Harrison Wier
Staff Writer
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2016
- Messages
- 1,581
Last weekend, Texas finally defeated TCU for the first time in five years. Now, the Longhorns look to notch their first victory in Manhattan since 2002. Our staff looks at what Texas needs to do in order to achieve that goal, and if they can do so:
Daniel Seahorn (1-3)
The last two weeks this Longhorn team has proved me wrong. This week I’m hoping they prove me right as I pick them to win for the first time since the Maryland game. I said in my post game thoughts on Saturday that Texas had exercised their demons against a purple wizard of one complexion, but would have to do the same to another purple wizard the following Saturday.
It’s well documented that the Wildcats and Bill Snyder have owned the Longhorns when they travel to the Little Apple. But this is a year as good as any other to reverse their fortunes and to enter the Cotton Bowl riding a three-game win streak. KSU has notched wins over over South Dakota and UTSA, while getting boat raced by Mississippi State and West Virginia. The Wildcats seem to be experiencing some internal conflict on who the starting quarterback should be between Skylar Thompson and Alex Delton, but neither one has been great and both could play on Saturday.
On top of mediocre quarterback play, the KSU offensive line has been pretty bad, as the unit has already surrendered 14 sacks on the season. Todd Orlando has to be licking his chops, but at the same time he needs to be preaching assignment-sound football after what Delton was able to accomplish in Austin last season.
Texas is the more talented team on paper. They are more than capable of going up and putting this KSU team away. They need to show up and play like it come Saturday and not allow the doubt from previous seasons creep in.
Prediction: Texas 35, KSU 20
Jameson McCausland (3-1)
Winning in Manhattan has proved nearly impossible for Texas, who has not won at Kansas State since 2002. The good news is this is one of the worst teams the Wildcats will put on the field in quite some time. The bad news is Kansas State always gets up to play Texas, and they will surely come out with a sense of urgency knowing they can turn their season around with a victory.
The QB switch to Alex Delton hurts the Wildcats passing game, but it has been proven before that the way to beat Texas is forcing them to play fundamental football against the run.
Defensively for Kansas State, I expect the Wildcats to try to force Texas to try to have to move the ball down the field methodically. The Longhorns have never been mistaken for a disciplined team, and Bill Snyder knows it.
In the end, I think Texas will do just enough to win. At this point, style points don't matter, Texas simply needs to start Big 12 play 2-0. I expect another big game from Collin Johnson, and I believe that will be the difference.
Prediction: Texas 21, Kansas 17
Aaron Carrara (3-1)
The Longhorns continue to improve each week, and a large part of that has to do with the continuous improvement and maturity of Sam Ehlinger. Ehlinger’s play hasn’t been stellar this season, but it’s been better than serviceable, and that’s been the difference between wins and losses. Texas won’t march into Manhattan, a place where they haven’t won since 2002, and blow out the Wildcats. But they will do enough to get the job done. Bill Snyder is in a quarterback conundrum - one that will see Alex Delton starting under center. Delton lacks the passing ability that the benched Skylar Thompson has, but will attempt to run the ball on a stout Texas rush defense. Texas wins most of the matchups on paper, but the inability to win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium remains a reality. Texas wins this one by playing solid football and not turning the ball over while allowing a good defense to do their job.
Prediction: Texas 28, Kansas State 17
Harrison Wier (1-3)
Texas has really impressed over the past couple of weeks, but must come out with a victory in Manhattan on Saturday. If they can do so, fans will believe that they have turned the corner. Too often over the past decade, Texas has earned a big win or two and subsequently conceded a poor loss. Texas has its best opportunity in years to prove it is not that team anymore.
Bill Snyder decided earlier in the week to roll with QB Alex Delton, who gashed the Texas defense last season to the tune of 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. This season, the Texas run defense has been very sound. They will undoubtedly plan to stop Delton on the ground, and hopefully be prepared for the passing attack — which is not Delton's strong suit. I could easily see Delton and Skylar Thompson splitting snaps, similar to what Delton did with Jesse Ertz last season.
If the Texas offense can continue moving the ball against a struggling Kansas State defense, this game will go well for the Longhorns. However, playing in Manhattan is a different beast. I believe Texas will come away with the victory, but I expect it to be sloppy.
