GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Texas offensive line vs. West Virginia’s defense. The best way the Longhorns can counter West Virginia’s powerful offense is to keep the Mountaineers wide-open passing attack off the field. To do that, Texas needs to run the ball effectively and win the time of possession battle. Herman said Monday that he gives his offensive line a passing grade so far but needs them to be better at moving the defense and creating room for the run game.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Collin Johnson has the size (6-foot-6, 215 pounds), athleticism and speed that the NFL loves, but he needs to be more aggressive. Texas coach Tom Herman has ordered his quarterbacks to go to the go-route to Johnson anytime and every time he draws single coverage. He has 47 catches for 628 yards and five TDs combined in the first eight games.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Sam Ehlinger has attempted 210 consecutive passes without an interception, surpassing Major Applewhite’s school record of 156. He is on the watch list for the 2018 Manning Award.
–DE Breckyn Hager suffered a severe right SC sprain (collarbone) in the loss to Oklahoma State and is day-to-day.
–WR D’Shawn Jamison has a mid-foot sprain and is day-to-day.
–LB Malcolm Roach, whom coach Tom Herman earlier his season said would miss the rest of the year with a broken foot, could be back for this week’s game and is expected to play next week against Texas Tech.
–TE Andrew Beck had a career-high 51 receiving yards and caught his third career TD pass in the loss to Oklahoma State.
=