Score predictions for No. 7 Texas vs. No. 23 Kansas State
A massive Big 12 battle between No. 7 Texas and No. 23 Kansas State will take place in Austin on Saturday.
The winner likely controls their own destiny to the Big 12 Championship game in December. Texas will have to do so without starting quarterback Quinn Ewers as backup Maalik Murphy will make his second career start behind center.
The Wildcats are averaging 39.6 points per game and have a lethal rushing attack that averages 226 rush yards per game. Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski will have his hands full attempting to slow down Kansas State’s multi-faceted run game.
During media sessions this week, third-year head coach Steve Sarkisian put an emphasis on how important home field advantage will be in this matchup by asking fans to arrive early and be loud.
Here’s a look at who the experts predict to win this week.
247Sports
Brad Crawford:
Steve Sarkisian is 2-0 against Kansas State and his Longhorns have also covered in both games. This line has moved a couple points in Kansas State’s direction since it opened, guessing because of Maalik Murphy expecting to get his second consecutive start at quarterback for the injured Quinn Ewers. Give me Texas at home in a competitive game. Prediction: Texas 34, Kansas State 27
Chris Hummer:
This is a massive game for the Big 12 race with both teams locked in what is a five-way tie atop the league. Kansas State’s defense is playing at an elite level. It hasn’t allowed a touchdown in nine quarters and will be the best defensive unit the Longhorns have faced since Alabama. Texas, concerningly, is also starting to cough the ball up. It’s turned the ball over seven times in the last three games after doing so just twice in its first five games. To me, this game comes down to which QB plays better. Maalik Murphy was OK in his starting debut for Texas last week while Will Howard has somewhat found his stride the last few weeks while being used as part of a QB platoon with Avery Johnson. I think Texas is the better team. But there’s a lot of value here with K-State, so give me the Wildcats to cover. Prediction: Texas 34, Kansas State 31
Inside Texas
Eric Nahlin: Texas 24, Kansas State 21
Justin Wells: Kansas State 31, Texas 28
Ian Boyd: Texas 30, Kansas State 23
Joe Cook: Texas 26, Kansas State 20
Bobby Burton: Texas 24, Kansas State 23
Gerry Hamilton: Texas 34, Kansas State 27
Paul Wadlington: Kansas State 24, Texas 21
The Wichita Eagle
Prediction: Kansas State 24, Texas 23
Without knowing which team will be able to run the ball more successfully than the other, let’s assume this game comes down to which quarterback can make more plays with his arm. That scenario would likely favor Will Howard, a veteran passer who won a Big 12 championship last season and has found his groove over the past two weeks. Murphy seems like a substantial down grade from Ewers.
Another factor in this game could be red-zone efficiency. The Longhorns have settled for far too many field goals in that area this season and rank 101st nationally. Meanwhile, the Wildcats excel in both offense and defense when they are in the red zone. With Ewers, I would absolutely pick Texas in this spot. Without him, the Wildcats seem to have a slight edge, even as a road underdog. I’m picking the Wildcats to win a low-scoring game in Austin. – Kellis Robinett
Horns247
Chip Brown: Texas 23, Kansas State 20
Eric Henry: Texas 24, Kansas State 17
Hank South: Texas 34, Kansas State 14
Tommy Yarrish: Texas 31, Kansas State 28
Longhorns Wire
Joey Hickey: Texas 27, Kansas State 24
Tyler Oglesby: Texas 24, Kansas State 23
Cami Griffin: Texas 31, Kansas State 24
Sports Illustrated
Prediction: Texas 30, Kansas State 23
While the Wildcats have the bodies to control the pace of the game on the ground, they are not built to come from behind or score in bunches. Texas owns the edge when it comes to skill threats to stretch the field, and, combined with home field advantage, will be enough to carry the day. – James Parks
