Texas Football: The 3 Biggest X-Factors for Texas vs. Iowa State

The Longhorns finally get a breather after three tough losses in four weeks, getting the 2-4 Iowa State Cyclones at home. 

As long as they don't beat themselves, the Horns should break their two-game losing streak.

"It doesn't feel like a 2-4 team," senior defensive end Cedric Reed told reporters following the 31-26 loss to Oklahoma, via Texas' official website. And he's right, because the Longhorns are really close to being good but have only themselves to blame for their worst start since 1956.

After all, this 2-4 start could have been 4-2 with better decision-making.

Let's start with Texas' 20-17 loss to UCLA. The Longhorns infamously botched the coin toss to give the Bruins possession to start both halves. UCLA scored its first touchdown on its first drive of the second half and scored the game-winner on its last one.

The most recent loss to the Sooners is worse. The Longhorns should have had a 17-0 lead going into halftime instead of being down by four. A hold negated a 75-yard run by Tyrone Swoopes, and another bad snap on the goal line forced Texas to settle for a field goal rather than an easy touchdown.

Then there's what Texas gave up. Special teams was embarrassing in coverage on Alex Ross' kickoff return score, and a silly catch interference penalty put the Sooners in Longhorn territory on a drive that ended in a field goal.

Factor in Swoopes' pick-six to Zack Sanchez, and you're down 17-13 rather than up 17-0, or 10-0 at worst.

What the Longhorns need is a confidence boost. They haven't had a game all season in which they delivered a complete performance, and this week is the chance to do it.

Iowa State resides in the bottom half of the Big 12 in every major offensive and defensive category. The Cyclones play hard but are less talented than Texas at every position.

Avoiding dumb mistakes, continuing to improve in the running game and trusting in Tyrone Swoopes will be the X-factors that determine whether the Horns can actually deliver on this opportunity.

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Minimize Mistakes

We touched on this above, but Texas' awful proclivity toward shooting itself in the foot cannot be discussed enough. 

Every week, the Longhorns are finding new ways to get in their own way. They've fumbled three times on the goal line, have given up a special teams touchdown in consecutive games and are even having trouble getting the play off in time.

"My headphone went out is what happened. They didn't hear the personnel come out of my mouth, and that's why we started eating up clock," said offensive coordinator Shawn Watson in reference to an unbelievable timeout taken prior to a two-point conversion, via the Texas website.

Okay, so what about the other delay of game? The second-quarter drive that ate two timeouts to avoid another five-yard penalty?

Until they start moving the ball on a consistent basis, these penalties and errors will kill the Horns. They aren't the Baylor Bears, who can just erase 21-point deficits like clockwork.

Mistakes will obviously be made, but minimizing them will make a huge difference in the final score. This is especially true against a Cyclones team that Texas should dominate.

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The Continued Improvement of the Ground Game

Gaining 148 yards on 41 carries isn't great, but it's something when you're going up against Jordan Phillips and Geneo Grissom. If that's a sign of what's to come, the Longhorn offense will hit its stride against the Cyclones.

Offensive line coach Joe Wickline has tinkered with the Texas front the past couple of games, inserting Darius James in at right tackle, removing Jake Raulerson from the center and shoving both Kent Perkins and Taylor Doyle over a spot.

As a result, the Longhorns have found running room against both Baylor and Oklahoma, two of the top five Big 12 defenses in terms of yards per carry. 

We've yet to have a game where Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown both go off, but this could be the week. The Cyclones are giving up 212 yards per game, and a consistent rushing attack will transform this offense.

Just watch.

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Keep Swoopes Rolling

The pick-six was unfortunate, but Swoopes just quietly turned in one of the best games in the history of the Red River Rivalry.

The sophomore quarterback was a different player after playing like a high schooler against Baylor. He kept his eyes up when he felt pressure, rediscovered his accuracy and ran with purpose when needed.

Without a doubt, the difference with Swoopes was his confidence. Two weeks ago, there's no way he's high-stepping into the end zone like he did on Saturday.

Unsurprisingly, Swoopes' best game coincided with Texas' highest scoring output since Week 1. And remember the 75-yard run he had called back by a dumb hold.

The Horns will go as he goes the rest of this season. Iowa State can't stop the player we saw in Dallas on Saturday, so the coaches have to do whatever they can to replicate that for this Saturday and beyond.