Texas and Iowa State battle to keep their Big 12 hopes alive

#16 Iowa State (6-3) @ #15 Texas (7-3)

Stat Leaders:
Iowa State
Brock Purdy (QB): 83/121, 1,315 passing yards, 13 TDs, 2 INTs
David Montgomery (RB): 169 carries, 765 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Hakeem Butler (WR): 36 catches, 816 receiving yards, 8 TDs
Previous Result: Win over Baylor, 28-14
Texas
Sam Ehlinger (QB): 205/319, 2,483 passing yards, 20 TDs, 2 INTs
Keaontay Ingram (RB): 104 carries, 568 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Lil’ Jordan Humphrey (WR): 63 catches, 947 receiving yards, 7 TDs
Previous Result: Win over Texas Tech, 41-34

3 Things To Watch For:
1. Can the Iowa State defense keep up their recent hot streak?
2. Will Brock Purdy be able to work some magic against the most athletic defense he’s faced this season?
3. Which running game can get going?

3 Bold Predictions:
1. Texas holds Brock Purdy to under 200 yards of offense.
2. Sam Ehlinger is the leading rusher.
3. Longhorns win by 20+.

Game Run Down:
Both of these teams are still alive in the Big 12 title race, making this a must-win game for each. Brock Purdy and the Iowa State defense have both been playing at a very high level recently, but they have yet to face a test like Texas. The athletic Longhorns defense will make things hard on the freshmen QB by taking away David Montgomery and forcing Purdy to beat them on his own. The Iowa State defense is nothing to scoff at either, as they likely can be called the best defense in the Big 12 at this point of the season. They will keep this one low-scoring, but eventually, Sam Ehlinger and his WRs will get going as the game goes on, and in a tight game, I trust the seasoned UT quarterback over a talented yet inexperienced QB in Purdy. ISU will keep things close, but ultimately, the home crowd on senior day and too many big plays from Ehlinger and Humphrey will be the difference in this one.

Score Prediction: Texas 27 | Iowa State 17

Game MVP: Sam Ehlinger | QB | Texas