How Texas Can Upset Oregon
It is no secret that the Texas Longhorns are the underdogs in the Alamo Bowl. Over at Bovada they are the 14 point underdogs. Not many people will be picking the Longhorns to win. Â But it is not impossible. The Longhorns can beat the Ducks.
The key to a Texas victory will be stopping Oregon’s spread offense. There is no doubt that the Longhorns defense has been completely focused on how to solve the spread offense puzzle and slow down the ultra-fast Ducks.
The Texas have shown weakness against quick teams, like the Baylor Bears, who beat the Longhorns in the last game of the Big 12 regular season. However, the Ducks has been slowed down before by both Stanford and Arizona who picked up wins against Oregon.
The Longhorns will need to focus on three things in order to beat the Ducks: contain the run, control the clock and if the runner does break loose making tackles in the open field.
Texas needs to take their time on offense. They do not need to constantly look for big breakout plays. Instead, they need to slowly chip away at yardage, all while letting the clock wind down.
Next, they will need to contain the run. Stanford was able to slowdown Oregon’s run game. Arizona also contained the Ducks, but that is easier said than done. Â Not only do they have a pair of running backs that can break a big one on any play, but the Ducks QB is also a major dual threat quarterback able to scramble out of the pocket just as well as he can pass. Texas has struggled defending against read-option offense all season. In fact, all four of their losses can be attributed to this flaw.
The Longhorns will need to get to the quarterback on nearly every play. QB pressure will be key in stopping the run, particularly the option.
That leads to making tackles in the open field. Getting to Mariota every play is not going to be possible. The Ducks have a fast paced offense where they get Mariota the ball he airs it out quick or hands it off quick.
The Longhorns cannot let the Ducks short yardage passes turn into huge plays by making big tackles in the open field.
