Texas defenses are considered “best in the country” after A&M’s closure.

COLLEGE STATION – The Aggies lined up for a fourth-and-short run just inches from the Texas goal line.

Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. threw on a jersey and grabbed a fork and knife.

“Do you think you’re just going to run a yard straight at us?” Hill asked rhetorically after Texas’ 17-7 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday night at Kyle Field. “I feel like you’ve lost your mind.”

Lost your mind? That might be a step too far. But the Aggies undoubtedly lost momentum – and perhaps the game – when running back Amari Daniels was completely swallowed up by Texas defensive lineman Ethan Burke on that fourth down attempt with 4:39 left in the fourth quarter of a 10-point game.

Daniels suffered a three-yard loss and a turnover on downs. The Aggies didn’t get that close to the end zone again.

The Longhorns defense just wouldn’t let it happen.

“The best in the nation,” defensive lineman Alfred Collins said.

It could just be that way. At least that’s what it looked like on Saturday evening. Texas’ offense was imperfect and other than an effective second quarter, they failed to mount an effective passing attack. His special teams scored a missed field goal (albeit a long 48-yard attempt by Bert Auburn at the end of the second quarter) and allowed a blocked punt in the fourth quarter.

His defense didn’t allow a single point. Consider this: During a second half in which the Texas offense ended five consecutive drives with a punt, a pick-six, a fumble and two more punts, the Longhorns’ defense gave up just 103 total yards and held off the Aggies Distance 1:5 success rate on third and fourth downs and not a single point in one of college football’s toughest venues.

“We play really good defense,” head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “We continue to play really good defense. I thought we did a good job of limiting the quarterback in his scramble, I thought we kept the ball in front of us, I thought we tackled well tonight. That’s exactly who we are.”

The Longhorns held Texas A&M to a shutout first half with two punts, a turnover on downs and an interception (courtesy of senior safety Michael Taaffe). The Aggies ended both of their third quarter possessions (one of which was set up by a Quinn Ewers fumble) with punts. Burke blew one of their drives in the fourth quarter; The other end ended when defensive lineman Trey Moore sacked quarterback Marcel Reed with 1:36 to play.

Moore and senior defensive lineman Vernon Broughton each had two sacks. In total, the line tallied six tackles for loss and contained Reed (56 rushing yards on 14 attempts) enough to hold off the Aggies’ attack.

The Longhorns’ defense is said to be the second-best unit in all of college football Pro Football Focusj. Only Ohio State (which lost to Michigan on Saturday) is higher. The Longhorns and Buckeyes have each allowed an FBS-low 14 touchdowns. The Longhorns ranked second in passing yards allowed and 14th in rushing yards allowed per game before The victory on Saturday.

Hill, a statesman if there is one, said there are “a lot of great defenses” in college football when asked Saturday who has the best.

A reporter then told him that Broughton had said the honor belonged to Texas.

“I agree with him,” Hill said.

It’s hard to argue anyway.

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