Chuck Carlton

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AUSTIN – A Texas defense that began the season measuring its success in hurries, pressures and knockdowns has evolved.

All those near-misses in the first two games were just a prelude. Seven sacks in each of the last two games have moved the Longhorns into a tie for the national lead in that category. The Texas defense has arrived, at least when it comes to the opposing backfield.

For lack of a better term, call it the Muschamp effect.

New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has brought SEC intensity, which manifests itself everywhere from sideline explosions to his Monday meeting with the press. Asked about facing a charged atmosphere in tonight's game at Colorado, Muschamp almost betrayed a smile.

"We need to have some adversity," Muschamp said. "It's time for that."

More than most years, the defense could be the difference for Texas. Nearly everybody in the Big 12 has offense. Just check the numbers. Oklahoma, at least based on national statistics and perception, has the top defense. Everybody else – Texas Tech, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma State – is hopeful, at best; suspect, at worst.

If Texas transforms into a shut-down defense, the conference equation could change.

The attitude has resulted in a defined defensive identity.

"This defense is just a hard-working team that just loves to get better, loves to be relentless, loves to chase the ball and hates for people to make plays on us," defensive tackle Roy Miller said.

Sounds simple? Not really.

Miller recalls Muschamp adding new play after new play for the Arkansas game, and feeling like his brain was set to overload.

Plus, Muschamp has a knack for putting his top people in position to make plays. Not every new coordinator, no matter how accomplished, can make the adjustment. Witness the problems Auburn has experienced implementing the spread offense under new coordinator Tony Franklin.

One example: Muschamp moved linebacker Sergio Kindle, a great athlete from Woodrow Wilson with rush skills, next to rampaging defensive end Brian Orakpo against Arkansas. The result was a red alert for the Razorbacks.

Orakpo, whom coach Mack Brown called one of the best pure pass rushers of the past decade at Texas, was hobbled by an ailing right knee most of last season. He finished with 5½ sacks. He has matched that total in four games this season.

Kindle acknowledged a competition among the players for sacks.

"There was," he said, "until Rak [Orakpo] started taking them all. Now we're just fighting for scraps."

Still, nine players have at least one sack, and the team has 16, tying Air Force and Tulane atop the national list.

Those totals could grow against Colorado. The Buffaloes have lost two linemen to season-ending injuries, including starting right tackle Ryan Miller, and are young and vulnerable.

Texas' pass rush has helped a young, inexperienced secondary get on-the-job training without much harm. At the same time, linemen credited the defensive backs with several coverage sacks.

"The more time they give us to get there, the more we can get pressure, because if they're not covering we're not getting there," defensive tackle Lamarr Houston said. "They deserve a lot of credit."

Texas' Brian Orakpo, who ranks second nationally in sacks per game, lists his top three pass-rush moves:

1. Speed to power: Pretty much like it sounds, Orakpo engages with his quickness, and then uses his strength to get past the blocker.

2. Jab/swim: A quick hit, then Orakpo uses his arms to push past the blocker.

3. Freestyle: All of the above. Or more. Ad-libbing to find what works.

1. Coordinators, take notes: Big 12 rivals might be taking a long look at how Nebraska's defense plays Missouri today. First-year Nebraska coach Bo Pelini possesses one of the best defensive minds in the country. While he might not have the personnel to prevent Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and co. from getting Missouri's first win in Lincoln since 1978, expect some interesting looks from the Cornhuskers. Plus Nebraska probably has emotional fuel after last season's 41-6 loss, when Daniel likened the defensive scheme "to high school stuff.

2. Sudden Pitt-fall for No. 10 USF: National title contenders got another reminder Thursday that even the most mundane-looking game can end badly. South Florida, ranked 10th, somehow lost to Pittsburgh. Yes, that's the same Pittsburgh that lost to Bowling Green in its season opener and barely escaped struggling Iowa. Yet Pitt left Tampa with a 26-21 victory. The win gave a much-needed boost to Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, the former Cowboys assistant from the Jimmy Johnson era. It also gave the Panthers consecutive victories over top-10 teams, including last season's upset of West Virginia.

3. Buffs' Scott not great just yet: Darrell Scott hasn't become the starting tailback at Colorado as Big 12 play begins. Neither is he likely to be the conference's freshman of the year, though teammate Rodney Stewart has a good shot at that. Scott has yet to live up the hype that greeted his decision to attend Colorado over Texas earlier this year. Part of it has been his own doing – he reported late and heavy after having to take a summer algebra class. Injuries have been a factor, too. "Everybody wants the rookie or the freshman to come in and set the place on fire," Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins told The Associated Press. "I'm more concerned with all the intangible things, because I know at some point he's going to be a great player."

4. Focus on Sundays, Jerry: That Dr. Lou segment ESPN has been trumpeting started off slowly, but it might have reached its high point this week. What poor soul was quizzing Lou Holtz for advice? That would be one Jerry Jones, not in his role as the Cowboys' owner but as a proud Arkansas alum wondering what has happened to his beloved Razorbacks. Arkansas, under first-year coach Bobby Petrino, yielded 101 points in losses to Alabama and Texas. "You know I'm a very patient man," Jones said with a perfect delivery, "but how do I maintain?"