Prediction: Texas 24, Kansas State 17
Daniel Seahorn (1-3)
The last two weeks this Longhorn team has proved me wrong. This week I’m hoping they prove me right as I pick them to win for the first time since the Maryland game. I said in my post game thoughts on Saturday that Texas had exercised their demons against a purple wizard of one complexion, but would have to do the same to another purple wizard the following Saturday.
It’s well documented that the Wildcats and Bill Snyder have owned the Longhorns when they travel to the Little Apple. But this is a year as good as any other to reverse their fortunes and to enter the Cotton Bowl riding a three-game win streak. KSU has notched wins over over South Dakota and UTSA, while getting boat raced by Mississippi State and West Virginia. The Wildcats seem to be experiencing some internal conflict on who the starting quarterback should be between Skylar Thompson and Alex Delton, but neither one has been great and both could play on Saturday.
On top of mediocre quarterback play, the KSU offensive line has been pretty bad, as the unit has already surrendered 14 sacks on the season. Todd Orlando has to be licking his chops, but at the same time he needs to be preaching assignment-sound football after what Delton was able to accomplish in Austin last season.
Texas is the more talented team on paper. They are more than capable of going up and putting this KSU team away. They need to show up and play like it come Saturday and not allow the doubt from previous seasons creep in.
Prediction: Texas 35, KSU 20
Jameson McCausland (3-1)
Winning in Manhattan has proved nearly impossible for Texas, who has not won at Kansas State since 2002. The good news is this is one of the worst teams the Wildcats will put on the field in quite some time. The bad news is Kansas State always gets up to play Texas, and they will surely come out with a sense of urgency knowing they can turn their season around with a victory.
The QB switch to Alex Delton hurts the Wildcats passing game, but it has been proven before that the way to beat Texas is forcing them to play fundamental football against the run.
Defensively for Kansas State, I expect the Wildcats to try to force Texas to try to have to move the ball down the field methodically. The Longhorns have never been mistaken for a disciplined team, and Bill Snyder knows it.
In the end, I think Texas will do just enough to win. At this point, style points don't matter, Texas simply needs to start Big 12 play 2-0. I expect another big game from Collin Johnson, and I believe that will be the difference.
Prediction: Texas 21, Kansas 17
Aaron Carrara (3-1)
The Longhorns continue to improve each week, and a large part of that has to do with the continuous improvement and maturity of Sam Ehlinger. Ehlinger’s play hasn’t been stellar this season, but it’s been better than serviceable, and that’s been the difference between wins and losses. Texas won’t march into Manhattan, a place where they haven’t won since 2002, and blow out the Wildcats. But they will do enough to get the job done. Bill Snyder is in a quarterback conundrum - one that will see Alex Delton starting under center. Delton lacks the passing ability that the benched Skylar Thompson has, but will attempt to run the ball on a stout Texas rush defense. Texas wins most of the matchups on paper, but the inability to win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium remains a reality. Texas wins this one by playing solid football and not turning the ball over while allowing a good defense to do their job.
Prediction: Texas 28, Kansas State 17
Harrison Wier (1-3)
Texas has really impressed over the past couple of weeks, but must come out with a victory in Manhattan on Saturday. If they can do so, fans will believe that they have turned the corner. Too often over the past decade, Texas has earned a big win or two and subsequently conceded a poor loss. Texas has its best opportunity in years to prove it is not that team anymore.
Bill Snyder decided earlier in the week to roll with QB Alex Delton, who gashed the Texas defense last season to the tune of 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. This season, the Texas run defense has been very sound. They will undoubtedly plan to stop Delton on the ground, and hopefully be prepared for the passing attack — which is not Delton's strong suit. I could easily see Delton and Skylar Thompson splitting snaps, similar to what Delton did with Jesse Ertz last season.
If the Texas offense can continue moving the ball against a struggling Kansas State defense, this game will go well for the Longhorns. However, playing in Manhattan is a different beast. I believe Texas will come away with the victory, but I expect it to be sloppy.
Prediction: Texas 24, Kansas State 17
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61581277/858768670.jpg.0.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13176885/Screen_Shot_2017_02_21_at_1.53.11_PM.png)
