NFL prospect and might see some time at corner, especially early in the season. The other safety is Marcus Griffin who had 90 tackles last year. This unit, by the end of the year, will probably be a top notch secondary, however, during the first month or so it's going to struggle as everyone gets acclimated with both each other, and at corner, playing D-1 football. Fortunately for Texas, their first three games aren't against teams who like to throw the ball, but beginning September 29th with Rice, there is a three game stretch with Rice, Kansas State and Oklahoma where this secondary gets tested.

While the question marks abound in the secondary, none exist in front of them. The defensive line features NFL players all throughout the two deep. They must replace both defensive ends, but there are plenty of talented options. Juniors Brian Orakpo and Aaron Lewis have both been productive in limited playing time, combining last year for 7.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss. Sophomore Lamarr Houston though could be the stud of the bunch. At 6'2 265 with the speed of a linebacker, Houston has the potential to be a top ten draft pick one day. In the middle the Horns have plenty of beef there too. Frank Okam didn't have quite the year last year that he had in 2005, but he and Roy Miller were still very effective, as evident by the fact this defense allowed a mere 61 yards a game on the ground and just 2.3 ypc. Depth is provided by Derek Lokey who missed time with an injury last year though he began the year as a starter.

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