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The last time we saw the Texas Longhorns in action two weeks ago, head coach Charlie Strong exchanged an illogical media hot seat for a Golden Hat and crowd surf atop of small army of ecstatic Longhorns. It all came following what was unquestionably the biggest win of Strong’s young tenure in Austin, as Texas finally avoided beating themselves and knocked off their hated rival, the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners.
But there’s no time to bask in the glory of a second victory in six attempts. Texas’ triumph in the Red River Rivalry was all about finally finding something solid, of which to establish some confidence and momentum. The first test of that will come Saturday morning with Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats entering DKR fresh off of a 55-0 loss to Oklahoma.
It’s a match up that hasn’t fared favorably for the Longhorns as of late, losing six of the last seven. But quite unlike numerous previous match ups, this isn’t your typical K-State power and this Texas team is still desperate for a salvaged season with an ideal opportunity to spark a winning streak.
Despite the 2-4 record, it shouldn’t come as a surprise Texas enters as the favorite over K-State. The 3-3 Wildcats have seen their defense allow 47.7 points per game thus far in league play, while the offense simply isn’t potent enough to hang around with the spread offenses of the Big 12, gaining only 282 total yards per game.
For Texas to launch it’s first winning streak of the season, the formula is quite simple: don’t allow K-State’s dual-threat quarterback Joe Hubener to have a field day, play with a defensive tenacity that resembles the Oklahoma game, and get redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod "Juice" Heard involved early. This won’t be a cake walk for Texas, by any means, but for the first time since Rice, I’m confident in saying Texas is the better team, and one that could become fairly dangerous for all if they continue to establish an identity.
That begins with a victory in Austin.
Prediction: Texas 34, Kansas State 24
How to watch, listen, and stream
TV: Fox Sports 1, Saturday, Oct. 24, 11:00 AM CT
Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network, KTXX FM 104.9 (Austin), among other participating Longhorn Network affiliates
Online Streaming: TexasSports.com (audio)
Weather: High of 74 degrees / Low of 64 degrees / Precipitation 100%
Odds: Texas (-6.5)