Big 12 Showdown: No. 7 Texas vs No. 23 Kansas State
A highly anticipated Big 12 battle is set to take place in Austin on Saturday as the No. 7 Texas Longhorns face off against the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats. This matchup is crucial for both teams, as the winner will likely control their own destiny to the Big 12 Championship game in December.
However, Texas will have to face this challenge without their starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who is sidelined due to injury. Backup Maalik Murphy will make his second career start behind center, hoping to lead the Longhorns to victory.
The Wildcats come into this game with an impressive offensive performance, averaging 39.6 points per game. Their lethal rushing attack, which averages 226 rush yards per game, poses a significant challenge for Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. Slowing down Kansas State’s multi-faceted run game will be a tough task for the Longhorns.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has emphasized the importance of home field advantage in this matchup, urging fans to arrive early and create a loud atmosphere. The Longhorns will rely on the support of their home crowd to gain an edge over the Wildcats.
Expert Predictions
Let’s take a look at what the experts are predicting for this highly anticipated showdown:
Brad Crawford:
Steve Sarkisian has a perfect record against Kansas State, and his Longhorns have covered in both previous games. Despite the line moving in Kansas State’s favor, I believe Texas will come out on top in a competitive game.
Prediction: Texas 34, Kansas State 27
Chris Hummer:
This game is crucial for the Big 12 race, with both teams locked in a five-way tie atop the league. Kansas State’s defense has been outstanding, not allowing a touchdown in nine quarters. However, Texas has shown some vulnerability in recent games, turning the ball over seven times. The outcome of this game will depend on the performance of the quarterbacks. While Texas may be the better team, I see value in Kansas State, so I predict the Wildcats will cover.
Prediction: Texas 34, Kansas State 31
Predictions:
Eric Nahlin: Texas 24, Kansas State 21
Justin Wells: Kansas State 31, Texas 28
Ian Boyd: Texas 30, Kansas State 23
Joe Cook: Texas 26, Kansas State 20
Bobby Burton: Texas 24, Kansas State 23
Gerry Hamilton: Texas 34, Kansas State 27
Paul Wadlington: Kansas State