Texas Longhorns Insider: Texas Versus Kansas State

After a somewhat surprising loss to Missouri last Saturday, the Texas Longhorns will take on the Kansas State Wildcats in a game that means a lot for both teams.  For Texas, they need a win to become bowl eligible while the Wildcats need to win to keep themselves ranked and keep a clear eye on a nice bowl game.

The Longhorns come into this game with a record of 6-3 while the Wildcats come into the game with 8-2.  Kansas State looks like they're on a roll now and will be a tough team for the Longhorns to beat.  But any team can be beaten, and if Texas wants to get to a bowl game, they have to try to beat the Wildcats.

But that could be difficult.

The Longhorns have been having quarterback problems since last season and it doesn’t look like they are going have that position stabilized this season.

Their leader at the position, David Ash, comes into this game having thrown 133 total passes completing 77 of them for a total of 887 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions.  They do get Case McCoy involved in the offense as well, and he’s thrown 63 passes with 41 completions for no interceptions and three touchdowns.

No matter what, the Longhorns passing game is hurting and it might not get fixed until next season.

The leading rusher on the team is Malcolm Brown.  Brown comes into the game having gained 635 yards on 131 attempts averaging 4.8 yards per rush with five touchdowns.  Fozzy Whittaker leads the team in touchdowns with five (and won’t be playing as his season is over). 

The leading receiver on the Longhorns is Mike Davis. Davis has a total of 521 yards on 33 catches and one touchdown.  The leader in touchdowns is Jaxon Shipley with three.

Texas is averaging 416 yards per game on offense gaining 227 yards per game on average on the ground to go along with 188 yards through the air.  It’s difficult for any college football team to win throwing the ball like the Longhorns are, and it appears as if that’s coming back to hurt them.

The Wildcats' leading passer is Collin Klein.  Klein has attempted 219 passes completing 129 with 1504 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.  While their passing game may not be the strongest or the best it’s still very effective.

When it comes to the running game, the quarterback leads all rushers as Klein has attempted 241 rushing attempts gaining 1231 yards while scoring 24 touchdowns.  He’s a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to rushing the football.  Shut him down and your chances of beating the Wildcats increase greatly.

The number one wide receiver on the team is Chris Harper.  Harper comes into this game having caught 37 passes for 509 yards and four touchdowns.  As previously stated, the Wildcats passing offense isn’t the strongest but it’s effective when it’s working.

The Wildcats are averaging 364 yards of offense per game while the Longhorns defense is keeping teams to an average of 313 yards per game.  The Wildcats are gaining an average of 208 yards per game while the Longhorns are allowing teams to gain an average of 101 yards per game.  Something might end up giving and swing the advantage over to the Longhorns.

When it comes to passing the ball, Kansas State is gaining an average of 155 yards per game, while the Longhorns defense is holding opponents to 212 yards per game.

It would seem like a good defensive effort from the Longhorns that would help them win this game.

Prediction

The Longhorns have a lot riding on this game and have a good chance to win.  The Wildcats are good but their offense is based almost solely on the performance of one player, and if Texas can shut him down they will win this game.

And the nice thing is the Longhorns have the ability to shut down the Wildcats and win this game.  But can they?

Expect the Longhorns to pull out a victory here and get to a bowl with this win.

Texas 21 Kansas State 17