Ranking BYU’s Opposing Defenses in 2014

Nov 2, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; The Texas Longhorns defense waits for play to resume against the Kansas Jayhawks during the fourth quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Texas beat Kansas 35-13. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

5. Texas

BYU @ Texas Saturday, September 6

Last year, Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams laid a beat down on the Horns’ defense that led to defensive coordinator Manny Diaz being fired.  This year, Texas will have a completely revamped coaching staff under Charlie Strong, including new defensive coordinator Vance Bradford.  Texas returns seven starters to the defense that was embarrassed in Provo, and it would have been eight if it was not for the recent exodus of players being kicked off the team by Strong.  The Horns also lost their only all conference performer, Jackson Jeffcoat, to graduation.  While fielding athletes will never be a problem at Texas, it will be interesting to see if Bradford can put together a tougher defense this year than we saw in Provo last year.  While there has been a lot of chatter from Texas on BYU being used as summer motivation for the Horns, it remains to be seen if the Horns will be an improved unit.

Player to Watch:  Jordan Hicks, OLB.  41 tackles and 3 tackles for loss in 2013.  16 of those tackles came against BYU.