Texas-Kansas preview: Pressure is on as Longhorns play for Big 12 title shot

By Will Leverett

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This is it. All that Tom Herman has built this year, Texas’ Big 12 title shots, even possibly Breckyn Hager’s long blonde locks all come down to a game in Lawrence, Kansas. On Friday at 11 a.m., the Longhorns play in a high-stakes matchup against the 3-8 Kansas Jayhawks. A win sends Texas to the Big 12 Title game the following weekend for the first time since 2009.

Here’s what Herman’s squad needs to do to avoid the crushing upset.

Texas vs. Kansas details

Date: Nov. 23, 2018

Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

What channel is Texas vs. Kansas on?

Texas vs. Kansas will be broadcast on FS1. It can also be streamed live on Fox Sports Go.

How can I buy tickets to Texas vs. Kansas?

Click here to buy tickets to the Texas vs. Kansas game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas.

Texas vs. Kansas preview

Keep Ehlinger clean

Since his coming-out party against Oklahoma, where he totaled five touchdowns, there have been few quarterbacks in the country who have been more efficient than Sam Ehlinger. The sophomore has posted 1,435 yards passing, 19 total touchdowns and (still) zero turnovers in that six-game stretch, one in which he has missed almost 3 halves of gameplay.

However, Ehlinger sprained his AC joint in his throwing shoulder on the first drive in a win against Baylor, an injury that was reaggravated in last week’s victory over Iowa State. Herman said in his press conference on Monday that they will know his status for Friday’s game on Thursday at the latest. If his shoulder is in good enough for him to play, the focus needs to be on keeping the pocket clean for him to throw. While his ability to run the football is an integral aspect of this offense, his health is of increasing importance. If the Texas offensive line can keep Ehlinger upright, he should be able to pick apart the Kansas secondary with the skill position weapons at his disposal.

Dominate line of scrimmage

In the win over Iowa State, the Texas front seven got back to their old ways and played with a physical edge that has been missing for weeks. Herman praised the physicality of the team, saying “It was very important for us to get back to playing ball the way we’ve designed our program to play.”

The defensive line will need to bring that physical intensity against an undersized Kansas line. Jayhawk running back Pooka Williams Jr. ran for 252 yards (!!) on just 15 carries against Oklahoma as Kansas hung 40 points on the Sooners. At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Williams Jr. is quick to hit any open hole, utilizing his low center of gravity to break arm tackles. If the Texas defensive front is able to reach Williams Jr. in the backfield, they will eliminate his ability to pick up speed before reaching the second level and limit his effectiveness.

Get multiple takeaways

As bad as Kansas’ record is this season, they have played many close games in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks beat TCU, gave Kansas State a run for its money and lost two-possession games to powers West Virginia and Oklahoma. This can largely be attributed to the playmaking ability of their defense.

While the Kansas defense is one of the worst in the country in yardage totals, it’s one of the best in takeaways. And because they don’t throw the ball much, the Jayhawks have the third best turnover margin in the country. If there’s a formula for an upset, it’s by winning the turnover battle.

The only way the Texas offensive attack is slowed down is if it beats itself. Because of the current uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Longhorn defense will need to hold up its end of the bargain in order to secure a win in Lawrence. If they force multiple Kansas turnovers, that should be enough to allow the offense to get the job done.

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