Inside Texas Roundtable - Oklahoma State

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Texas travels to Stillwater with so much more than one game on the line. The Inside Texas staff offers predictions, players to watch, and other Halloween goodies in the Roundtable.

1. They’re all must-win for Texas if they want to maintain (still alive) hopes at reaching the Big 12 Championship. Where does Texas have an advantage over the Cowboys that might help them win in Stillwater?

Justin Wells – Texas can score when they go tempo. The Pokes will attempt to make this a shootout. If UT wants to win, it’ll have to load its guns.

Eric Nahlin – D-line versus their OL, but Oklahoma State will do this novel thing where they scheme around it with quick (RPO) and slow (screens) hitters.

Ian Boyd – Texas has Sam Ehlinger, who can be the best player on the field if he’s allowed to do what he does best. Which is to orchestrate drives from 4/5 wide at tempo and combine short passing, scrambling, and opportunistic shot-taking down the field.

Scipio Tex – QB experience. Texas has a senior QB with 38 starts under his belt. Coach like it. Put the ball in his hands, let him make decisions from tempo showing new looks, and see if we can get Oklahoma State’s D crossed up. Crowd noise isn’t an issue. We should have had an advantage on the OL vs. theirs given their issues at RG and LT, but we f’ed that up. 

Joe Cook – Quarterback, but I will be watching Ta’Quon Graham, Keondre Coburn, T’Vondre Sweat, and Alfred Collins today. I think that group can cause some havoc and mess with Oklahoma State’s plans.

2. Favorite Halloween costume (whether yours or your children’s) and favorite candy

Justin Wells –  Lt. Dangle from Reno 911 and Reese’s Peanut Butter cups.

Eric Nahlin – I think I was a blonde haired round eyed ninja five years in a row. My little Barrett will be a pirate, but only because he hasn’t been exposed to 80’s ninja movies. Yet.

Ian Boyd – My eldest kid had a good Captain America costume when he was like two that was great. I tend to pick off the Snickers and 3 Musketeers bars out of the candy bin or the children’s haul.

Scipio Tex – I’ll keep it wholesome. When my son was 3 he dressed as a triceratops. Our goldendoodle, who loves dressing up, was a stegosaurus and her spiked tail wouldn’t stop wagging. They were so freaking cute walking down the street together with his Trick or Treat bag, that random women were clutching their chests and shrieking “Oh, my God,” eyes moistening from the force of their maternal instincts bubbling over. My son got into the whole triceratops vibe and would randomly charge trash cans and trample lawn ornaments. 

Joe Cook – I am Jim Harbaugh for Halloween every year, which is why I hope he stays at Michigan for a while. I’m all about 3 Musketeers.

3. Last year, Spencer Sanders was the most productive of the trio of Sanders, Chuba Hubbard, and Tylan Wallace. Who ends up with the biggest game this year?

Justin Wells – Give me Tylan.

Eric Nahlin – I think Hubbard because I have little faith in the LBs. I think Overshown is growing but it’s a classic case of learning on the job, and Gundy has some teaching to do.

Ian Boyd – I think Tylan Wallace will torch Texas as a result of them not parking Caden Sterns over the top against him on every snap like they did in Austin last year. If they do, or Josh Thompson can check him, then I’ll vote for Chuba Hubbard.

Scipio Tex – Totally game plan dependent. We can remove Wallace from the game if we want to and they’ll be eager to have our LBs try to tackle Hubbard in space, but I’ll go Sanders for his overall ability to hurt us with his legs & arm. 

Joe Cook – If it’s Wallace, it’s bad news for Texas. If it’s Sanders, I think that gives Texas the best chance but this is a different Sanders than the redshirt freshman that walked into a raucous DKR last season.

4. Which Longhorn defensive player needs to have his best game in order to give Texas a chance?

Justin Wells – DeMarvion Overshown. If he can hold down the middle of the field, the defense has a shot.

Eric Nahlin – Juwan Mitchell. Gulp.

Ian Boyd – Josh Thompson. I don’t think they can stop the run game if they have to double Wallace.

Scipio Tex – Their left tackle isn’t good. Pray Ossai is healthy enough to make his impact felt. If you speed up Sanders, good things can happen for the Horn D.

Joe Cook – It’s Ossai, but like I mentioned, the interior DL needs to perform well.

5. Score prediction

Justin Wells – Oklahoma State 45-35

Eric Nahlin – Oklahoma State 31-24

Ian Boyd – Oklahoma State 38-13

Scipio Tex – Oklahoma State 31-22

Joe Cook – Oklahoma State 38-21

6. Upset of the Week. 

Justin Wells – K-State over WVU.

Eric Nahlin – Virginia over Mack Brown

Ian Boyd – Kansas State over West Virginia.

Scipio Tex – I suppose KSU over WVU. I like the 46.5 under more than the winner. 

Joe Cook – I’ll go Auburn as the one-point dog at home versus LSU.