Texas football running back Bijan Robinson had a breakout game against West Virginia. He finished the game with 113 rushing yards on 12 carries and brought in 38 receiving yards as well. Here are three reasons Robinson should start getting more carries.
Help Sam Ehlinger
Ehlinger is still the Longhorns leading rusher with 323 rushing yards. During the games Texas has played this season, he has taken some pretty good shots. The Longhorns need everyone on this team ready and healthy if they’re going to qualify for the Big 12 Championship.
Ehlinger’s level of play has taken a dip ever since the bye week. It’s possible he’s feeling the effects of the hits he’s taken over the course of the season. By running the ball efficiently and giving Robinson more carries. It will lead to controlling the time of possession, bring less of a pass rush from opponents and most importantly protect Ehlinger from taking more big hits.
Efficiency
Robinson has played well ever since the Longhorns came out of their first bye week, given the amount of carries he’s received each game. If Texas is going to control time of possession each game, it needs an efficient run game.
The Longhorns have been using the duo of Robinson and Roschon Johnson in their past couple of games. While it does seem to work, Robinson can become a workhorse for the Longhorns soon. They’ve played well together and this season, it remains to be seen how the Longhorns will approach their running game after Robinson’s big game and when Keaontay Ingram comes back from injury.
Time of possession
Controlling the time of possession is so important to team success. Texas was very fortunate to win against the Mountaineers, considering it lost the time of possession battle by eight minutes. Robinson’s explosive runs and his efficient running last week was much needed, but the rest of the offense played lackluster.
The defense saved Texas again for the second time this season. The Longhorns are going to be in much closer and higher scoring games, so keeping up with the opponent’s offense scoring wise is going to be very important. Playing better on offense will result in taking control of the game as well.
Looking forward
The Longhorns have more talented opponents left of their schedule. The offense needs to pick it up if Texas wants to save its season. Fortunately for the Longhorns, this week is their second bye week of the season.
The offense needs an efficient and consistent running game every week. Ehlinger can’t do this all by himself. It starts with giving Robinson more carries and making him the main Longhorn running back for the rest of the season. We’ll just have to wait and see what Tom Herman wants to do coming off the bye week.
One thing remains certain. If Robinson plays well the rest of the season and sees more opportunities to shine, Texas football may have a workhorse running back on its hands for at least the next three seasons.
