Texas Longhorns vs. BYU Cougars: Keys To The Game

The Texas Longhorns square off with the BYU Cougars in week 9 of the college football season.

As BYU enters its first season in the Big 12, the Cougars are looking to score a huge win against the conference favorite after going 8-5 a season ago.

Here is what both teams have to do if they want to come away with the win Oct. 28.

Texas wins if...

... it runs the football.

In BYU's five losses in 2022, the Cougars allowed their five highest opponent rushing totals. Oregon ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns, East Carolina had 227 yards and three scores, Notre Dame went for 234 yards, Arkansas rushed for 277 yards and two scores and Liberty went for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

With the Bijan Robinson's NFL departure, the Longhorns will turn to other options in Jonathon Brooks, Keilan Robinson and CJ Baxter among others.

Last year, Brooks ran for 197 yards and five touchdowns while Robinson accounted for 86 yards on 25 carries. Baxter enters as the No. 1 running back in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports.

BYU boasts two top-notch linebackers in Ben Bywater and Max Tooley who are both recovering from injuries and offseason surgery. However, with as late in the season as the game is being played, those two should be anchoring the Cougars defense.

BYU wins if...

... it contains Quinn Ewers.

Ewers is expected to be one of the nation's top quarterbacks next season and, with the weapons he'll have to throw to, the Cougars' secondary will need to play lockdown coverage.

The way BYU can relieve its secondary, though, is through a good pass rush.

Defensive lineman Tyler Batty is looking to have boosted numbers in 2023 under new defensive coordinator Jay Hill's 4-3 scheme. 

During BYU's four-game losing streak last season, it allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 90 of their 119 pass attempts for 1,073 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. 

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