Oklahoma's matchup this weekend has a lot of ways of looking at it but thanks to Rivals.com's new affiliation with ProFootballFocus.com we've got another new one. SoonerScoop.com is breaking down the Sooners and Longhorns by the points system that PFF has set up. Take a look at how each offensive and defensive grouping should fare against one another.
We start off with some mildly surprising numbers, none more so than safety Brandon Jones who some around the Texas program see as an emerging star. It's clear that PFF doesn't see it the same way and the talented safety is one of a big-time trio who does plenty for the Longhorns defense led by playmaking standout Caden Sterns.
Sterns' classmate, B.J. Foster, is a big-play waiting to happen, particularly in the run game thanks to his physicality and closing speed.
At cornerback, even with Oklahoma's considerable receiver talent, the Longhorns have one of the better duos in all of college football. Kris Boyd is a corner that blends physicality and speed and is a guy that Kyler Murray will have to be mindful of as he slings it around the yard.
Along the defensive line the Longhorns boast several solid players namely Charles Omenihu and Jeff McCulloch. Oklahoma's running game has been it's dominant weapon so it's still hard to see this matchup quite as close as it appears in the rankings but Texas has plenty of quality to combat Oklahoma's blockers.
What is surprise to see is that while many have an extremely high opinion of Gary Johnson, with some even having him as a real contender for the Big 12's defensive player of the year.
Watching the unit, that is second in the conference in run defense, it's clear that it's a situation where the unit is as much about it's sum as it's parts as the Longhorns lack the physically dominating presence of some Texas groups of years prior.
As Oklahoma fans will remember from the first meeting the Longhorns have plenty of weapons at both receiver and in the form of Sam Ehlinger at quarterback. Lil'Jordan Humphrey has emerged as one of the best receivers in the Big 12 and is such a dangerous weapon working out of the slot.
Meanwhile Devin Duvenay possesses game-changing speed and Collin Johnson is the big, vertical receiver that has given the Sooners fits in 2018.
Meanwhile few quarterbacks in the country have taken a bigger step forward this year than Ehlinger. He has gone from a running quarterback who occasionally threw the ball to a player who is among the Big 12's better, and most consistent, passers. The question for this one in AT&T stadium will be surrounding Ehlinger's health. If he is healthy and can replicate his performance from the Cotton Bowl, it gives Texas the kind of offense to keep the Sooners offense off the field.
The Texas ground game may have started the season as a huge question mark but it has emerged as as a functional weapon led by not only the talented backfield duo of Keaontay Ingram and Tre Watson but also Ehlinger himself.
The offensive line was the key part of the questions that surrounded the Longhorns ground game and as the season has gone on the starting five have gelled nicely. Prior to the first meeting Texas lacked Zach Shackelford and the offensive line looked the worse for it. He returned against the Sooners, allowing Elijiah Rodriguez to slide to guard and the group has improved considerably for the change.
Without question though the tackle duo of Calvin Anderson and Samuel Cosmi are the standouts of the offensive line led by Cosmi who has the makings of a future standout.