Oklahoma State Cowboys Coach Mike Gundy Explains What Makes Texas Longhorns Defense Line So Unique

Oklahoma State Cowboys coach Mike Gundy revealed what he thinks makes the Texas Longhorns defensive line one of the best in the country

The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma State Cowboys are set to face off for the Big 12 Championship in Arlington on Saturday, in what will be the final conference meeting ever between the two teams.

And over the last decade, the Cowboys have had an incredible amount of success against the Horns. In fact, Since 2010, the Cowboys have beaten Texas in nine of their 13 matchups, including the last two. 

Not to mention, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy is the only coach in the Big 12 (outside of UCF and Cincinnati whom the Longhorns won't play) that Steve Sarkisian has yet to beat. 

In other words, Gundy knows the Longhorns. 

So what does Gundy think makes the Longhorns so good in 2023? Their defense. Or more specifically, their defensive line, led by T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy.

“The majority of the teams that play in (the SEC) will have more girth and mass up front in their front six. Texas has always had that," Gundy said. "We’ve played them for years. They have ends that are 30 pounds heavier than most teams’ ends. They have inside guys that are 20 pounds heavier than most team’s inside guys.”

Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat :: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

Sweat and Murphy, of course, lead a Longhorns defensive line that is one of, if not the best in college football. 

Sweat, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 362 pounds, is an Outland Trophy finalist. Meanwhile, Murphy who somehow looks small in comparison at 6-foot-1 and 308 pounds, can bring an Aaron Donald-like impact with his ability to both stop the run and get after the passer.

And in tandem with one another, the two provided Texas with arguably the best run defense in the country. 

“They’re 2.9 per carry which is tough for the guys rushing the football against them. It’s interesting," Gundy said. "They’re a 35-point team scoring and only give up 17 so they’re double. Their margin is pretty big. It’s pretty rare that you see that. They’re 25 percent third down conversion defense which is pretty good. There’s a reason why they are where they are."

As a team whose identity is based around running the football like Oklahoma State's, that could be an issue - much like it was for Alabama, Baylor, Kansas State, Iowa State, and Texas Tech.

So what is Gundy's big plan for dealing with the dominant Longhorns interior? Block them. 

T’Vondre Sweat Named Outland Trophy Finalist

“Well, you can double-team them some," Gundy said. "You can let the widest guy go and double-team them and let that guy run and try to make a tackle. And we can do what we’ve done the last 15 years which is block them. You have to block a three-technique."

Easier said than done, Coach Gundy. 

Texas and Oklahoma State will kick off at 11 am CT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington.