Texas opens the season this week against Terry Bowden’s Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks. Given the talent disparity in the Longhorns’ favor, the game will likely reveal very little about how the season will unfold.
Last year, Texas defeated the Louisiana Raging Cajuns in an impressive opening day performance. Louisiana went on to win the rest of their games.
Despite the strong outing for the Longhorns, they finished with a disappointing 5-7 record. Albeit, the opener foreshadowed an issue the Longhorns’ offensive line would consistently have all season.
Kyle Flood’s offensive line struggled from start to finish last season. As early as the first game, we saw signs that the line would be prone to collapse. Saturday’s game could signal the beginning of improved offensive line play.
Let’s examine a few characteristics we’d like Steve Sarkisian’s squad to display Saturday night.
Can the running game be a strength?
Austin American-Statesman
Steve Sarkisian has often remarked that younger players will have growing pains. Pass protection figures to be one of those areas. However, Texas could show early signs of a strong running game. A strong running game plays to the strengths of its personnel. Bijan Robinson presumably is versatile enough to excel in whatever runs Texas calls. The run schemes will likely be built around what the offensive line can do best. Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood are likely aware of what best works for their new starters up front.
Building play action off the running game
Mikala Compton-USA TODAY NETWORK
Quinn Ewers is going to complete deep passes. Play action passes can let him focus on the main objective of the play, making the schemed up throw. If the line can block well for Bijan Robinson, play action can be a vicious counterpunch to overzealous run defenses.
Assignment discipline
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
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