Quarterback to Back: Can OSU’s Defense Subdue a Dinged Up Sam Ehlinger?

The Cowboys play host to the Longhorns in what should be the greatest uniform matchup of all time according to Kyle Porter (I think I agree). But oohs and awes will quickly give way to the real action on the field, especially if things go south for the Pokes.

With a crucial homecoming game right out of the bye week, let’s look at the most important matchup on the field, and see how Taylor Cornelius and Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger stack up.

If you were to literally stand these two side-by-side, Cornelius would have the edge by about three inches. But if you measure their production and season so far — especially the results in the win column — it flips in favor of the visiting QB.

Limiting Mistakes

Ehlinger, who gift-wrapped Ramon Richards the ugliest win of OSU’s 2017 season — with an even uglier INT in the end zone — has mostly cleaned up his act in 2018.

After finishing with an 11-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio a year ago, Ehlinger already has 11 passing scores against just two interceptions in seven games as a sophomore. In fact, both of those picks came in Texas’ only loss, against Maryland in Week 1. Since then he has thrown a Longhorn record 168-straight passes without an INT.

Cornelius, on the other hand, has been prone to air-mailing passes and throwing into double coverage which has resulted in an excessive interception count. Since his zero-TD, two-pick K-State game, Cornelius has dropped from T-2nd nationally to T-3rd with his eight picks through seven games. Mostly because OSU … had a bye week.

If the Cowboys do make the postseason, Cornelius is on pace for 15 interceptions, the most by an Oklahoma State QB since 1991 when Kenny Ford threw it away 18 times. At this clip (1.14 per game), Cornelius would hit 14 in the regular season only, the most since Tone Jones hit that mark in 1994.

Dinged Up

Both QBs are coming off of a bye week, but Cornelius gets the nod in terms of health.

Ehlinger left the game against Baylor two weeks ago with an AC sprain in his right, throwing shoulder. His status was unclear for much of the bye week, with Texas coach Tom Herman listing his Nerf ball throws numbers as late as Wednesday.

But on Thursday evening, Herman indicated that Ehlinger would start in Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday night.

Texas coach Tom Herman says QB Sam Ehlinger should be “ready to go” for Oklahoma State after practicing all week. He should start.

— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) October 25, 2018

Even if his arm isn’t 100 percent, the sophomore QB can still be effective. With his build, proven toughness and capable wheels, Ehlinger can make you pay on the ground, something that will make OSU fans nervous if they’ve paid attention this season during their lifetime.

Ehlinger is not the fastest or strongest QB, but the aforementioned grit serves him well and he leads all Big 12 quarterbacks with six rushing TDs.

Key to Slowing Down Ehlinger = Pressure

The one thing that Oklahoma State’s defense has been good at all season is getting to, around, hitting and sacking the QB. The Pokes lead the nation with 30 sacks and a 4.3 per-game average.

And when this Longhorn quarterback has been under pressure, he’s seen his effectiveness take a nosedive.

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger sees a drastic spike in his statistics when pressured. Can the Texas offensive line keep him upright against Oklahoma State?https://t.co/iizZMCxmyZ pic.twitter.com/hflp9mU3mD

— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 25, 2018

The problem will be keeping contain on him. You have to respect his ability to pick up a first down, as mentioned above, and covering UT’s big physical receivers will be key for an OSU secondary that has shown a propensity to get lit up so far this year.

This is going to be an uphill battle all the way for the Cowboys, but if they can put pressure on Ehlinger, keep him contained in the pocket and avoid getting absolutely torched on the deep ball, this Longhorns offense will look pretty pedestrian.