Iowa State Football: Texas Preview

October 1, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones player Kurt Hammerschmidt (86) catches a pass against the Texas Longhorns at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE.

Iowa State vs. (17)Texas

Saturday, November 10th – at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium; Austin, Texas

Cyclones: 5-4, 2-4 (eighth in conference) | Longhorns: 7-2, 4-2 (third in conference)

• Kickoff – 11:00 am CT
• Television – ABC (WOI) and Longhorn Network outside of Iowa
  ABC Announcers: Mark Neely (PxP), Ray Bentley (commentary)
  LHN Announcers: Mike Patrick (PxP), Ed Cunningham (commentary)  
• Radio – Cyclone Radio Network (affiliate list)
  Announcers: John Walters (PxP), Eric Heft (commentary) 
• Weather – Cloudy to partly sunny, 78-83 degrees (from AccuWeather as of Friday night)
• Odds – Texas is favored by 10 points and the total over/under is set at 54.5 points (from LVH as of Friday night)

Quick History

• 10th meeting, Texas leads all-time series 8-1.
• Lone ISU victory came last visit to Austin two years ago, 28-21.
• Texas has been ranked in the AP top 25 in each meeting except in 1998.

October 1, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones player Steele Jantz (2) throws a pass against the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE

If Iowa State fails for the second straight week to pick up that sixth win, it could have simply been being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Darrell K. Royal, Texas’ all-time winningest coach with a record of 167-47-5 in his 20 years with the Longhorns, passed away this week at the age of 88. With the entire fanbase reflecting in the glorious past of DKR, the team running the wishbone formation for the first play of the game which Royal pioneered, and the electric fans that will ignite their team, it could possibly be too much to handle for the Cyclones.

What the Cyclones need to focus on is simply to play their style of game. Obviously pay your respects to one of the greatest coaches in college football history. But when it’s gametime, eliminate the distractions as much as possible.

Perhaps the emotions of DKR’s passing could reflect negatively on Texas as well. Regardless of whether the Longhorns come out sharp or flat, the team needs to focus on the gameplan. It should be trying to establish the running game against one of the worst running defenses in the nation. If the offensive line continues to block well, that will give Steele Jantz enough time to pass and continue on his efficiency of not turning the ball over.

[See also: Is the Longhorn’s defense back?]

Injury Report

October 1, 2011; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones fan during the game against the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Texas beat Iowa State 37-14. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE

Defensive back Jansen Watson for Iowa State has an MCL injury and is currently doubtful against Texas. Watson is seventh on the list in total tackles with 39 (31 solo).

Five players are listed for Texas all as “questionable” against Iowa State. This list includes:

• Linebacker Kendall Thompson (concussion)
• Defensive tackle Ashton Dorsey (undisclosed)
• Safety Sheroid Evans (leg)
• Wide receiver Cayleb Jones (knee)
• Wide receiver Miles Onyegbule (ankle)

Out of all those injuries, Thompson would be the biggest loss ranking fourth in total tackles with 47 (25 solo) and also has 4.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Running back Malcolm Brown, who has 240 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, didn’t play against Texas Tech but is currently listed as “probable.”

[Also see: Five biggest playmakers on Texas]

Prediction

Iowa State’s offense has moved the ball better in these last two weeks than most of the season. If James White can get the ground game going, it opens things up for their backup running backs. With Texas ranked 107th in rush defense it’s paramount for the Cyclones to run the ball successfully. Until last week, I believed Iowa State would win in Texas for the second straight time. But after the Longhorns rebounded against Texas Tech, I think Mack Brown’s increased involvement with the defense will get them a close victory and Iowa State will still be looking to be bowl eligible.

Texas 31, Iowa State 27

[Also see: A Q&A with Hook’em Headlines]

Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Clones Confidential. Keep up with the latest sports fails and disdain toward the Big Ten by following him on Twitter.

Read his other work on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo, and Lacrosse the Web.