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Texas Football: Game preview and prediction vs. Iowa State

By Brett Renner

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns passes during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns passes during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Here’s the Week 5 preview and prediction for Thursday’s Texas football game against Iowa State.

Facing a much needed win to get back on track and to keep bowl hopes alive, Texas football will need to get the job done against Iowa State on Thursday night. The Longhorns have opened the 2017 season going 1-2 in their first three games. A bad loss at home against Maryland and a heart-breaking loss to USC in overtime have Longhorn fans worried.

After a dismal 5-7 season last year, the Longhorns are trying to dig themselves out of yet another hole. To avoid another disappointing season, Texas will look to go into Ames, Iowa aiming to leave with a victory. Posting just a 2-9 record in their last 11 road games dating back to previous years, Texas will look to get their first road victory in the young season.

Iowa State looks to make a big statement with a win against Texas after they have showed improvement thus far. Iowa State just needs one more win to match their win total from last season. The Cyclones are off to a solid 2-1 start through four weeks of the 2017 college football season.

Here is how you can watch the battle between the two Big12 programs:

Date: Thursday, Sept. 28
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Ames, Iowa
Venue: Jack Trice Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Texas will put up points, but the key will be slowing down the Cyclones passing attack that has given their opponents trouble. The Longhorns defensive line will need to provide pressure on Cyclones quarterback Jacob Park and the secondary will need to contain Iowa State’s talented and deep receiving core.

If the defense can cause Park to make a bad decision or two resulting in turnovers, the offense will need to be efficient in getting the job done. As long as the Longhorns can establish the run game early, they will be able to mix up plays opening up the game for quarterback Sam Ehlinger. Texas has had no problem scoring on offense, so this game should come down to whether or not the defense can slow down the hot Cyclones offense.

Prediction

Texas and Iowa State will both score in their opening drives and this will preview how the rest of the game will be. Each quarterback will have his way with the opposing defenses but Jacob Park will out-sling Sam Ehlinger. There will be many lead changes throughout the game and it will just be another classic Big 12 shootout.

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The Longhorns will battle throughout the game but the electric home crowd in Ames will prove to be too much for Texas. The game will come down to the last possession and it may end in dramatic fashion. In the end, Iowa State will match their 2016 win total and they will pick up the big win against the Longhorns on Thursday night.

Final Score: Texas 37, Iowa State 41

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