Texas Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Kansas State Wildcats serve as the Texas Longhorns first biggest challenge on the Big 12 schedule. The Cyclones should give the Longhorns a good look at what they need to work on but the Wildcats could pull off a victory, much like last season.

The Wildcats are currently the 20th ranked team in AP Poll and return senior quarterback Jesse Ertz. Ertz threw for 1,755 passing yards and ran for 1,012 rushing yards in 2016. He put up nine passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns to lead the charge on offense.

The rising senior ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s meeting, on the road. He also threw for 171 passing yards and a touchdown. He was unstoppable in defeating the Longhorns 24-21 last year.

This season, the Texas Longhorns should be ready for him. With 10 experienced starters returning on defense and Tom Herman on the sideline, it’s hard to foresee Ertz going off against them again.

The Wildcats had the best scoring defense (22.3 points allowed per game) in the Big 12 last season. Although, Shane Buechele threw for 222 passing yards and two passing touchdowns on 70.8 percent passing.

It wasn’t so much the Longhorns played terribly last season. After all, they forced three turnovers on defense. They just couldn’t comeback from a 14-0 deficit. This year’s meeting should have a different outcome even though its a road game for Texas.

Final: Kansas State 24, Texas 34 (4-1, 2-0 Big 12)