Iowa State Football: 2018 Game-by-game predictions
11. Texas (Nov. 17)
Iowa State finally cranks the intensity knob back up against Tom Herman’s Texas Longhorns for a primetime matchup in Austin. Last year’s meeting was as close to a snoozefest as you can get as Texas won an uneventful game in Jack Trice 17-7 on a Thursday night. In year two under Tom Herman, many expect the Longhorns to possibly return to relevancy and make a run for the Big 12 championship.
Herman’s first year in Austin was a successful compared to the failures of previous head coach Charlie Strong. The Longhorns finished with a 7-6 record and an impressive bowl win over ex-Big 12 foe Missouri in the Texas Bowl. Texas will likely retain their dual-quarterback system that features Sam Ehlinger and Shane Buechele and have a rising star at wide receiver in Colin Johnson. While they lose talent on defense, defensive backs Kris Boyd and Holton Hill look to strut their stuff in their last hoorah.
This game will be the biggest test of Iowa State’s season if they come in with an 8-2 record. A loss will likely dash any hopes the Cyclones have of a Big 12 Championship as Texas will likely be right up their with the Cyclones in the standings. This will be a high-spirited, extremely competitive game. Unfortunately, Iowa State will have to wait another year to make a run at a Big 12 title.