Texas Longhorns Game Review: Defense vs TCU

We conclude the TCU game review with a look at the defense and special teams.

Defensive Line

Coming into the season, the consensus was that the big strength on defense was among the front four - what with three all-conference caliber tackles and a host of strong options on the ends. So far, the group has lived up to the billing - starting in the middle. Frank Okam, Derek Lokey, and Roy Miller were equal parts outstanding on Saturday night. They've been providing a fierce push up front which has collapsed the pocket or commanded double teams, freeing other Longhorn defenders to make tackles.

While losing Brian Orakpo is a big disappointment, Lamarr Houston and Eddie Jones have proven their worth already. Houston got the starting nod and showed outstanding quickness against the Horned Frogs. Meanwhile, Aaron Lewis has remained steady on his side of the end, and the line as a whole has done exactly what Duane Akina has asked of it.

One of the nice things about Akina and MacDuff's "Desert Swarm" style defensive attack is the onslaught of linebackers brought in to the point of attack on the LOS. Let's say, for example, that Akina sends the MLB in on a blitz in the A gap, as he frequently has this season. That leaves Texas' opponents with one of two choices: let him through, or expend a lineman on picking up the block. In the case of the latter, Okam and Lokey are now left in isolation to make a strong push and destroy the line of scrimmage. Pocket collapses, Texas has blown up the intended play.

That's just one example of how Akina's getting a lot out of his linemen.

GRADE: A

Linebackers

Hmm. On the one hand? Killebrew still isn't any good. On the other? Every other Longhorn linebacker improved their play drastically from week one. Bobino had his best game in a long while, Scott Derry was as solid as ever, and the young guys - Jared Norton and Rodderick Muckelroy - gave Texas fans their first taste of exciting, speedy linebackers making, you know, plays.

Don't forget, too, that Sergio Kindle's not even in this mix yet. I said before the season that I was hopeful this could be a team strength this year. After one week, I was terribly concerned. After two weeks? I'm optimistic again.

Who the hell knows how we'll feel after next week's game, but at least, for once, Texas got more good play than not from this group.

GRADE: B

SECONDARY

Another mixed bag for Texas. On the one hand, there was improvement. On the other, TCU made too many plays against our secondary and should have made a few more. A better quarterback than Dalton certainly would have (and will).

Kudos to Ryan Palmer for at least looking like he belonged on the field. I haven't said that ever in this space, but he deserves it. Again - this isn't a guy I want to see trying to shut down OU's receivers, but he had a nice game against TCU's mediocre wideouts.

I can't say the same is true for Brandon Foster, who was once again subpar. He made a nice play on special teams, but as a corner, his play continues to hurt the team. I'll note, though, that his backup, Deon Beasley, misplayed two balls himself, so there's no easy answer here. Still, one wonders how long until the young guys get enough reps to just take over the positions. It's gotta be pretty soon.

As for the safeties, Marcus Griffin had a strong game, playing within himself and helping on run support without bailing on his pass assignments. Erick Jackson had his moments, but still looks lost out there at times. He's frequently a step or two behind where he should be, and I don't think it's a matter of him not being fast enough. I'm not sure he "gets" the position the way the best ones do. He'll do for now, but I worry about this team getting beat over the top by a team with a real passing game.

GRADE: C

DEFENSIVE COACHING

In terms of improvement from one week to the next, you have to enjoy what you saw on the field this past Saturday. Part of this might be adjusting to the Tomey/Akina/MacDuff system. I won't be surprised, for example, if this is a defense that improves much more than most units would over the course of the season. Of course, the only thing that matters right now is getting the machine well oiled by October 6th. Improvement after that won't mean nearly as much if we can't win in Dallas.

As far as scheme goes, though - I love what Akina's doing. We're not doing things perfectly yet, and personnel questions remain, but watching Gene "Stand Pat" Chizik let us bleed to death slowly last year was more than I could handle. His marriage to his base defense was... well, you know.

Things are looking up, though. I'll reiterate my preference for putting pressure on collegiate quarterbacks; the talent and execution among offensive units in this game is not strong enough to make you pay like it is in the NFL. Furthermore, Texas doesn't have the secondary to sit and wait for things to happen. Akina's willingness to try to dictate what the offense has to do is wise considering our vulnerabilities.

GRADE: A-

--PB--