Texas vs. Kansas State: Who the experts are predicting to win
No. 24 Texas is a slight favorite over No. 13 Kansas State this weekend despite being the lower ranked team and playing on the road.
ESPN’s Football Power Index also favors the Longhorns over the Wildcats with a 61.8% chance of winning in Manhattan on Saturday.
It’s no doubt a must-win game for Steve Sarkisian’s squad to stay alive in the Big 12 title race. If Texas is able to defeat Kansas State and TCU in consecutive weeks, the Longhorns would significantly heighten their chances of reaching the Big 12 Championship game in December.
Here’s a look at who the experts think will win this crucial Big 12 matchup in Week 10.
Sporting News
This spread might make bettors do a double-take after Kansas State handily defeated Oklahoma State and Texas collapsed against the same Cowboys in each team’s most recent game, but Texas matches up well against K-State. The Longhorns’ ability to hold the Wildcats’ ground game in check coupled with a bounce-back performance from Ewers can lead Texas to a road win. We’ll back the Longhorns to take down Kansas State, muddying up the Big 12 standings even more.
Prediction: Texas 31, Kansas State 28
Hook 'em headlines
This is a tough game to predict since Texas will be facing a hot Kansas State team in a raucous road environment in Manhattan under the lights in primetime. Given the struggles that Sark and the Longhorns have faced in road games in the last two seasons, there is some cause for concern heading into this game.
On the positive end of things, Texas did have the bye week to prepare and get right to face this tough Kansas State team on the road. the bye week came at a good time so that Texas could get healthier and reset in practice following the loss to the Pokes a couple of weeks ago.
Texas also matches up well on paper with Kansas State. In fact, Texas matches up much better on paper on both sides of the ball with Kansas State than it did Oklahoma State. From that perspective, Texas fans should be optimistic about this matchup.
As long as Texas can keep this one close in the first half and set the tone with a strong ground game behind star junior running back Bijan Robinson, I don’t think the second-half woes will linger as much this weekend. Redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers also needs a big response to give Texas a shot to win on the road.
Prediction: Texas 33, Kansas State 31
Heartland College Sports
My eyes tell me that Kansas State should win this football game, but my gut says that Texas wins, and it’s all because of matchups. Texas is actually pretty solid defensively in 2022 and ranks third in the Big 12 in rushing defense (121.6 ypg). That will be the key, as I think UT can limit Deuce Vaughn and keep the K-State offense from reaching full throttle. On the flip side, I think we see a bounce-back performance from Quinn Ewers on the road and his play will be enough to separate Texas from K-State. If Texas wins, it will force at least a tie for second place in the conference standings and create even more chaos in an already crazy Big 12 race.
Prediction: Texas 31, Kansas State 28
Horns247
Chip Brown: Texas 28, Kansas State 27
Jeff Howe: Kansas State 31, Texas 28
Taylor Estes: Kansas State 34, Texas 31
Mike Roach: Texas 27, Kansas State 24
Hudson Standish: Texas 31, Kansas State 26
Longhorns Wire
CJ Mumme: Kansas State 34, Texas 27
Joey Hickey: Texas 28, Kansas State 23
Cami Griffin: Texas 37, Kansas State 31
