AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The previous time period Texas confronted a new major Heisman Trophy contender, trainer Mack Brown informed his protection ''Don't let him win the item next to you.''
How'd that will perform out? Baylor's Robert Griffin I handed down for just two touchdowns, ran with regard to two more your decide one weeks time subsequently acknowledged the trophy inside New York.
''They handed it for you to your pet from halftime,'' Brown said.
Ten weeks plus a new year later, here comes West Virginia's Geno Smith , this nation's top-rated passer and the guy all of them are checking to be able to Griffin right after his eight TD passes and also 656 yards against Baylor continue week. The No. eight Mountaineers (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) in addition to No. 11 Longhorns (4-0, 1-0) participate in Saturday night.
For West Virginia, your street succeed when in front of in relation to 100,000 Texas fans plus a nationwide television audience may not simply solidify Smith as being the mid-season Heisman favorite, nonetheless additionally send out a new statement in which the Mountaineers have got just about every goal connected with winning the Big twelve month period their primary calendar year in the actual league.
''The crowd's planning to be rocking,'' Smith said. ''We however have a very long way going and also a wide range of operate to help do.''
It could be the first trip to Texas for all in the Mountaineers players, however , not with regard to trainer Dana Holgorsen, who seem to appeared to be a good helper at Texas Tech along with Oklahoma State before planning to Morgantown. He's written that will his staff with regards to learn about expect: the particular crowd, your females in addition to Texas' well known Bevo help mascot.
''I'm getting excited about it,'' Holgorsen said. ''There are going to be many people, cheerleaders as well as (the) longhorn ultimately zone.''
So call it the ideal step regarding one more nation's assertion by Smith, who has already been taking aside defenses having a unbelievable 83 percent finish rate, 20 touchdowns and no interceptions.
''Amazing,'' Texas cornerback Carrington Byndom said.
The nightmare pertaining to Texas seriously isn't how you can stop the particular West Virginia felony - ''You're not necessarily intending to halt them,'' Brown claimed - but learning to make this works in which maintain the Mountaineers beyond the finish zone plus help to make the variation with your end.
Force a punt. Recover some sort of fumble. Make an interception.
''This isn't really intending as a shutdown game,'' Brown said. ''The male just simply obtained 70 points. I mean, unbelievable.''
Brown has got to ask plenty at a defense participating in properly beneath preseason expectations. The Longhorns threw in the towel 576 meters that will Oklahoma State and have a poor pattern regarding surrendering much time touchdowns. But the Longhorns in addition have built big plays at critical moments.
In very last week's win over Oklahoma State , an interception build a Texas touchdown. A defensive endure late in the fourth quarter compelled the particular Cowboys in order to quit some sort of arena goal, understanding that afforded Texas the ability to earn the idea with a touchdown.
Despite the lapses, Texas continue to offers playmakers galore with defense, commencing with stops Jackson Jeffcoat as well as Alex Okafor, with combined pertaining to seven sacks.
It will possibly be their particular career to help affect Smith and force your ex to be able to toss quickly as well as around the run. Texas feels Smith's bodily time can be a bit sluggish soon after definitely not struggling with a lot pressure within the first four games, especially continue 1 week alongside Baylor.
''We however have a few swagger,'' Byndom said. ''We understand what sort of defense we could play.''
Texas is likewise relying upon it's wrongdoing to slow Smith by way of retaining him or her off the field. Unlike Baylor, which often tested out to be able to go with Smith excrete for pass in last week's 70-63 shootout, your Longhorns are built all around some sort of ball-control operating game along with play-action passes. If Texas can take hold of some sort of second-half lead, your Longhorns attempt to wipe out that time behind battering memory tailback Joe Bergeron.
Longhorns quarterback David Ash have been quietly great in the first four games. Ash standing No. 2 country wide inside pass efficiency (behind Smith, regarding course) plus directed Texas' game-winning touchdown drive last week in the final two minutes.
After likely 13-12 your very last two months with a 2-6 report at your home inside the Big 12, the actual Longhorns can certainly help make his or her assertion using a victory: that Texas is usually really fighting it is way into this nation's top notch programs.
''It's recently been a bit considering that we have received that possiblity to possibly be within this situation,'' Ash said. ''It's ingested plenty associated with tough work. We don't really need to forget that.''
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