Can The Texas Longhorns Run Through The Big 12?
By Zach Pugh
Dec 29, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns tailback Jonathan Gray (32) scores a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half of the Alamo Bowl at the Alamodome. Texas beat Oregon State 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
When a team finishes the previous season in the middle of the pack in both total rushing yards as well as rushing yards per game, do you anticipate the next season that same run game could become the best in a conference?
The Texas Longhorns running back corps is packed with potential, but hasn’t been able to set themselves a part in the Big 12.
Last season, the burnt orange lost only one game when it rushed for over 100 yards. Its other three losses were marked by rushing totals of 74, 86 and 99 yards. The bottom line is that this team needs to have a solid performance on the ground in order to win.
Even with the offense returning 10 starters, this doesn’t change. Offensive coordinator Major Applewhite wants an uptempo attack and there is plenty of speed at his disposal to implement this effectively, but the only way to live the tried-and-true cliché of keeping the defense “honest” is by having the balanced attack.
Recent history within the conference doesn’t suggest that Texas will need to be at the top in total rushing. In fact, the last Big 12 champion with a rushing attack ranked in the league’s top half were the 2009 Longhorns. Two of the last three champions, Oklahoma in 2010 and Oklahoma State in 2011, finished No. 10 and No. 9 in rushing. Last year’s champion, Kansas State was only fourth.
So why the emphasis on a strong running attack in 2013? Simply put, there is too much talent alongside field general David Ash to not be at the top.
With an offensive line that is returning all five starters from 2012, is there any excuse for a unit that has a total of 124 starts not to push the running game into elite status? Left guard Trey Hopkins was clearly the best run blocker on the team and received second All-Big 12 honors least year for his efforts. Hopkins posses enough athleticism to pull and step outside the tackle, but what could hold the Horns back is the lack of physicality from the line.
Pass protection was solid in 2012, but in order to take full advantage of the talent in the backfield they will need to do better at getting the initial push.
There is no denying how potentially outstanding the rotation is, but they only averaged 171 yards a game. That is not going to cut it when you have the likes of Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown. Gray led the charge last season, but the 2011 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year lacked big play ability. With 701 yards Gray proved he was worth all the hype. But now it’s time for him to step up to the number one guy.
Malcolm Brown has been frustrating for Texas fans because he hasn’t been able to stay healthy enough to make a huge impact in the running game. Coming out of high school, Brown was touted as the next Ricky Williams, but 2012 was especially disappointing. The NFL caliber back started in just eight games due to a foot injury and was limited even he did make appearances because of an ankle injury.
Joe Bergeron packs a red zone punch for the Longhorns. His 16 rushing touchdowns with 127 touches last season showed the team can count on him to find the end zone. He is the perfect complement to Gray and Brown inside the 20.
Once again, many prognosticators are picking the Horns to win at least 10 games this year, but without better production from the running game that is not possible.