The Texas Longhorns (4-4, 2-3) and Iowa State Cyclones (5-3, 3-2) will meet for the 19th time, and the 9th time in Ames. Texas has had success at Jack Trice Stadium, winning six and losing two, and they hope to continue that success on Saturday night. Iowa State has won the last two games by a slim margin of just 5 points, including a 23-21 victory last time they played in Ames.
Will Iowa State send the Longhorns back to Austin with their fourth-straight loss or does a reeling Texas program have what it takes to pull of a road win?
Our staff shares their thoughts on what they think will be the outcome of Saturday’s game at Jack Trice Stadium.
Jameson McCausland (6-2)
I do not like this matchup at all for Texas. Breece Hall will be the best running back the Longhorns have faced this season and Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense has not proven they can stop the run.
Offensively for Texas, they will be facing a very similar style of defense that gave them major issues in Fayetteville earlier this year. For the Longhorns to have a chance to move the ball, they are going to have to connect on some big plays through the air. If Texas tries to lean on Bijan Robinson running between the tackles into a loaded box, it is going to be a long game.
Maybe Texas is able to hang around long enough to give themselves a chance in the 4th quarter, but in the end I think Iowa State is too sound of a team and will hand the Longhorns their 4th straight loss.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 31, Texas 21
Devon Messinger (4-4)
On the verge of potentially losing four games in a row, the Longhorns will travel to Ames, finally on the receiving end of an ever elusive night game. However, Texas will have to hope that Cyclones senior quarterback Brock Purdy and junior running back Breece Hall are not providing nightmares on Saturday.
The key for Texas will be their play in the trenches. On defense, the Longhorns will be tasked with stopping Hall, the Big 12’s leading rusher. Meanwhile, Texas’s offensive line will have to play more inspired than they did last week, particularly in run blocking, as the team only accounted for 102 yards on the ground against Baylor.
With all that being said, you can count on the atmosphere in Ames being absolutely electric. A win against Iowa State would help turn the ship back in the right direction. However, the Longhorns have to prove that they are capable of winning big games. Luckily for Texas, there is somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 34, Texas 30
TFloss32 (5-3)
Before the Baylor game I told myself it would be difficult to pick a Texas victory for the rest of the season – other than Kansas – if they had a third consecutive second half collapse in Waco. Well, last weekend was yet another case of “here we go again” and I see more of the same in Ames outside of an unexpected, inspiring performance from the burnt orange. It’s a struggle to find any favorable match-ups in this one. Texas’ offense has an inconsistent passing attack and hasn’t rushed for over 200 yards since the first week of October, plus every game where the defense gives up 220+ rushing yards results in a loss. Enter Iowa State’s Top 5 defense – they will key on Bijan Robinson a la Baylor and make Texas throw – and Breece Hall, one of the best running backs in the country. This would be an ideal time for the Longhorns to put together a complete game and prove they can handle a road environment. If the past two years are any indication, this will be a slow, grind-it-out affair, there won’t be several opportunities to secure a victory and mistakes will be costly. Iowa State 31, Texas 27 – the Longhorns will have to head home having lost four in a row for the first time since 2010.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 31, Texas 27
Aaron Carrara (5-3)
The Longhorns are a decent football team that doesn’t know how to close the deal. I think they demonstrate that once again this week on the road in Ames, maintaining a first-half lead but let the Cyclones come back in the 3rd quarter. The defense will face arguably the best running back they have faced to-date in Breece Hall, who will wear out the Texas defense. If Texas demonstrated any consistent ability to stop the run, I would like their chances much better in this game. They haven’t and until they do, teams with even a mediocre running game will gash them. If Casey Thompson can find his groove and get on the same page with a struggling receiving corps, this game could get interesting. I don’t like Texas winning this on the road at night up North and I don’t have faith in the defense to do their job for four quarters.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 34, Texas 27
Tristan Larsen (5-3)
Texas after three gut-wrenching losses over the class of the BIG-12 now has a chance for redemption. Iowa state, like Texas, entered the season with high expectations but unfortunately both programs have been slightly underwhelming. Now, both teams have a chance for redemption and to save their respective seasons. Bijan Robinson had one of his weakest performances of the year last week against Baylor. He looks to bounce back against a team that statistically is a better rush defense team than Baylor was. Iowa State is one of just 18 programs who are allowing fewer than 110 yards a game on the ground per game. In my opinion the game will come down to if Iowa State can stop Robinson consistently. While Robinson and the Texas offense are great, I think Iowa State wins that battle. Texas shows promise but flames out again late.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 27, Texas 21
Mitch Lovell (5-3)
My confidence that Texas can win in an hostile environment is not high. That said, the Longhorns need this win badly and should have won their last three games. Iowa State has struggled this season as well. I look for Bijan Robinson to bounce back and Texas win a back-and-forth game.
Score Prediction: Iowa State 31 Texas 24
.jpeg.fef385bc22e6c9fb3016bc585fdc6f78.jpeg)
