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Thing are starting to look favorably for Charlie Strong’s Texas Longhorns. After yet another defensive onslaught last week in Texas’ 23-9 victory over Kansas State in Lake DKR, the Longhorns hit the road Saturday evening in hopes of a extending their current two-game winning streak.
In a Jack Trice Stadium Texas has never lost in, the Longhorns will be pitted against an Iowa State team that’s better than their 2-5 record, with an offense that’s compiling 422.5 yards of total offense per game, and one of the nation’s premier defenders in Dale Pierson, the Cyclones tenacious senior DE. Pierson's presence will serve as a tall task for the Longhorns freshman tackle, Connor Williams, who will need to play the game of his young career.
For Texas to win, as they're expected to, the formula to success is simple: Run the ball, run the ball some more, and replicate the same defensive dominance that's been evident in the Longhorns' last two wins. Behind the legs of a slew of capable carriers, including Jerrod Heard, Johnathan Gray, D'Onte Forman, and Tyrone Swoopes and the "18 Wheeler" package, Texas has accrued 293.5 yards per game on the ground in their recent victories. And with the old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," in mind, it's safe to assume another heavy dosage of smash mouth football is headed Iowa State's way.
Defensively; much of the same. The Longhorns front seven has wreaked havoc over the past two games, racking up 11 total sacks and playing the primary role in the Texas defense giving up only 13 points and 260 yards per game against Oklahoma and Kansas State.
With a performance even somewhat resemblant to the Longhorns last two outings, Strong's young group will earn their third consecutive victory before hosting a winless Kansas club. Texas has taken two giant leaps in the right direction recently, beginning with their Red River Rivalry victory, and with bowl eligibility drawing nearer, it's hard to see Texas slowing down now.
Prediction: Texas, 34, Iowa State, 17