What Questions Need Answered This Weekend Against UTSA?

The Cowboys creamed the road-runners last season by 30 points, in which Daxx Garman lit up the defense for 315 yards and two touchdowns.

In his press conference this week, head coach Larry Coker said that he expects OSU to run the ball a lot, and also expects shots to be taken down field similarly to last season. Here are three questions I hope to have answered (at least partially) on Saturday.

3. Will Brandon Sheperd emerge as Rudolph’s top target again?

Last season, Sheperd caught 12 passes for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns against OU and Washington. He suffered a dislocated finger and was limited in the season opener. He was also limited target wise on Saturday but Gundy tells Mark Cooper that he is “fine” and that “he needs 6-8 touches a game.” If he is able to fully recover from his lingering issues, I would expect him to emerge as the clear No. 1 moving forward into Big 12 play.

2. Ummm, can we run?

Kyle seems to think that the running game may not be so bad, but I slightly disagree – at least until there is notable improvement up front. Gundy has said that there won’t be any changes to the lineup for the big men up front, but another less than spectacular performance may induce shifts up front before they face off against the Longhorns in Austin.

1. Is the defense going to continue to be ‘violent’?

“I thought we played violent, which is what we ask of them.” Of course Glenn Spencer said that.

The Central Bros. aren’t necessarily the cream of the crop non-conference foes, but so far the defense has been extraordinary – only allowing 21 points through two contests. UTSA is 0-2. but faced some offensive challenges last week against fellow Big 12 member Kansas State. Can they continue the violent streak? I’m going to go out on a (very small) limb and say yes. The #WTIB (We’re taking it back) mantra hasn’t lived up to expectations yet, but I expect the defense to finally create some turnovers in the contest Saturday.