Game Day: No. 7 Texas Longhorns @ Iowa State Cyclones

The Texas Longhorns (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) head north this week to face the Iowa State Cyclones (6-4, 5-2 Big 12) at Jack Trice Stadium on Senior Night in Ames. With plenty on the line for both programs, a win for the Longhorns means one step closer to a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time since 2018. Iowa State looks to keep themselves in the mix for 2nd place in the conference with a win over the Longhorns, a team they have beaten three out of the last four meetings.

Texas will be without star running back Jonathon Brooks, who suffered an ACL tear in last week’s win against TCU in Fort Worth. He will be replaced by 5-star recruit and true freshman running back Cedric Baxter, who began the season as the starting back for Steve Sarkisian’s offense.  Offensively, the game plan will be the same with or without Brooks in the lineup.  The ‘Horns will look to establish the run and feed Baxter, Keilan Robinson, Jaydon Blue and Savion Red in hopes of controlling time of possession.  Quinn Ewers will make his second straight start at quarterback after missing two games with a shoulder sprain. Texas ranks 14th in total offense and will face a Cyclone defense that ranks 26th nationally.  

Iowa State will start redshirt freshman quarterback Rocco Becht, who has thrown for 2,121 yards with 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.  They use a three-headed monster at the running back position with Eli Sanders receiving the majority of the carries.  Fellow sophmore Cartevious Norton and freshman Abu Sama III will also see time in the backfield. The Cyclones rank 92nd in total offense, and will be lining up a Texas defense that ranks 36th in the country and gives up 337 yards each game.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is 3-4 against Texas, but has won the last two games between the two at Jack Trice Stadium.

Weather forecast predicts a chilly, clear evening with temperatures in the upper 40’s to begin the game and dropping to the upper 30’s at its conclusion.