The average top-end NFL defensive back plays anywhere from 60-65 snaps per game. Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron is averaging 60.8 snaps in 15 games for the Longhorns.

Elite NFL linebackers play anywhere from 62-68 snaps per game. UT’s Anthony Hill Jr. is averaging 54.5 plays per game.

Snap counts are worth monitoring as the college season grinds on through the College Football Playoffs. Texas had multiple players log more than 100 snaps in the Peach Bowl when you factor in offense, defense and special teams.

For years, fans have wanted a true NFL-style playoff system. Now that it’s here, the longer season is testing the boundaries of how far these 18- to 23-year-olds’ bodies hold up.

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“At the end of the day, we signed up for this, so we can't really complain,” Hill said. “Mentally, we feel like everybody's doing good. Your body may not feel the best, but at the end of the day, nobody cares. You have to go execute and get in the training room.”

The Peach Bowl was a physical and mental grind, a double-overtime nail-biter against Arizona State. Mukuba (102 snaps) and Barron (101) both crossed the century mark in defensive plays. Michael Taaffe logged 99 and Hill put in 94.

The Horns returned to Austin and had some downtime before starting up again for the Cotton Bowl. At this point in the season, film study and classroom X-and-O breakdowns are likely more important than physical practice.

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“We're taking this time to, for sure, get our bodies back,” defensive tackle Alfred Collins said. “That was a physical and long game, so we're really putting the emphasis on our treatment and getting our bodies right.”

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian noted that “we didn’t come this far just to come this far.”

Sarkisian has gone out of his way to help the Horns get plenty of rest during this long season, which began with preseason practice in late July. During off weeks, players were told to stay out of the football building and go home, spent time with friends or family, just do something anywhere but here.

A coach who has a strong belief in sports science and analytics, Sarkisian relies on staffers to measure each athlete’s speed, heart rate, endurance levels and when players should be flagged for rest.

Between semesters with no classes scheduled, the Horns are experiencing the closest thing to an NFL schedule as it can get. Players can spend 24 hours watching film, hanging out in the locker room or doing whatever they want to prepare for Ohio State.

“We're in a position where we've got the national spotlight on us. This is what you want,” Mukuba said. “For a guy like me, this is what I’ve wanted. So the more games we play, the better it is for us as a team to have the opportunity to reach our goal. And as an individual goal, it's the opportunity to go on the big stage and showcase your talent.”

For his part, Hill has enjoyed spending as much time with upperclassmen as possible. This group of Longhorns truly likes each other, which isn’t always the case on a team with 100 humans.

“Going into the bowl games, we’re playing games with each other a lot,” Hill said. “We had a lot of time to spend with each other. It’s been pretty good getting extra time with some of the guys, some of the extra linebackers, some of the seniors that are going to be gone next year.

“It's been pretty cool getting extra time with them and just chilling with them.”