Alex Dunlap (3-4)
The Texas defense handles the Cowpokes attack and doesn’t allow for too much nighttime Halloween spookiness in Stillwater. Ehlinger comes out a little rusty to start as Stan Drayton starts Tre Watson at RB over Ingram, but the offense gets clicking when Ingram finally enters the game in the second quarter. Texas wins a close one.
Texas 27 - OSU 24
Geoff Ketchum (4-3)
This one comes down to common sense. Oklahoma State is on the ropes, having lost three of its last four and two straight at home. It'll be a dog fight for 3+ quarters because this Texas team has to learn what it's like to live through four quarters of being chased by an upset-hungry underdog, but at the end of the day, the better team with the better players will prevail. It'll be tense, but it'll be a Texas win.
Texas 24 - Oklahoma State 22
Dustin McComas (5-2)
I struggled with this all week, which stemmed from a few things: Sam Ehlinger's health; Davante Davis, Kris Boyd and now Lil' Jordan Humphrey's team rules issue; a desperate Oklahoma State team playing at home at night.
On paper, Texas is the better team. In particular, Texas's No. 38 drive-efficiency offense, which is its strongest area statistically, versus the No. 100 drive-efficiency defense in the country. And we know that when Texas gets a lead, it aims to methodically move the ball while imposing its physical will as the clock ticks.
Speaking of that, the main reason why I'm picking Texas is because I think the first quarter determines this game. If OSU comes out firing on offense, and builds a 14-point lead, it'll look around at home and believe it'll win. But this is a fragile program right now with a fan base ready to check out.
If Texas comes out and punches OSU in the mouth early, I could see it packing it in and not being ready for a fight. Texas has proven able to do that this season, even if its games against these types of opponents have ended up closer than they should have. Throw in Ehlinger being tabbed as the starter this early, and I think that means he's going to be close to 100-percent.
All that being said, this is a very tricky game to predict. Texas, so far this year, has found a way for six-straight games.
Texas 30 - Oklahoma State 28
Anwar Richardson (5-2)
Now that we know Sam Ehlinger will play against Oklahoma State, I feel much better about Texas in Stillwater.
Tom Herman and Tim Beck said if Ehlinger is playing, there will not be any limitations. Even if Ehlinger is not 100 percent healthy, his presence still gives Texas an edge. Ehlinger is not going to get rattled by the hostile environment in Stillwater. He has developed a great connection with his receivers. Plus, I was told Ehlinger’s performance on Thursday left many people speechless because it was arguably his best practice this year.
I expect Oklahoma State to attack the young defensive backs who will start since Kris Boyd and Davante Davis must miss at least one series. That being said, considering Texas’ defense seems to struggle on the first series of games this season, the shakeup could benefit the Longhorns secondary.
If Texas punches Oklahoma State in the mouth early, the Longhorns could dominate.
Texas 35 - Oklahoma State 24
Jason Suchomel (4-3)
I’ll be honest … this one scares the crap out of me from Texas’ perspective, so much so that I told another writer midweek I was strongly considering picking OSU in the upset.
This Texas offense is so inconsistent that it’s going to catch up with the Longhorns at some point if that side of the ball doesn’t start playing better, and Oklahoma State is just good enough offensively that it could pull off the win. Throw in Sam Ehlinger’s health and the suspension of three starters, and this one looks very iffy.
All that being said, I just can’t bring myself to do it. OSU’s offensive line and secondary are pretty bad, so Texas should be able to have success on both sides of the ball. And I’m buying into this team now knowing how to win close games.
Texas 31 – Oklahoma State 30
Quarter (5-2)
(Heads is always the home team)
The Texas defense handles the Cowpokes attack and doesn’t allow for too much nighttime Halloween spookiness in Stillwater. Ehlinger comes out a little rusty to start as Stan Drayton starts Tre Watson at RB over Ingram, but the offense gets clicking when Ingram finally enters the game in the second quarter. Texas wins a close one.
Texas 27 - OSU 24
Geoff Ketchum (4-3)
This one comes down to common sense. Oklahoma State is on the ropes, having lost three of its last four and two straight at home. It'll be a dog fight for 3+ quarters because this Texas team has to learn what it's like to live through four quarters of being chased by an upset-hungry underdog, but at the end of the day, the better team with the better players will prevail. It'll be tense, but it'll be a Texas win.
Texas 24 - Oklahoma State 22
Dustin McComas (5-2)
I struggled with this all week, which stemmed from a few things: Sam Ehlinger's health; Davante Davis, Kris Boyd and now Lil' Jordan Humphrey's team rules issue; a desperate Oklahoma State team playing at home at night.
On paper, Texas is the better team. In particular, Texas's No. 38 drive-efficiency offense, which is its strongest area statistically, versus the No. 100 drive-efficiency defense in the country. And we know that when Texas gets a lead, it aims to methodically move the ball while imposing its physical will as the clock ticks.
Speaking of that, the main reason why I'm picking Texas is because I think the first quarter determines this game. If OSU comes out firing on offense, and builds a 14-point lead, it'll look around at home and believe it'll win. But this is a fragile program right now with a fan base ready to check out.
If Texas comes out and punches OSU in the mouth early, I could see it packing it in and not being ready for a fight. Texas has proven able to do that this season, even if its games against these types of opponents have ended up closer than they should have. Throw in Ehlinger being tabbed as the starter this early, and I think that means he's going to be close to 100-percent.
All that being said, this is a very tricky game to predict. Texas, so far this year, has found a way for six-straight games.
Texas 30 - Oklahoma State 28
Anwar Richardson (5-2)
Now that we know Sam Ehlinger will play against Oklahoma State, I feel much better about Texas in Stillwater.
Tom Herman and Tim Beck said if Ehlinger is playing, there will not be any limitations. Even if Ehlinger is not 100 percent healthy, his presence still gives Texas an edge. Ehlinger is not going to get rattled by the hostile environment in Stillwater. He has developed a great connection with his receivers. Plus, I was told Ehlinger’s performance on Thursday left many people speechless because it was arguably his best practice this year.
I expect Oklahoma State to attack the young defensive backs who will start since Kris Boyd and Davante Davis must miss at least one series. That being said, considering Texas’ defense seems to struggle on the first series of games this season, the shakeup could benefit the Longhorns secondary.
If Texas punches Oklahoma State in the mouth early, the Longhorns could dominate.
Texas 35 - Oklahoma State 24
Jason Suchomel (4-3)
I’ll be honest … this one scares the crap out of me from Texas’ perspective, so much so that I told another writer midweek I was strongly considering picking OSU in the upset.
This Texas offense is so inconsistent that it’s going to catch up with the Longhorns at some point if that side of the ball doesn’t start playing better, and Oklahoma State is just good enough offensively that it could pull off the win. Throw in Sam Ehlinger’s health and the suspension of three starters, and this one looks very iffy.
All that being said, I just can’t bring myself to do it. OSU’s offensive line and secondary are pretty bad, so Texas should be able to have success on both sides of the ball. And I’m buying into this team now knowing how to win close games.
Texas 31 – Oklahoma State 30
Quarter (5-2)
(Heads is always the home team)
