Meet the Cast – Texas Longhorn Defense

from headliners to understudies, a guide to the UT Longhorn defense and speculation in regard to their performance against Oklahoma State

One of my favorite aspects about this year’s edition of the Longhorns is the atmosphere of selflessness and chemistry that their upperclassmen leadership has fostered. While clearly intangible and statistically untrackable, this season has acted as evidence that team chemistry truly can be the difference between “a year away” and undisputed midseason number one. So far, this atmosphere has taken care of what is perhaps the most difficult part of playing four top 11 teams in a row: mental drain on the players. To compete at such a level requires teams to attain an elevated level of consciousness and mental acuity that is nearly impossible to force players to reach more than one week in a row. That is, unless a team’s mentality makes it as natural as working out or stretching before a game.

In light of this team’s social dynamic, to focus on Colt McCoy’s resurgence to the point that it eclipses the other great strides this team has made is something of an analytical travesty. I’m not going say outright that the media needs to broaden the scope of its Longhorns praise but let’s just consider this my personal effort to spread the love around. The Longhorn defense has stood out to separate this team from the rest of a conference where half of the offenses are amongst the top 13 most productive nationally. This group of players is charged with the unenviable task of stopping the spread offense in the Big 12. After the season ends, there are only two teams in the top six in scoring offense that they won’t have played (themselves and Tulsa so actually only one if you count the spring game as a game). So without further ado, I present to you the defensive cast you will see try to put on a show once again in Austin this Saturday:

Defensive Line:

This unit may be an even bigger strength than the quarterback position for the Longhorns this season. Personally this is my favorite part of the team. Their pass rush has been the lynchpin of the Horns success in that their ability to pressure the quarterback with only four men has allowed the defense to force the quarterback into difficult throws against a back seven that is entirely dropped back into coverage, all while allowing under 50 rush yards per game and 2 yards per carry. Kendall Hunter and Zac Robinson will present a test to their containment ability that is unparalleled by any other team on their schedule.

Starters:

Brian Orakpo needs no introduction. Arguably the nation’s premier defensive end, he is a physical freak whose pass rushing style is tenacious yet disciplined. Simply trying to stay in front of him is impossible (as evidenced by the Loadholt Holdfest (say that three times fast)) and he is rarely caught out of position on screens and shovel passes. I’m usually hesitant to say this but I think what he will do against the Cowboys is a foregone conclusion.

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