Texas Football: 3 problematic Cyclones for the Longhorns

2) Problematic Cyclones for Texas football

The most notable name on the entire Iowa State roster heading into this season is junior quarterback Brock Purdy, and with good reason. Purdy had a solid start to his Iowa State career over the course of his first two seasons (2018 and 2019). But his production has waned a bit to start the 2020 season.

Through eight games played, Purdy registered a 63.7 completion percentage, 1,713 passing yards, 7.2 adjusted yards per passing attempt, 13 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 137.5 passer efficiency rating. He’s added 253 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns this season too.

His completion percentage, passer efficiency rating, and adjusted yards per passing attempt, are all at career lows thus far for Purdy. He’s also on pace for career lows in passing yards and passing touchdowns. It wouldn’t take all that much for interceptions to reach a career-high either.

However, Purdy still has a solid set of skill position weapons at his disposal. Beyond what he has at running back, Purdy can rely on the likes of wide receiver Xavier Hutchison and tight end Charlie Kolar to help shoulder the load for this offense.

In terms of how the Longhorns can matchup with Purdy, there’s good news in the recent history of this series between these two teams. Purdy is 1-1 in his career against the Longhorns, but last year’s win wasn’t by a very big margin. He’s also registered 484 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two picks, in two tries against Texas.

The lowest passer efficiency rating for Purdy against any Big 12 opponent is against the Longhorns, below 118.0.