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PROVO — The University of Texas Longhorns are one of the highest profile football programs in the country and as such are the highest profile opponent for BYU this season, despite coming off a down season in 2013.
Although BYU trounced them last season in Provo, Longhorns' new head coach Charlie Strong has kept that game on the minds of his players throughout the offseason and now has an opportunity to exact revenge on the embarrassing loss.
In their first game of the season, the Longhorns played against the North Texas Mean Green. In what should have been a tune-up game that the Longhorns won 38-7, they lost two key offensive players. Fifth-year senior Dominic Espinosa suffered a fractured ankle and quarterback David Ash showed concussion symptoms after the game. Espinosa has started 40 games for the Longhorns, more than the rest of the offensive line combined. Strong said that Ash will sit out the BYU game per concussion protocol.
Texas took another hit to its depth after Strong suspended offensive tackles Desmond Harrison and Kennedy Estelle due to a violation of team rules. Other starters who are still suspended include senior Daje Johnson and safety Josh Turner.
Meanwhile, BYU has five players returning from suspensions for this week's game. Running back Jamaal Williams, receiver Devon Blackmon, defensive lineman Marques Johnson and defensive backs Jordan Johnson and Robertson Daniel will each get significant playing time against the Longhorns.
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The big-name game is here already in just the second week of this season. There are plenty more teams this year that BYU will have to work very hard to beat, but Texas turns out to be the top name opponent.Williams' return is the most highly anticipated. The junior running back is in a position to become the all-time leading rusher for BYU this season. Last season he ran for over 1,200 yards. With greater emphasis being placed on Hill's passing game, Williams is expected to shoulder the bulk of the rushing load for BYU this year.
Blackmon will add a speedy target for Hill in the receivers' corps, improving both the depth and dynamics of the unit. Against UConn, Hill connected on passes with nine different receivers. Blackmon should be able to add more of a downfield presence to the offense.
Defensively, Marques Johnson will add depth to the defensive line that held UConn to just 71 yards on the ground. With Ash's injury, the Longhorns are expected to have a run-heavy offense, particularly with the experience and leadership of running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray.
Against UConn, BYU gave up 284 yards in the air. Jordan Johnson and Robertson Daniel back in the lineup will help the Cougars minimize the passing attack of sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes.
BYU will be Strong's first true test as the Longhorns' head coach. He was in his players' ears about BYU throughout the offseason. Texas senior defensive end Cedric Reed said, "That's all we hear about is BYU. We're ready to play BYU." Senior defensive back Quandre Driggs said earlier this summer, "As a pride factor, that ought to be something you have circled on your calendar, if you're a man." Reports have indicated that Strong became furious each time he watched the film from that game.
Yet Strong has a program in which he needs to establish order, and he suspended multiple players over the summer. The four players who will not be playing against BYU due to injury and violations of team rules will weaken the Longhorns. On the other side of the field, BYU is strengthened by the return of five players from suspension. To what degree it will affect the outcome of the game is, of course, yet to be seen. However, the personnel situations on both sides of the field are certainly in favor in the Cougars as they kick off in Austin against the Longhorns.
Paul Greenhalgh graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor's degree in history. He now teaches high school history and writes for Vanquishthefoe.com.
