Dawg Preview: #23 Kansas State Travels to #7 Texas

'Texas Longhorns vs Florida Atlantic' Photo Credit: Randall Chancellor via Flickr

This is a huge weekend in the Big 12 for the fast track to Conference Championship births and possible playoff berths for Texas and Oklahoma. Bedlam Rivalry game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in Stillwater and this one in Austin Texas between K-State and Texas. Kansas State comes into this game as hot as anyone in the country outscoring the last two opponents (TCU and Houston) 83-3. Texas has been steady this season scoring 30 points or more in every game so far. This game on paper is extremely even Kansas State is averaging 37.4 points per game and giving up 15.9 points per game. Meanwhile, Texas is scoring 34.5 points per game and giving up 16 points per game.

Where to watch?

When: 12:00 EST/11:00 CST

TV: Fox

Broadcasters: Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt

Players to watch:

The Kansas State offense will depend on Cooper Beebe and the other four guys on the offensive line. This unit has been giving the quarterbacks whether it be Avery Johnson or Will Howard time to make reads and complete passes. This unit has also paved the way for an average of 261 yards on the ground in the last two games. They will need to continue to find success if K-State is going to score against this Texas defense.

The Kansas State defense will have to keep up the success they have had for the last 2 plus weeks to keep the team in this game. Texas has plenty of weapons on the outside so it will be on the corners to keep them slowed down and Will Lee who has continued to get better as the season goes on including an interception against Houston last Saturday.

Texas' offense will go as backup quarterback Malik Murphy goes. Last week against BYU he had 170 yards through the air with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception in his first start in relief for Quinn Ewers. He will have to continue to play mistake-free football in this one for Texas to come out on top.

Jaylan Ford will be pivotal in stopping this K-State rushing attack for a great rush defense for Texas. Coming into this game with 57 tackles 1 sack 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble on the season he is by far the leader for this Texas defense.

Prediction - Kansas State

Texas has won six straight against Kansas State with five of the six being a one score or less game. This matchup will come down to if Texas can stop K-State's run game. If DJ Giddens and company can break loose behind the offensive line, then K-State can win this game. If Jaylen Ford and company can stop the Kansas State rush game this will be Texas' game to lose. I see this game being one score either way, but K-State will win it 31-28 to make Texas' odds of making the trip to Arlington go way down.