Through the first six games of the season, the Texas Longhorns have showcased a dominant offensive line, with three different players earning the title of SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Their impressive performance has set the stage for an exciting clash against the Georgia Bulldogs.
During their recent game against Oklahoma, the Longhorns faced some unexpected defensive strategies from the Sooners. However, the Texas offensive line proved to be formidable, quickly adapting to the challenges presented. “We just kind of had to adjust to it,” said center Jake Majors.
Texas has maintained an undefeated record so far, winning all six games, and their offensive line is steamrolling its way toward the prestigious Joe Moore Award, which is awarded to the nation’s best offensive line. Left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. recently received recognition as the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week, highlighting the group’s stellar performance.
Despite their success, Banks believes there’s always room for improvement. “I think every player always has more that they could have done in certain situations,” he said. “We go out and play our hardest, but there’s definitely more we can do to ensure we have the cleanest game possible from an execution standpoint.”
Against Oklahoma, Banks excelled in pass protection, not allowing any quarterback pressure on 35 drop-back plays. While the Sooners managed to record a sack on the first play of the game, they could only muster two quarterback hurries for the remainder of the contest. Overall, Texas has allowed just six sacks through six games, showcasing their prowess in both run and pass protection.
With a scoring offense ranked seventh nationally at 43.2 points per game and a total offense averaging 495.7 yards, the Longhorns are operating at a high level. They are also 13th in the country for third-down conversions (50%) and have scored 29 touchdowns on 33 trips inside the opponent’s red zone.
“They’re for real in the trenches,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged. “They’ve got really good players, and they’re built like an SEC team.” Smart also noted that his defensive unit performs best when rushing four players, emphasizing the challenge Texas will pose.
The Bulldogs’ outside linebacker Jalon Walker leads the team with 17 quarterback hurries and 1.5 sacks, but the Georgia defense has struggled to consistently bring down quarterbacks, with just 11 sacks this season.
Comparatively, Texas’s offensive line, consisting of Banks, Hayden Conner, Jake Majors, DJ Campbell, and Cam Williams, is currently playing exceptional football. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood deserves credit for their success, but there remains a commitment to continuous improvement.
“Of course, we just want to continue to get better in the run game and the pass protection game,” Majors said. “We’re far from a finished product. We still need to find efficient ways to communicate with each other.”
Majors explained that Flood simplifies offensive concepts to the point where they resemble “multiple-choice questions.” For example, if the defense presents a certain look, the offensive line knows exactly how to respond. The goal is to execute flawlessly, even if they haven’t practiced specific situations extensively during the week.
“Ultimately, offensive linemen can’t fail the exam. If you don’t know what to do, just go hit somebody,” he added.
Banks echoed Majors’ sentiments, acknowledging the progress the unit has made under Flood’s guidance. “We’ve had our bumps in the road and mistakes as a whole unit, but I feel like so far, we’ve been doing pretty good.”
As the Longhorns prepare to face the Bulldogs, they will need to leverage their formidable offensive line to overcome yet another challenging opponent. The upcoming matchup is sure to be a significant test for both teams, showcasing the strength and determination of Texas’s offensive front.
