Game Prediction: Texas Longhorns Vs Oklahoma State Cowboys
Sept 15, 2012; Oxford, MS, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Malcolm Brown (28) advances the ball for a touchdown during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Texas Longhorns defeated the Mississippi Rebels 66-31. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE
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After 13 days off, the Longhorns begin conference play. Ever since last December’s beatdown from RG3 and Baylor, the Longhorns have wanted to prove that they are getting back to being on top of the Big 12. The Longhorns beat the Cal Golden Bears in the Holiday bowl and then took care of business against Wyoming, New Mexico, and Ole Miss. Now it’s time to prove that the Longhorns are back and they get to do that against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, OK. Here is the Game prediction for the Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
When Texas runs the ball
Texas has been very good running the ball all season long to this point. The critics of the Texas Longhorns rushing attack was that it beat up on a number of weaker opponents and then would disappear against good defenses. I think at first, the Longhorns will run the ball and Oklahoma State will load the box against the Longhorns. In the end, I think the running game will open up and make a big impact.
Advantage: Texas
When Texas throws the ball
Oklahoma State’s pass defense is ranked 62nd in the nation and if you take out the Savannah State game, the pass defense would rank 113th in the nation. Ouch. That would be worse than the Ole Miss pass defense. David Ash will get his opportunities early and hopefully in the bye week, he worked on his timing with his receivers because being a little late will not help against a good cornerback in Justin Gilbert. But I haven’t seen anything from the Oklahoma State defense that makes me question who has the advantage here.
Advantage: Texas
When Oklahoma State runs the ball
Texas struggled to stop the run this year. 48 of the 170 yards that Ole Miss got on the ground came from 1 run, but after that, Ole Miss averaged 3.7 yards per rush. The problem with this defense is that they have been poor at tackling and that has to stop in this game. It’s likely that JW Walsh will start this game or at least play a significant role in this game. I expect Oklahoma State to run zone read and option plays with Walsh and with Jordan Hicks out, they will have a slight advantage in this game.
Advantage: Oklahoma State
When Oklahoma State passes the ball
The Cowboys get passing yards like Kyrie Irving gets buckets. It’s just what they do and they do it well. Now what they don’t do is take care of the ball. Wes Lunt threw 4 interceptions against the Arizona Wildcats. I do see the Cowboys getting some yards and some points, but with ball hawks like Quandre Diggs, Carrington Byndum and Kenny Vaccaro, I see them turning over the ball at least 3 times. That’s why Texas will have the advantage here
Advantage: Texas
Prediction
Texas has said all week that they want to prove to the world that they are back. Oklahoma State has beaten the Longhorns 2 straight times and in Austin. Of course the Cowboys are confident they can play with the Longhorns. I can only think of 1 team in the Big 12 that doesn’t think they can play with the Longhorns. That’s what happens when you have the past two seasons that the Longhorns have had. They can change that perception real quick with a resounding victory over the Cowboys, but I can’t pick a blowout but the Longhorns will win.
Texas wins 41-31
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