Texas Offense vs. Iowa Defense
The big question is which McCoy will be playing at the quarterback position for the Longhorns. When healthy, freshman Colt McCoy showed a ton of maturity and leadership for a player with limited experience. He also made huge strides as a passer, throwing for 2,262 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, McCoy struggled physically down the stretch and suffered a pinched nerve in his neck versus Texas A&M. As such, his status for the bowl game is still unclear.
Texas vs. Iowa
When: Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Texas had a talented true freshman back-up in Jevan Snead, but McCoy's excellent play led to Snead's decision to transfer to Ole Miss. Now Texas is practicing with senior walk-on Matt McCoy at the starting quarterback spot. Matt McCoy has never thrown a pass in college and if he is forced to start the game it could level the playing field for Iowa. From what we're hearing there's still a good chance that Colt will get the start but there's still no guarantee.
The Longhorn offense has looked much sharper when a healthy Colt McCoy is at the helm. Luckily for Texas it will be facing a defense that is banged up and struggling. The Iowa defense ranks 63rd versus the run and will be challenged by a solid Texas run game featuring two talented backs. Speedy Jamaal Charles is the main ball carrier and averages 5.3 yards per carry. Senior Selvin Young is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. The two have combined for 13 touchdowns and form a productive duo. The Hawkeyes have some talent in their front seven but are severely undersized and will likely be without defensive end Kenny Iwebema. Defensive tackles Matt Kroul and Mitch King are tough and quick, but at about 271 and 264 pounds, respectively, they will be faced with a big size disadvantage versus Texas' overgrown interior offensive line. Iowa middle linebacker Mike Klinkenborg has been a tackling machine, but he will find it tough getting to the ball if King and Kroul cannot hold their ground. Iowa will need its aggressive safety Miguel Merrick to help in run support. If Texas can run the ball, it can take pressure off whichever McCoy lines up at quarterback.
Texas has the weapons to throw the ball and make plays through the air. Limas Sweed at 6-foot-5 is a tough matchup. He has 11 touchdown catches on the year and is averaging 17 yards per catch. Iowa corner Charles Godfrey has good size, but will be tested. Sweed, along with fellow receivers Quan Cosby and Billy Pittman can spread the Iowa defense and make it tough to defend the run and cover all the necessary targets. A key for Iowa is pressuring the quarterback. Texas has been suspect in its pass protection especially in its two late season losses. Iowa however has not been great at getting to the quarterback in 2006. It has generated only 21 sacks and ranks 81st nationally in the sacks per game category. Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker does not like to bring pressure and likes to play sound defense. However, he may have to come with more pressure packages than normal to try and rough up the Texas quarterback and generate some big plays for his defense.
Iowa Offense vs. Texas Defense
It has been a disappointing end to senior Drew Tate's career. One of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Iowa history has battled through nagging injuries and has failed to meet expectations during his final campaign. He has thrown for 2,349 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he also has thrown 12 interceptions and has been extremely erratic as a passer and overall decision maker. With all that in mind, Tate will get one more shot to go out a winner in his home state of Texas.
Iowa's offensive woes go far beyond the play of its quarterback, as the unit's biggest issue is its lack of any true playmakers on the perimeter. True freshman WR Dominique Douglas has been a pleasant surprise by leading the team in receptions but there has been little consistency at the position otherwise. While Texas has not been spectacular statistically against the pass, it is still a secondary that has Aaron Ross at corner and Michael Griffin at safety. Tate will need to be smart with the ball and spread it around. RB Albert Young presents a target out of the backfield and 6-foot-7 TE Scott Chandler is a big target over the middle. Chandler is one of the offense's biggest weapons and will need to have a big day. The problem, however, is that Chandler draws a tough matchup versus a physical and faster defender in Michael Griffin. His height though could pay dividends in the red zone.
The real question for Iowa is can it run the ball against a Texas defense that ranks second nationally versus the run. Iowa has two talented running backs in Young and Damian Sims. Young is not a big-play back, but he is productive. Sims presents a bit more of a big-play threat. Facing a fast Texas defense, it will be tough for Iowa to run east and west, which is why we expect Iowa to line up and become physical with a north-south approach on the ground. Iowa could take advantage of the possible absence of defensive tackle Derek Lokey.
If Iowa cannot run the ball, its offense could struggle to get anything going. The unit has been a portrait of balance in 2006, attempting 398 runs and 398 passes. To that end, this offense will really struggle if it falls behind and is forced play catch-up, as it does not have the weapons at wide receiver or the offensive line talent to spark a comeback with big plays via the air.
