OTF Premium Monday's Key to the Game | Monday 4:30 p.m.

[CJ Vogel]

Key to the game?

Converting 1st and 2nd downs into positive gains to set up third and short is the biggest point of emphasis in my eyes going into this weekend's contest against Oklahoma.

 

A look at every 3rd down Texas faced against OU in 2025:

• 3rd & 23
• 3rd & 12
• 3rd & 30
• 3rd & 10 ... converted
• 3rd & 1 ... converted
• 3rd & 3 (goal line)
• 3rd & 1 ... converted
• 3rd & 8 ...converted
• 3rd & 8 ... converted (touchdown)
• 3rd & 7 ... converted
• 3rd & 7 ... converted
• 3rd & 2 ... converted
• 3rd & 19 
• 3rd & 7
• 3rd & 2 ... converted
• 3rd & 12

Pretty easy trend to decipher here.

• 0–3 on 3rd & 15+
• 1–6 on 3rd & 10+
• 5–11 on 3rd & 7+
• 4–5 conversion rate on 3rd & 5 or less

 

Texas has not been great in these exact situations. Against Tennessee, the Longhorns average distance to go on 3rd downs was 9.0.

On 3rd and short, Texas was 2–2. On 3rd & long (9+), the Longhorns were 0–4.

Oklahoma has a superb front seven with the interior defensive line leading the way. The edge rushers of Taylor Wein and PJ Adebawore being two incredibly toolsy edge rushers as well.

Not allowing that group to pin their ears back and rush the passer will be key in my eyes.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Run the ball, stop the run, stay in third & manageable on offense and weather the storm because crazy things are bound to happen in this game. 

[CJ Vogel]

15 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

Run the ball, stop the run, stay in third & manageable on offense and weather the storm because crazy things are bound to happen in this game. 

Crazy things indeed. With Mateer we may see someone never done before in the sport  

[BurntOrangeHorn]

16 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Crazy things indeed. With Mateer we may see someone never done before in the sport  

????  🤷‍♀️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏼