Inside Texas Roundtable: Texas vs. Kansas State predictions, key matchups, Big 12 title race, and more

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns host the No. 25 Kansas State Wildcats in a game with significant Big 12 and College Football Playoff implications. Ahead of the 11 a.m. contest on Saturday, the Inside Texas staff provides predictions, keys to the game, a look at the Big 12 title race, and more.

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Is this a Big 12 Championship semifinal?

Eric Nahlin – It sure seems like it. The losing teams will have a tough time getting back into the race, especially with OU having the tiebreaker over Texas (if both OU and UT lose this weekend).

Justin Wells – Basically. If Texas wins, the path becomes crystal clear. If Kansas State wins, that road becomes darker for the Horns.

Ian Boyd – Probably not, these teams at the top aren’t as good as they seem and schedules are a lot easier than they used to be. I think at least one two-loss team will play for the title.

Joe Cook – Yes, because this is the toughest game remaining on each team’s schedule.

Bobby Burton – Yes.

Gerry Hamilton – It is for Kansas State. If the Wildcats win, they will end up in the Big 12 Championship game.

Paul Wadlington – Probably, but there’s still a good bit of football to be played.

If the Texas offense can _______, then the Longhorns will win this game

Eric Nahlin – Score touchdowns in the red zone! There are some good strength on strength matchups in this game but this is a severe UT weakness going up against a major K-State strength.

Justin Wells – Run for 250+ yards on the ground. RTDB.

Ian Boyd – Score two touchdowns from outside the red zone. Maalik Murphy can’t throw it to the ‘Cats either but a few explosive scores should create the necessary margin.

Joe Cook – Run over the Flyover. Sark tries his hand at a number of different strategies against this type of defense before eventually settling on running the dang ball. I think we’ll see a good amount of heavy 12 with Malik Agbo to help counter that. It’s how Texas beat K-State and Iowa State last year, and it’s how they’ll try to do the same this year.

Bobby Burton – Score three touchdowns

Gerry Hamilton – Score three touchdowns in the red zone

Paul Wadlington – Run the ball, convert in the red zone and avoid turnovers

If the Texas defense can ________, then the Longhorns will win this game

Eric Nahlin – Slow down the multi-faceted Wildcats running game.

Justin Wells – Keep Avery Johnson contained and Will Howard humbled.

Ian Boyd – Force two turnovers. Kansas State has a sturdy offense but their strengths align against the strengths of the Texas defense. If they turn it over a few times in DKR the game is going to be put on a shelf they can’t reach.

Joe Cook – Create 3rd and 6 or longer situations for the Wildcat offense. Standard down success is how Kansas State has thrived for the past… 30 years?

Bobby Burton – Stop the QB run game

Gerry Hamilton – Win on first down

Paul Wadlington – Take away the Wildcat run game and understand that the RBs and TE are the key to the Wildcat play action passing game

Another potential Big 12 semifinal is in Stillwater this weekend. Who wins between the Sooners and the Cowboys?

Eric Nahlin – Oklahoma… State. The OSU run game is on fire and I believe the OU defense is susceptible to an offensive game plan centered on running the ball with conviction.

Justin Wells – Everyone says Okie State. Give me the Sooners.

Ian Boyd – How bout them other Cowboys? These aren’t the Sooners everyone knows from the recent past, they’ve just appeared that way due to their schedule and heroic showing in the Cotton Bowl. They’re limping into this game and OSU will be ready to die on the field to get the W.

Joe Cook – I think both teams look great but the Boone Pickens Stadium crowd is worth a little more than Vegas’ typical three points this time and propels the Pokes to victory.

Bobby Burton – The Sooners have played three close ones in a row. This will be the fourth, and their second loss.

Gerry Hamilton – Mike Gundy is 3-15 vs. OU. I’ll take OU in the bounce back in an extremely hostile environment.

Paul Wadlington – There are some pretty good indicators of the Cowboys pulling the upset but the series is 91-19-7 in favor of OU for a reason. I’ll take the Pokes and the points.

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Texas vs. Kansas State score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 24-21, Texas. It’s tough picking Texas scores right now. Consider, the Horns don’t score enough short yardage touchdowns and Sark doesn’t like kicking field goals.

Justin Wells – 31-28, Kansas State

Ian Boyd – 30-23, Texas

Joe Cook – 26-20, Texas

Bobby Burton – 24-23, Texas

Gerry Hamilton – 34-27, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 24-21, Kansas State (Hope I’m laying down a reverse jinx).