IT Roundtable: Texas vs. Wyoming predictions, stories to watch, keys to the game

The No. 4 Longhorns look to go 3-0 for the first time since 2012 this week, and an opponent that was part of that 3-0 start 11 years ago is standing in their way. The Wyoming Cowboys, who also are seeking to go 3-0, head to Austin for the sixth meeting between the two programs.

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The Inside Texas staff offers players and storylines to watch, keys to the game, and predictions for the tilt between Texas and Wyoming.

What will be the biggest indicator that Texas stayed focused and avoided a letdown with their preparation for Wyoming?

Eric Nahlin – A fast start on offense. That side requires better timing and choreography. It’s easier to play fast on defense than offense.

Justin Wells – The first few drives. If Texas comes out and punches Wyoming in the mouth early, that’ll be a good sign the Alabama win is in the rear view.

Ian Boyd – Crisp pass protection that allows the Longhorns to land some shots in the passing game early on, which leads to opportunities for back-ups to play early.

Joe Cook – A clean game. Of Texas’ four penalties versus Alabama, three were of the aggressive kind (there was a delay of game on the opening drive taken to give Ryan Sanborn more room to operate, and operate he did). To play an entire 60-minute game on the road at Alabama with three penalized mishaps is a credit to the focus the Longhorns played with. Now, it’s something to be repeated within the far friendlier confines of DKR. The Longhorns also won the turnover battle, something that always is critical to victory. If Texas can avoid turnovers and stay in front of the chains versus Wyoming like it should, the talent will come to bear and the Longhorns will have a 3-0 start under their belt.

Gerry Hamilton – Physicality on the offensive line from the first snap, a mentally locked-in offensive line followed by perimeter blocking on the edge, and locking in and executing from the start offensively. That includes receivers running precise routes and a clean first half offensively. On defense, being gap sound, rush lane sound, and not blowing coverages down the field against an opponent that will have to grind out first downs unless they are handed a scoring opportunity.

Bobby Burton – Moving the ball consistently on offense. Staying focused on third downs on defense and not letting the quarterback make hay with his legs.

Paul Wadlington – Excellent execution and aggressive play calling from the opening kickoff on offense and a hard-hitting, hustling defense that’s trying their best for a shutout for four quarters. This is a play-to-standard game in front of a packed house. Let’s come out and make a statement about the program’s focus. I’d start Quinn Ewers with tempo on script and signal to the team that we take every week seriously. I’m not concerned about defensive intensity. Too many leaders on that side of the ball.

How will Wyoming try to pull off another upset of a Texas school?

Eric Nahlin – Trick plays and misdirection that test the defense’s discipline. The defense could come out playing too aggressive after the win in Alabama. I’d expect a heavy dose of QB run as well.

Justin Wells – By playing incredibly sound and opportunistic defense, and big plays from Cowboy QB Andrew Peasley.

Ian Boyd – They have to confuse Quinn Ewers, keep him off rhythm, and find big plays from one of the three phases of football. Honestly I think their best bet is to play a close, physical game and look for a moral victory.

Joe Cook – Ball control. Wyoming doesn’t want Texas to have an excessive numbers of opportunities on offense. The Cowboys will try to gain yardage in small chunks and milk the clock to reduce the amount of times Texas can make the talent advantage work in its favor and/or go deep. Big game for the Longhorn defensive line.

Gerry Hamilton – Ball control with a low possession total, and forcing Texas to commit three turnovers with two occurring inside its own 40.

Bobby Burton – Shorten the game. Ball control offense and stop the run on defense.

Paul Wadlington – They’ll try to control the ball on offense and turn it into a rock fight on defense with some junk coverages and different looks that seek to throw off timing. They’ll test the Texas D-line early with stunts and movement to see if they can get a Rice repeat. If the Horns start sluggishly, crowd irritation can actually turn against the home team. I’m just struggling to understand how Wyoming can score beyond 50-yard field goals.

With CJ Baxter being a game-time decision, what do you want to see from other backs like Jonathon Brooks, Keilan Robinson, and Jaydon Blue?

Eric Nahlin – First, I would sit Baxter and give him time to get healthier ahead of Baylor and the conference opener. What’s the value in playing him this week? With his absence I would play Jaydon Blue as the No. 2 back and keep Keilan Robinson in his current role. Overall I’d like to see the O-line move the line of scrimmage and create space for Brooks and Blue to pop some big runs. Wyoming is a nice little test.