Special Teams
Senior Greg Johnson started out more or less as a one-man show for the Longhorns kicking game. While Texas does not kick many field goals, Johnson has struggled. He is 3-of-6 on the year and missed 3-of-4 between 30 and 50 yards. Ryan Bailey has been handling the kicking as of late. He is 4-of-4 with a long of only 24. He has not attempted a kick past 30 yards. Johnson started handling kickoffs, but true freshman Hunter Lawrence handles the duty now. Johnson still handles the punting and is averaging 41.2 yards per punt. He has had one punt blocked on the year.
Texas has some players capable of making noise in the return game. Aaron Ross handles punt return duties. In 2006 he averaged 11.5 yards per return with one return for a touchdown. Speedy receiver Quan Cosby has handled two punts and returned one for a touchdown. Cosby and Selvin Young handle the kick returns. Young is averaging 21.2 yards per return and has a long of 40 yards.
Texas is dangerous on special teams not only because it has the players to hurt you with returns but also because the Horns are so good at blocking kicks. As a team in 2006 they have blocked five total kicks.
Iowa senior Kyle Schlicher has handled the place kicking duties. He was 12-of-18 this year with a long of 45 yards. Austin Signor, who was not listed on the depth chart coming out of spring ball, handled the majority of kickoffs. Senior Andy Fenstermaker is the punter and after struggling last year with a 38.5 yard per punt average is struggling once again. He is averaging 37.2 yards per punt.
Sophomore wide receiver Andy Brodell has handled the punt returns with Dominique Douglas. Running backs Shonn Greene and Sims have been handling the kick return duties. Iowa's punt cover unit ranks second in the nation allowing 2.83 yards per return.
Matchups
? Iowa TE Scott Chandler vs. Texas DS Michael Griffin
? Texas RB Jamaal Charles vs. Iowa MLB Mike Klinkenborg
? Texas WR Limas Sweed vs. Iowa CB Charles Godfrey
Scouts' Edge
The one thing going in the Hawkeyes favor at this point is that they could be facing a walk-on quarterback who has never thrown a college pass in Matt McCoy. Texas enters this game having lost its last two outings and it has shown lots of vulnerability when a healthy Colt McCoy is not leading the way. Even so, the chips are stacked heavily against Iowa in this matchup. You have to expect Iowa will come in and lay it on the line, but in the end will just be overmatched. The Longhorns have entirely too much speed on the perimeter -- both offensively and defensively -- for the Hawkeyes to hold up for an entire four-quarter affair.
Prediction: Longhorns 35, Hawkeyes 20
The big question is which McCoy will be playing at the quarterback position for the Longhorns. When healthy, freshman Colt McCoy showed a ton of maturity and leadership for a player with limited experience. He also made huge strides as a passer, throwing for 2,262 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, McCoy struggled physically down the stretch and suffered a pinched nerve in his neck versus Texas A&M. As such, his status for the bowl game is still unclear.
Texas vs. Iowa
When: Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: San Antonio, Texas
Texas had a talented true freshman back-up in Jevan Snead, but McCoy's excellent play led to Snead's decision to transfer to Ole Miss. Now Texas is practicing with senior walk-on Matt McCoy at the starting quarterback spot. Matt McCoy has never thrown a pass in college and if he is forced to start the game it could level the playing field for Iowa. From what we're hearing there's still a good chance that Colt will get the start but there's still no guarantee.
The Longhorn offense has looked much sharper when a healthy Colt McCoy is at the helm. Luckily for Texas it will be facing a defense that is banged up and struggling. The Iowa defense ranks 63rd versus the run and will be challenged by a solid Texas run game featuring two talented backs. Speedy Jamaal Charles is the main ball carrier and averages 5.3 yards per carry. Senior Selvin Young is averaging 4.6 yards per carry. The two have combined for 13 touchdowns and form a productive duo. The Hawkeyes have some talent in their front seven but are severely undersized and will likely be without defensive end Kenny Iwebema. Defensive tackles Matt Kroul and Mitch King are tough and quick, but at about 271 and 264 pounds, respectively, they will be faced with a big size disadvantage versus Texas' overgrown interior offensive line. Iowa middle linebacker Mike Klinkenborg has been a tackling machine, but he will find it tough getting to the ball if King and Kroul cannot hold their ground. Iowa will need its aggressive safety Miguel Merrick to help in run support. If Texas can run the ball, it can take pressure off whichever McCoy lines up at quarterback.
Texas has the weapons to throw the ball and make plays through the air. Limas Sweed at 6-foot-5 is a tough matchup. He has 11 touchdown catches on the year and is averaging 17 yards per catch. Iowa corner Charles Godfrey has good size, but will be tested. Sweed, along with fellow receivers Quan Cosby and Billy Pittman can spread the Iowa defense and make it tough to defend the run and cover all the necessary targets. A key for Iowa is pressuring the quarterback. Texas has been suspect in its pass protection especially in its two late season losses. Iowa however has not been great at getting to the quarterback in 2006. It has generated only 21 sacks and ranks 81st nationally in the sacks per game category. Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker does not like to bring pressure and likes to play sound defense. However, he may have to come with more pressure packages than normal to try and rough up the Texas quarterback and generate some big plays for his defense.
