Texas vs. Missouri: 5 Halftime Adjustments the Longhorns Should Make

We should be in for a great finish as the No. 16 Texas Longhorns take on the Missouri Tigers in Columbia. 

The Longhorns are coming off two important wins lead by a monster rushing attack, totaling over 800 yards in just two games. 

Can Texas rebound from a slow first half and escape with a clutch Big 12 win?

Here are five halftime adjustments the Longhorns should make if they want to finish on top. 

Success on Early Downs

The Longhorns need to focus getting positive gains on early downs in the second half. They have been limited to a number of 3rd-and-long situations, which has left their freshman QB in obvious passing situations.

Texas cannot rely on converting long third downs if they want to win this game.

David Ash

QB David Ash needs to step up in the second half.

With their three most useful RBs out of the game, Ash's importance has wildly increased. We have already seen the ebbs and flows of a freshman QB, as Ash has had some glimpses of brilliance.  But if Texas wants to win this game, Ash must make sound decisions and avoid the mistakes that he is prone to making.

Keep Pounding the Ball

Even without their leading rushers, Texas needs to keep pounding the run in the second half. The Longhorns' run game has been the driving force behind their success this year. Texas must trust their remaining RBs, Jeremy Hill and D.J Monroe, to get some positive carries and balance out the offense for David Ash. 

Expect A Quick Tempo

In the second half, the Longhorns should expect to see a lot of hurry-up offense from the Tigers. Texas needs to bring heavy pressure to get after QB James Franklin and watch for the quick out routes that Mizzou is prone to throw. 

O-Line Push

Texas' O-Line needs to be physical at the point of attack to create holes for the Longhorns' remaining RBs and give some much needed time to their young QB. If Texas can win the battle of the trenches, look for their offense to settle down and balance out.