Mike Roach
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Mike Roach
After a thrilling loss to Cal, Texas looks to build on the momentum Jerrod Heard generated last week. While the Longhorns have fought through a pretty tough non-conference schedule, Oklahoma State experienced struggles against Central Michigan and Central Arkansas before blowing UTSA out of the water. Their last victory was aided by a large number of turnovers. Oklahoma State certainly has weapons in Mason Rudolph and his group of skill players, along with a fierce defensive line led by Emmauel Ogbah. Maybe the Cowboys have been playing down to their competition but I think their struggles are indicative of some problems they have that will catch up with them. So here's the deal, Jerrod heard doesn't go for 500 yards again, but he will compile over 300 yards in the air and on the ground. Hassan Ridgeway has a breakthrough game against a weak Oklahoma State interior line, and Malik Jefferson will compile two sacks. A shootout of a game will make fans nervous until Daje Johnson ices it with an explosive kick return.
Prediction: Texas 41 Oklahoma State 30
Will Baizer
Whether Longhorns fans like it or not, we know the team's strength and weaknesses very well after a pretty tough OOC schedule. We know the defensive line is a vulnerability and not a strength, and the linebackers are better at run defense than pass defense. The offensive line is looking a whole lot better due to a simplified offense, the WR's are better than we thought, and Jerrod Heard is the truth who accounts for the entire run game (minus a deep ball). Basically this team has a lot of upside.
Oklahoma State will have the best defense Texas has faced since Notre Dame. They've been getting great play from their corners and they have solid defensive ends. This team will be more capable of containing Heard than Rice and Cal due to a better defense and more knowledge about him as a player after two games. I don't expect Heard to have anoth 500+ yard game all year. That was his peak, but we know he has a pretty good mean as well.
On offense Oklahoma State has WRs that are comparable to Cal, a good RB, a solid Sophmore QB and great play from their exterior line. Think of Oklahoma State offense as a less powerful Cal offense. Good news is that Oklahoma State has been on a cakewalk with their schedule and Texas will be the most talented team they've faced (I know right, hard to believe). Despite the fact that Oklahoma State will draw up a game plan to limit him, Jerrod Heard will still get his yards in the running game and make the players around him better. For the offense to succeed again this week Texas will need to beat them in the trenches. Giving Heard ample time to get a pass off and not be hurried into a throw should limit mistakes and allow him to keep his eyes downfield as a passer and not as a runner. On top of this offensive line opening up holes for the running backs will allow the running game to be more open and make the defense not only play Heard as a runner but also the running backs. Winning in the trenches goes double for the defense. The defensive line has been better at pass rush, but failed to make the big play multiple times. Furthermore they got walked over in the run game. If this line is able to make the tackles they should be able to make it takes a lot of pressure off the secondary and line backers to make up the ground the DL lost. If this defense stops missing tackles and can win in the trenches against an Oklahoma State offensive line that is weak in the interior but strong on the exterior then I believe that will allow the Texas offense to excel. However if they don't this Oklahoma State offense will dismantle the Longhorns' defense. It's all on the defensive line.
Since Mason Rudolph is not a running quarter back and the OL of the Cowboys is mediocre, I expect Texas to get some inside push to stop the running game and force the Cowboys to pass. On offense I expect Texas to keep on allowing Heard to improvise and he should deliver. I predict Texas wins this one in another shoot out.
Prediction: Texas wins 38-35.
Aaron Carrara
Last season in Stillwater Johnathan Gray ran wild, Nick Rose nailed 51-yard field goal and Mason Rudolph didn’t see the field for Oklahoma State. The Longhorns hammered the Cowboys 28-7 for their 3rd straight win which made them bowl eligible. Enter 2015…. Johnathan Gray has only 94 yards through three games rushing, Nick Rose missed a game-tying field goal last week against Cal, and the defense and offensive line both have issues. Rudolph has a cadre of talented receivers at his disposal which means the Texas defensive backs will need to play alert…. The Texas offense has played progressively better each week but they will need to find creative ways to move the ball against a good Oklahoma State defense. Heard will be the focal point for the Pokes’ defense but the Longhorns need to find ways to get guys like Daje Johnson and the Foreman brothers involved more in the offense this week. Using speed is a way Texas can help counteract the solid defensive line of Oklahoma State.
Texas grows up a little bit with every game, and the Longhorns find a way to take this one from a good Oklahoma State team in Austin.
Final prediction: Texas – 38, Oklahoma State - 35
Chris Flanagan
Texas has found a playmaker. Texas is 1-2. That can't change. What can change is where they stand in the Big 12.
Oklahoma State throttled UTSA, but struggled at Central Michigan and against Central Arkansas. This is a toss up game. Oklahoma State is going to be well aware of Jerrod Heard and his ability to make plays.
I believe that Oklahoma State is not that good and Texas will get to .500 with a big win.
Prediction: Texas wins 45-35
Jon Nemec
Oh boy, that game was a sucker punch. I really think this Texas squad is tired of losing, and I am expecting a big bounce for this game. The offense is explosive with Jerrod at the helm and the offensive line is improving every game. Following a healthy dose of Heard, Daje, and Johnathan Gray I think Texas wins. Pro Football Focus has graded Connor Williams out as Texas’ best offensive linemen and one of eight best freshman linemen in the nation. Look for Jerrod to build off a great passing game. I think there is not a spot on the field that Jerrod has not hit with a pass, and going seven of nine in play action passing is a huge positive. The defense needs to step up. The defensive line needs to get off blocks better and the linebackers need to stick to their assignment. Kevin Vaccaro had a very nice game and looks to be another option for a struggling secondary.
Oklahoma State struggled in their first game against Central Michigan. The Pokes then went on to dismantle two far inferior opponents which makes it difficult to get a read on this team. Their quarterback, Mason Rudolph, can really throw the ball around, and Oklahoma State always seems to have a very competent running back. The Texas defense did a decent job against a very good quarterback in Jared Goff. If the Texas defense gets better and can harass Rudolph into causing a turnover Texas can be in the drivers seat.
I was pretty close last week on my guess, so I feel pretty good about this one too.
Prediction: Texas-35 Oklahoma State- 31
Ryan Bridges
With things turning around at the quarterback position, Texas gets a meaningful win this week against Oklahoma State. The struggling Texas defense finds some confidence by intercepting Rudolph twice behind and improved pass rush. Heard breaks 100 yards rushing again while throwing for somewhere around 200 yards. LIke West Virginia last year and OU the year before, the team is going to show the potential they are capable of just as everyone thinks they've got things figured out. The story Sunday morning will be more about the Cowboys struggles than the Longhorns success.
Prediction: Texas 38 Oklahoma State 27
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