Colin Simmons Is Out, But Rasheem Biles Has Texas Rolling On Defense

The Texas Longhorns have another defensive star demanding national attention, and his name is Rasheem Biles.

The senior linebacker was named the Chuck Bednarik Award National Player of the Week following a dominant performance in Texas' 31-3 destruction of Mississippi State. For a Longhorns defense already loaded with talent, Biles is quickly becoming one of its most indispensable players.

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And the timing couldn't be better.

With standout pass rusher Colin Simmons unavailable against the Bulldogs, Biles took matters into his own hands, recording eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

It wasn't simply a productive afternoon. It was the kind of performance that can completely change a football game.

Late in the second quarter, Biles delivered a crushing strip-sack of Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann. Defensive tackle Maraad Watson recovered the loose football and raced 61 yards for a touchdown, turning a 10-0 Texas advantage into a commanding 17-0 halftime lead.

That play effectively broke the Bulldogs' momentum.

Mississippi State entered the contest averaging 439.1 yards per game but managed only 187 against the Longhorns. The Bulldogs were limited to 68 rushing yards, 119 passing yards and a miserable 2.8 yards per play.

Texas finished with seven sacks and nine tackles for loss.

Biles was at the center of nearly everything.

His season statistics are becoming equally impressive. Through eight games, the former Pittsburgh transfer has 61 tackles, four sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

His tackles-for-loss total ranks fourth in the SEC, while his three forced fumbles lead the conference.

Biles also received SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week recognition for the third time this season. On Wednesday, he added the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week award to his growing collection of honors.

He's now the second Texas defender to earn Bednarik weekly recognition this season, joining Simmons, who received the honor September 29.

That combination should concern opposing offenses.

Texas isn't simply relying on one elite pass rusher anymore. The Longhorns have multiple defenders capable of wrecking an opponent's game plan.

That becomes especially important Saturday when Texas travels to face No. 19 Missouri in another critical SEC matchup.

The Longhorns enter the game at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, with their College Football Playoff hopes still very much alive.

The offense has experienced its share of inconsistency, making the defense increasingly important to Texas' championship ambitions.

MORE: Texas Lands At No. 7 In First CFP Rankings, Playoff Hopes Surge

And if Biles continues playing at this level, the Longhorns might not need their offense to be spectacular every Saturday.

Sometimes, a dominant defense is enough. And right now, Rasheem Biles is giving Texas exactly that.