Alex Dunlap
I've talked a lot this week about things that worry me about Texas facing Kansas State, but the one thing that gives me hope is Sam Ehlinger is likely to start at QB. If the defense can hold up its end of the bargain against KSU, Ehlinger has the better skill set than Buechele to hold up through a game of this nature and make plays when they need to be made and keep things on track. It's not going to be an easy cruise-to-victory win, but it will be a win.
Texas 24 - K-State 20
Geoff Ketchum
This has a chance to be the absolute worst match-up at the wrong time. With Sam Ehlinger potentially starting his first home conference game and the offense in a continued state of flux, a Bill Snyder-coached team just screams trouble. The two top units in this game are the two defenses, which means I think we're looking at a game where the first team to 20 points wins the game. In a way, I'm seeing flashbacks to the 2003 Kansas State game when Vince Young came off the bench and made a big throw down the field that led to the winning points and kind of sent the message that his talents were officially special. I could see Ehlinger making the same type of big late-game throw that proves to be the difference in the game and potentially allows him to stake a claim to the starting position going into next week's Oklahoma game. I've been soooooo close to picking Kansas State all week, but confirmation bias is taking over.
Texas 20 - Kansas State 16
Dustin McComas
I'll try to make this simple.
Texas is playing at home against a team that has similar offensive limitations. If Kansas State can't run the football, Kansas State is in a lot of trouble, and I can't see it moving up and down the field against this Texas defense. Sure, the Kansas State defense is going to be a tough challenge for Texas, but the Texas offense should get the benefit of favorable field position some of the time. Combine that with a couple extra days following a Thursday game and a return to Austin, and I think the Longhorns lean on their defense and find enough offense to pull out another low-scoring, ugly-type of game.
Texas 26 - Kansas State 20
Anwar Richardson
We have given Texas the benefit of the doubt for years, but at some point, seeing is believing. We have not seen a consistent run game this season. The offensive line has struggled. No matter who starts at quarterback, that person needs to play better. Longhorn fans have questioned the personnel decisions on offense. The returners on special teams have made mental errors this season. Sure, you can talk yourself into a Texas win, but not with certainty.
I do not anticipate picking Texas to win the next three games, which could result in a four- game win streak. I believe in Texas' defense, but cannot get back on the bandwagon until this offense plays better.
Kansas State 24 – Texas 17
Jason Suchomel
I’m not going to be very popular on this board this weekend.
Earlier this week, I had Texas winning this game based mostly on home-field advantage. But as the week has gone on, I’ve swung the other direction. I’m expecting more offensive line shake-ups and with Sam Ehlinger expected to start, the quarterback position is once again a bit of a wildcard.
The Texas defense has played well of late but I just think KSU finds a way to exploit Texas’ offensive line issues, which could feature a new starter or two (again) and Bill Snyder’s group finds a way to get it done.
Kansas State 27 – Texas 20
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I've talked a lot this week about things that worry me about Texas facing Kansas State, but the one thing that gives me hope is Sam Ehlinger is likely to start at QB. If the defense can hold up its end of the bargain against KSU, Ehlinger has the better skill set than Buechele to hold up through a game of this nature and make plays when they need to be made and keep things on track. It's not going to be an easy cruise-to-victory win, but it will be a win.
Texas 24 - K-State 20
Geoff Ketchum
This has a chance to be the absolute worst match-up at the wrong time. With Sam Ehlinger potentially starting his first home conference game and the offense in a continued state of flux, a Bill Snyder-coached team just screams trouble. The two top units in this game are the two defenses, which means I think we're looking at a game where the first team to 20 points wins the game. In a way, I'm seeing flashbacks to the 2003 Kansas State game when Vince Young came off the bench and made a big throw down the field that led to the winning points and kind of sent the message that his talents were officially special. I could see Ehlinger making the same type of big late-game throw that proves to be the difference in the game and potentially allows him to stake a claim to the starting position going into next week's Oklahoma game. I've been soooooo close to picking Kansas State all week, but confirmation bias is taking over.
Texas 20 - Kansas State 16
Dustin McComas
I'll try to make this simple.
Texas is playing at home against a team that has similar offensive limitations. If Kansas State can't run the football, Kansas State is in a lot of trouble, and I can't see it moving up and down the field against this Texas defense. Sure, the Kansas State defense is going to be a tough challenge for Texas, but the Texas offense should get the benefit of favorable field position some of the time. Combine that with a couple extra days following a Thursday game and a return to Austin, and I think the Longhorns lean on their defense and find enough offense to pull out another low-scoring, ugly-type of game.
Texas 26 - Kansas State 20
Anwar Richardson
We have given Texas the benefit of the doubt for years, but at some point, seeing is believing. We have not seen a consistent run game this season. The offensive line has struggled. No matter who starts at quarterback, that person needs to play better. Longhorn fans have questioned the personnel decisions on offense. The returners on special teams have made mental errors this season. Sure, you can talk yourself into a Texas win, but not with certainty.
I do not anticipate picking Texas to win the next three games, which could result in a four- game win streak. I believe in Texas' defense, but cannot get back on the bandwagon until this offense plays better.
Kansas State 24 – Texas 17
Jason Suchomel
I’m not going to be very popular on this board this weekend.
Earlier this week, I had Texas winning this game based mostly on home-field advantage. But as the week has gone on, I’ve swung the other direction. I’m expecting more offensive line shake-ups and with Sam Ehlinger expected to start, the quarterback position is once again a bit of a wildcard.
The Texas defense has played well of late but I just think KSU finds a way to exploit Texas’ offensive line issues, which could feature a new starter or two (again) and Bill Snyder’s group finds a way to get it done.
Kansas State 27 – Texas 20
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