Texas heads into another road trip this weekend, and it’s time to highlight the players I believe could impact this game the most. For Texas, there are a number of players the Longhorns need more from, including a position you wouldn’t normally find on one of these lists. Particularly on offense, I believe if the three guys I have here show up on Saturday, Texas will be able to win.
CJ Baxter – RB
CJ Baxter was on this list last week, but it turns out he was not ready to go against Kentucky. This week, it sounds like Baxter actually will be back, and that could be a key to the Texas offense’s success. This season, there has really only been one game where both Baxter and Wisner on the field fully healthy, that was Ohio State.
In that game, the duo combined for 120 yards on 26 carries, good for 4.6 yards/carry. There is a path to make that duo into a formidable rushing attack, which I believe would solve many issues with the Longhorns. Now, it’s unknown how healthy Baxter is and how much they will put on him Saturday, but the Longhorns badly need their top two guys healthy, and it sounds like that will be the case this weekend.
Nick Brooks – LG
Rarely to a zero-in on one offensive lineman, but if the Texas OL can get better play from Nick Brooks solely, the product can improve drastically. Now, it’s important to keep in mind Brooks is a true freshman, thrust into this position because the veterans didn’t work out, so he does get some slack. Despite that, the Longhorns do need more from #71 moving forward, even if it’s far from perfect.
It’s hard for me to know what exactly changed between Oklahoma and Kentucky, but if he can give an Oklahoma-level performance moving forward, I believe the Texas offense can do enough to win the games ahead. It’s been established that the OL is going to have to scheme around in some ways. If Nick Brooks can play with the physicality and energy he did against Oklahoma, I think the OL will go from putrid to iffy, which might be enough, despite it not being ideal.
DeAndre Moore Jr. – WR
Moore continues to show he is the most important piece of the Texas pass game moving forward. Moore made the massive catch on 3rd down to set up the go-ahead FG in regulation, he’s a plus-blocker and has an understanding of the offense the other WRs don’t yet. Moore is as complete of a receiver as Texas has, and I think the passing offense should start to be built off of #0 going forward.
Cole Brevard – DT
Quietly, the Longhorn that is playing the best football right now might be Cole Brevard. Brevard has become the best IDL Texas has and is one of the best run stuffers in all of the SEC. In a game against Mississippi State, you can’t stop the offense without stopping the run game. If Brevard(and every other DTs) can step up in run defense, Blake Shapen is going to have a tough time getting consistent offense. The Kentucky game was likely his best in a Longhorn uniform, and if he can build off that this week, it’ll be tough sledding for the Mississippi State offense.
Ethan Burke – EDGE
Colin Simmons has 5.5 sacks over the last two games, so he is rightly stealing all the headlines, but Burke is playing at a really high level. Burke’s length has been a massive plus for Texas in the run game, and he’s creating openings for the other pass rushers consistently. If a game like this one, the effort that will be put into stopping Colin Simmons will open doors for Burke. Mississippi State wants to attack downfield, which means the pass rush will have time, and I have a feeling Saturday is going to be Ethan’s chance to step into the spotlight.
Jaylon Guilbeau – CB
We just talked about Mississippi State wanting to take deep shots, which means Jaylon Guilbeau will be put in 1-on-1 positions consistently. The Mississippi State receiving core is very dependent on the big plays down field, specifically to Thompson and Evans III, who can get by anyone in a hurry. Guilbeau has been very good in coverage this year, but this will be a unique challenge, unlike what he’s seen this year. If he can’t hold up, one or two plays can change this game.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns to watch this weekend vs. Mississippi State
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