Justin Wells – An even number of carries between the trio. That means the offense is operating at maximum capacity.

Ian Boyd – From Brooks I’m curious to see whether he can carry a heavier load, although there’s really no reason to stress him too much with Jaydon Blue still on the roster and a full conference slate yet to go. This would definitely be a good week to throw in some gadget plays for Keilan Robinson to abuse the Cowboys’ lack of speed.

Joe Cook – I want to see Brooks get about 15 carries that’ll tax him a bit. He was nails in the last possession versus Bama, can he follow that up with hard running this week? I don’t want Steve Sarkisian to overdo it, so this should be a good chance for Robinson, Blue, and others to get quality opportunities.

Gerry Hamilton – Texas can get the back in space on the hash marks and make plays. That is right up the alley of Jaydon Blue and Keilan Robinson. I would limit Brooks’ touches to ensure he’s ready for Baylor with Baxter still less than 100%. Let Savion Red deliver some angry pad pops between the tackles.

Bobby Burton – I want to see some tough runs outside of Brooks. I’d even like to get a glimpse of Savion Red at some point.

Paul Wadlington – I’d like to see a primary rotation centered around Brooks and Blue. Brooks needs to show that he can make a key catch when Sark dials up a scoring play – dropping more touchdowns ain’t gonna work. Blue has a chance to run hard and audition for an expanded role against a defense that’s quick and sound, but lacks raw foot speed. Robinson needs to offer stability, catch the ball and do veteran stuff. Quietly, a big opportunity for Blue here.

Over/under: Three catches for former Cowboy Isaiah Neyor

Eric Nahlin – I guess I need to go under. I don’t fully understand why we haven’t seen more Neyor. Surely they weren’t saving him for Wyoming.

Justin Wells – Under. But he’ll catch a touchdown.

Ian Boyd – Over, he’ll probably get a lot of snaps later in the game.

Joe Cook – I’ll go over, and I’ll say two of those catches come via Maalik Murphy.

Gerry Hamilton – Three and a touchdown.

Bobby Burton – An even three.

Paul Wadlington – Push. Sark has had a very limited rotation out wide and he’s interested in scoring points and refining the offense. I’d love to see four or five catches, including a touchdown though.

Final score prediction, does Texas start 3-0 for the first time since 2012?

Eric Nahlin – 38-13, Texas. I can see a scenario where the offense struggles a bit at first but the game is never in doubt. After Texas has total control on the scoreboard, Sark is content with the win and focuses on playing the youth as many snaps as possible.

Justin Wells – 44-17, Texas

Ian Boyd – 48-13, Texas

Joe Cook – 45-21, Texas

Gerry Hamilton – 38-9, Texas

Bobby Burton – 31-10, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 41-6, Texas

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What, if anything, would a 3-0 start mean for the Longhorns?

Eric Nahlin – It means they were 1-0 against Alabama and have given themselves some wiggle room to still make the College Football Playoff if they drop a game as the favorite somewhere along the conference slate.

Justin Wells – It means they didn’t look past Wyoming, which shows remarkable maturity and focus.

Ian Boyd – I think it’s basically baked in with the victory over Alabama. Wyoming isn’t going to beat Texas in Austin at DKR at night. The 3-0 start has been pretty rare and will give them a lot of confidence and margin heading into the season. It’ll also allow them to rest their starters more than in previous seasons. Ultimately the big narrative discussions are really related to owning a road win over Bama.

Joe Cook – Aside from the small historical milestone, it would provide Texas a one-game margin for error as it pertains to the College Football Playoff that wasn’t widely anticipated entering the season.

Gerry Hamilton – It means Texas won its non-conference slate in a very big way. Now, it’s time to start using Matthew McConaughey’s famous line from 2005… the Big 12 Championship is the goal, the National Championship is the dream.

Bobby Burton – It means we’re witnessing real consistency from Texas for the first time in a long while. The Horns win Saturday, and Texas is 9-3 over its last 12 games. That’s a nice little run compared to where this program was just 24 months ago.

Paul Wadlington – It means they’ve achieved the next logical step to 4-0.