Iowa Offense vs. Texas Defense
It has been a disappointing end to senior Drew Tate's career. One of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Iowa history has battled through nagging injuries and has failed to meet expectations during his final campaign. He has thrown for 2,349 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he also has thrown 12 interceptions and has been extremely erratic as a passer and overall decision maker. With all that in mind, Tate will get one more shot to go out a winner in his home state of Texas.
Iowa's offensive woes go far beyond the play of its quarterback, as the unit's biggest issue is its lack of any true playmakers on the perimeter. True freshman WR Dominique Douglas has been a pleasant surprise by leading the team in receptions but there has been little consistency at the position otherwise. While Texas has not been spectacular statistically against the pass, it is still a secondary that has Aaron Ross at corner and Michael Griffin at safety. Tate will need to be smart with the ball and spread it around. RB Albert Young presents a target out of the backfield and 6-foot-7 TE Scott Chandler is a big target over the middle. Chandler is one of the offense's biggest weapons and will need to have a big day. The problem, however, is that Chandler draws a tough matchup versus a physical and faster defender in Michael Griffin. His height though could pay dividends in the red zone.
The real question for Iowa is can it run the ball against a Texas defense that ranks second nationally versus the run. Iowa has two talented running backs in Young and Damian Sims. Young is not a big-play back, but he is productive. Sims presents a bit more of a big-play threat. Facing a fast Texas defense, it will be tough for Iowa to run east and west, which is why we expect Iowa to line up and become physical with a north-south approach on the ground. Iowa could take advantage of the possible absence of defensive tackle Derek Lokey.
If Iowa cannot run the ball, its offense could struggle to get anything going. The unit has been a portrait of balance in 2006, attempting 398 runs and 398 passes. To that end, this offense will really struggle if it falls behind and is forced play catch-up, as it does not have the weapons at wide receiver or the offensive line talent to spark a comeback with big plays via the air.
Special Teams
Senior Greg Johnson started out more or less as a one-man show for the Longhorns kicking game. While Texas does not kick many field goals, Johnson has struggled. He is 3-of-6 on the year and missed 3-of-4 between 30 and 50 yards. Ryan Bailey has been handling the kicking as of late. He is 4-of-4 with a long of only 24. He has not attempted a kick past 30 yards. Johnson started handling kickoffs, but true freshman Hunter Lawrence handles the duty now. Johnson still handles the punting and is averaging 41.2 yards per punt. He has had one punt blocked on the year.
Texas has some players capable of making noise in the return game. Aaron Ross handles punt return duties. In 2006 he averaged 11.5 yards per return with one return for a touchdown. Speedy receiver Quan Cosby has handled two punts and returned one for a touchdown. Cosby and Selvin Young handle the kick returns. Young is averaging 21.2 yards per return and has a long of 40 yards.
Texas is dangerous on special teams not only because it has the players to hurt you with returns but also because the Horns are so good at blocking kicks. As a team in 2006 they have blocked five total kicks.
Iowa senior Kyle Schlicher has handled the place kicking duties. He was 12-of-18 this year with a long of 45 yards. Austin Signor, who was not listed on the depth chart coming out of spring ball, handled the majority of kickoffs. Senior Andy Fenstermaker is the punter and after struggling last year with a 38.5 yard per punt average is struggling once again. He is averaging 37.2 yards per punt.
Sophomore wide receiver Andy Brodell has handled the punt returns with Dominique Douglas. Running backs Shonn Greene and Sims have been handling the kick return duties. Iowa's punt cover unit ranks second in the nation allowing 2.83 yards per return.
Matchups
? Iowa TE Scott Chandler vs. Texas DS Michael Griffin
? Texas RB Jamaal Charles vs. Iowa MLB Mike Klinkenborg
? Texas WR Limas Sweed vs. Iowa CB Charles Godfrey
Scouts' Edge
The one thing going in the Hawkeyes favor at this point is that they could be facing a walk-on quarterback who has never thrown a college pass in Matt McCoy. Texas enters this game having lost its last two outings and it has shown lots of vulnerability when a healthy Colt McCoy is not leading the way. Even so, the chips are stacked heavily against Iowa in this matchup. You have to expect Iowa will come in and lay it on the line, but in the end will just be overmatched. The Longhorns have entirely too much speed on the perimeter -- both offensively and defensively -- for the Hawkeyes to hold up for an entire four-quarter affair.
Prediction: Longhorns 35, Hawkeyes 20
