Injuries and inconsistencies plague the Longhorns' run game. Can Baxter and Hutson's return ignite a late-season spark before crucial matchups?
It’s absolutely no secret that the Texas Longhorns' run game this season has been disappointing to say the least. Whether it’s injuries, poor offensive-line play, or Texas running backs leaving the program, the team’s run game just can’t seem to get a jump start.
The team currently averages 139.75 yards a game, a metric that ranks 80th in the nation and 11th in the SEC. Leading the pack is Quintrevion Wisner with 263 yards on 70 attempts (3.8 YPC). While that already seems like poor output on its own, 94 of those yards came in one game against Oklahoma. This means excluding the Red River Rivalry, Wisner is averaging 42.25 yards per game.
It doesn’t help that his counterpart, CJ Baxter, has missed half the games this season due to injuries. In the four games he’s played, he’s averaged 38 yards a game and 4.1 yards per carry.
While these stats are anything but promising, the team’s shown signs of having a competent rush game. Against Ohio State, the Longhorns averaged 4.48 yards per carry, a stark contrast to their 3.9 yards per carry for the entire season. But since suffering injuries, both Baxter and Wisner have yet to see a true return to that form.
However, there’s hope that Texas’ run game could see a late-season spark. Baxter finally made his return to the field against Mississippi State and while he only saw 28 yards on nine carries, simply seeing his presence on the field is a step in the right direction. Baxter's impact extends beyond his ability to run the ball. As the bigger back compared to Wisner, his abilities in pass protection could act as a key crutch for a Texas o-line that’s seen a significant dropoff.
The return of center Cole Hutson, who has missed every game since Oklahoma, could also bring more stability and communication to the offensive line. Hutson’s experience makes him a crucial piece in organizing protections and identifying defensive fronts. His presence in the middle could provide more consistency in run blocking, potentially giving the backs the space they’ve lacked in recent weeks.
If Texas wants to beat Vanderbilt, it could come down to a battle of the offenses. Whether it’s Caldwell or Manning leading the charge on Saturday, the offense will need to be prepared to keep up with the Commodores. This starts with the run game. It starts with Baxter and Wisner.