Longhorns to watch in Red River: Taaffe's leadership looms large this week

Texas has entered Red River Shootout week after a frustrating loss in Gainesville. Oklahoma awaits on Saturday, and there are a number of players that need to step up for Texas to get back on track. This week is about optimizing some type of run game, playing with an edge on the LOS and finding the right five on the OL. Although these players won’t fix all the problems, they could disguise some, at least in the short-term. 

CJ Baxter & Jerrick Gibson 

These, to me, are the two RBs that Texas needs to lead with the rest of the way. That’s not to say Tre Wisner shouldn’t get touches, but Baxter and Gibson are both strong in between the tackles and attack downhill fast. That is what the Texas run game needs if the OL is not going to be able to win their battles for long. Baxter could play Saturday, but hasn’t gone through a full practice yet. Gibson did not play against Florida, which is surprising to me, but the physicality he brings to the table is a must for Texas moving forward, particularly on Saturday. 

Emmett Mosley V 

In a disappointing offensive performance, Mosley V flashed a number of times. If Arch isn’t hit and is able to hit him on the double move, he is looking at 100+ yards and a TD on the day. He’s strong, a big target and a crisp route runner, but most importantly, he can bring the screen game to another level. He’s a very strong blocker, and given the struggles of the OL, quick screen game and WR blocking becomes that much more important. Mosley V needs to be targeted more this weekend and utilized both as a receiver and blocker. 

Ethan Burke

Texas had a massive problem last weekend setting the edge on defense. As the game went on, they were able to make some plays, but it was inconsistent and lacked the physicality that is needed. The Oklahoma OL has not been as good as Florida’s this season, but the Texas DL needs to play at a much higher level. Ethan Burke is the guy that can bring that length and physicality for the Longhorns this weekend. If the Texas edges don’t play well, whichever Oklahoma QB is out there is going to have all the running room in the world. 

Jack Endries 

This is one of the more interesting players, both because of what he can do and how much he will be used. He is still firmly the TE1, but if Sarkisian decides to spread things out more, that would lead to less TE heavy sets. He’s been missed on multiple open TDs, including by Ryan Wingo on a double pass last week. Endries is a plus receiver, and Sarkisian and company likely didn’t expect to need him as a blocker this much. If Texas can utilize him in the underneath game, allowing him to work after the catch, he can be unlocked the way Longhorn fans had hoped for. 

Ty’Anthony Smith 

There are a number of things I would love to see from the Longhorns this weekend, but the number one thing is “nastiness”. The Longhorns lacked that in Gainesville, and it showed. One player that didn’t lack that is Ty’Anthony Smith. The sophomore LB is the biggest revelation on the team, and with the energy Red River brings to the table, I think Smith could shine. The other massive part is his ability to spy and slow down a starting QB’s legs is huge. He will be called on quite a bit in this one and I fully believe he will rise to the occasion. 

Michael Taaffe

This week is about the leadership and culture of the program. Michael Taaffe is the obvious heartbeat of this team and he needs to lead the way this week and weekend. Taaffe is 2-1 in Red River games he’s played in and would love to leave with a winning record in this one. His energy, approach and mentality this week will define what the rest of the secondary and defense does. That is a heavy load to carry, but it’s something he is plenty capable of. He’s played in “bigger” games, but this one has an importance that might need to be explained to some, but not Taaffe.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns to watch in Dallas: Taaffe, other leaders lead the way