5. The play of Brock Purdy
It’s no secret the turning point in Iowa State’s season was inserting Brock Purdy into the offense in place of Zeb Noland. Purdy has been phenomenal as a true freshman, throwing for 1,315 yards, 13 touchdowns to only two interceptions. He has also been effective on the ground as well, carrying the ball 67 times for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Purdy is already looking like the best quarterback to don the cardinal and gold since Seneca Wallace played.
Texas has struggled against very good quarterbacks this season, Kyler Murray torched the Texas defense in the Longhorns win in the Red River Rivalry, throwing for 314 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for 92 yards and another score. Will Grier threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the Longhorns loss to West Virginia, so it is a Texas defense that has faltered against good quarterback play.
While Purdy is not on the level of Murray or Grier, he is still a very good quarterback that can and will make the Texas defense pay on Saturday.