For
fans of college football, the spicy Sept. 7 matchup between Texas and
LSU in Austin is a can’t-miss clash of two storied programs looking to
challenge the status quo and end the conference championship reigns of
both Oklahoma and Alabama.
But
only one side will be able to seize the inside track to a possible
berth in the College Football Playoff — assuming, of course, that both
the Longhorns and Tigers take care of business during the opening week.
Texas
is loaded with top-tier returnees like quarterback Sam Ehlinger, wide
receiver Collin Johnson and safeties Caden Sterns and Brandon Jones. The
offensive line looks as reliable as it has in years, as left tackle Sam
Cosmi, center Zach Shackelford and guard Parker Braun, a Georgia Tech
transfer, all have the potential to be All-Big 12 performers.
The
Longhorns also have plenty of play-making ability in the backfield with
running backs Keontay Ingram and fantastic freshman Jordan Whittington
of Cuero, who has already been seeing reps at multiple positions. Wide
receivers Devin Duvernay and John Burt have the afterburners to break
free from most defensive backs — and Texas’ power running game will only
create more space down the field.
Defensively,
there are plenty of fresh faces along the front seven, including
defensive tackle Keondre Coburn, defensive end Ta’Quon Graham and
linebacker Ayodele Adeoye. Coburn and Adeoye are each redshirt
freshmen.
The
Longhorns’ secondary still features hard-hitting sophomore
safety/nickelback B.J. Foster, but corners Jalen Green and Anthony Cook
will see a big jump in playing time as sophomores.
Historically,
breaking in a new set of defensive backs against LSU would mean
preaching the importance of run support over covering receivers in open
space, but the Tigers are determined to break free from their plodding
style that has produced such notable rushers as Leonard Fournette,
Derrius Guice, Jeremy Hill and Spencer Ware.
LSU
hired former New Orleans Saints coach Joe Brady to revamp the passing
game, and he’s brought a more wide open style that Big 12 fans are no
doubt used to by now. The Tigers may use some run-pass options with
quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been running the spread since middle
school.
Burrow
has a legitimate No. 1 target in receiver Justin Jefferson, and the
tandem of running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and freshman John Emery
Jr. — the nation’s No. 2-ranked RB prospect — will fight for carries
until a clear pecking order is developed.
LSU
will definitely be a handful, even for a Longhorns team brimming with
confidence and looking as though they have the key ingredients to turn
another major corner in 2019. The Tigers welcome back 15 total starters
this season, including eight on defense, where LSU is notoriously
stingy.
Defensive
lineman Rashard Lawrence is a major disruptor at the point of attack
and was named last season’s Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP. Thankfully, the
Tigers lost a major impact player at linebacker in 2018 Butkus Award
winner Devin White, but true to form, LSU has athletes all over the
field.
The
Tigers possess a standout safety of their own in Grant Delpit, who is
an early favorite to earn All-American honors this year.
LSU
went 10-3 last season and defeated Central Florida 40-32 in the Fiesta
Bowl. Texas was 10-4 in 2018 and upset Georgia 28-21 in the Sugar Bowl.
Both teams will likely enter the 2019 campaign ranked in the top 10 in
the nation.
Bottom
line, it should be an interesting and competitive early-season matchup.
The home field advantage will be with the Longhorns, who are scheduled
to play their first two games within the friendly confines of DKR-Texas
Memorial Stadium.
Texas
had better use that advantage while it still can. Next season, the
home-and-home series shifts to one of the toughest places to play in all
of sports — Death Valley in Baton Rouge.