Things have started to get serious. It’s been appropriately determined by most parties that UT will have an athletic advantage at the skill positions just like they have for the last 60 years in about every game they’ve played .  It’s amazing they ever lose.  However, even a program like Texas, isn’t immune to the inexact science of trench recruiting.  Every so often you’ll catch them with a down year on the OL or DL.  The odds are definitely shifted in their favor, which is reflected in the consistency of their program, but they can be beat.  There’s two teams I’ve seen play that could possibly be built to do that this year, Florida and Alabama.  I’m not sure if Bama’s dynamic enough on offense to counter the speed of the Texas back 7, but they might be a good enough drive blocking team to run right at what is a little undersized front that’s long on speed and athleticism. 

If there’s one weakness on this UT football team, it’s on the OL.  There may not be any teams in the Big 12 with the appropriate personnel at all the other positions to exploit them, but if they do get beat this year, it will be with this unit.  The more film I watch of Colt McCoy the more I become convinced he’s the next Steve Young.  In a given 4 quarters, the Texas OL play could range anywhere from solid to comical.  They’re good enough pass blockers for a guy with McCoy’s athleticism at QB, but inconsistency can lead to turnover opportunities in the back 7. 

Now, let’s take a look at where the game is typically won or lost:

WDE Daniel Howard/Brandon Sharpe vs. LT Adam Ulatoski - The Ol’ Uley has turned a lot of ground on the 40 acres and there’s not much he hasn’t seen, including 9-3.  Howard and Sharpe will more than likely try to run around him, if they’re shooting for sacks.  I’m guessing keeping Colt McCoy in the pocket will be priority number 1.  Uley’s better in the run game when he can get locked up with someone.  If they can play the ole’ game with him, we’ve got some things going on inside that would allow us to defend the UT run game with an honest front.  This would be ideal.

NT Colby Whitlock/Chris Perry vs. G/C/G Charlie Tanner/Chris Hall/David Snow - We might actually have an advantage here.  I’m not so sure that backup Tray Allen isn’t the best athlete.  The first unit will maul LBs, if they get to the 2nd level, but getting there can sometimes be a clusterfuck.  They might go three snaps in a row with a guy trying to change directions falling down, a whiff on a quick DT, or two of them running into each other.  That could be followed up by 3 pretty decent looking plays or a collage of the aforementioned.  Strange to watch on film.  Whitlock will give these guys a lot of trouble in single team opportunities, but after last year, I don’t expect him to see many of those.  He should hold up fine on the double teams and Perry could cause some problems when motivated.

DT Richard Jones/Victor Hunter vs. G/G Tanner/Snow/Allen - Jones and Hunter are both small and quick, while the UT personnel is big and slow.  Neither party will dominate, but I suspect Jones and Hunter to provide some disruptive moments throughout the contest. 

SDE Rajon Henley/Ryan Haliburton vs RT Kyle Hix/Britt Mitchell - Texas used a mixture of these two guys against Wyoming, and either the Cowboys have a really good DL or I was underwhelmed.  Make up my mind for me.  Hix is actually not bad in certain zone blocking scenarios, but either will yield 2 sacks to Jeremy Beal.  We need Henley to be healthy as he should be able to collect one and some solid pass rush/contain.  Haliburton will more than likely be a wash, if forced into action.

Overall

Tech will have a decent chance in this game, if they can create some consistent inside pass rush yielding turnover opportunities.  Or safeties.  Taking away the middle passing lane would help preventing the up and coming Dan Buckner from burning Tech in the middle of the field.  You’ve got one chance to drop McCoy for a big loss right as he decides to break the pocket.  If you miss him, you’re toast.