College Football Pick: Texas Longhorns at Iowa State Cyclones

Tonight’s college football game features a Big 12 matchup as the Texas Longhorns (1-2) are at the Iowa State Cyclones (2-1). Thus far this season the Longhorns have sandwiched a win between two losses. They opened by hosting Maryland, losing to the Terrapins 51-41. In their second home game the following week, Texas then shut out San Jose State 56-0. In their first away game, which was played last week, the Longhorns lost in OT to #4 USC 27-24. This week they’ll try to get back on track against an Iowa State team that has played well thus far. In the team’s first game of the 2017 season, the Cyclones beat Northern Illinois 42-24. In game two, they played and lost to Iowa in OT 44-41. The Cyclones recovered last week as they put on the scoring jets in the second half and beat Arkansas 41-14. Our Texas plays Iowa State college football pick has the Cyclones at -5.0 and the over/under at 63.

Texas Offense vs. Cyclones Defense

The Longhorns have averaged 40.3 PPG and 487.3 yards of offense per game. Almost 300 of those yards have been in the air, while about 200 have been churned out on the ground. Sophomore QB Shane Buechele got the start and the loss against Maryland, which opened up the door for freshman QB, Sam Ehlinger to get the nod and win against San Jose State and to keep the team in the game in the OT loss to nationally ranked USC. Ehlinger has tossed three TD passes and two picks while completing just 53.7 percent of his passes. WR Collin Johnson has caught 16 passes for 366 yards and one TD, while WR Armanti Foreman has grabbed 15 passes averaging 9.7 YPC and scoring three TDs. At RB Chris Warren III is the club’s workhorse, as he’s scored twice and is averaging 8.2 YPA.

The Cyclones are allowing 295 yards in the air, 107 on the ground, and 27.3 PPG. The D has four players with one pick each and two players who have scored. DB Brian Peavy has played inspired football, grabbing one INT, defending two passes and recovering a fumble. He’s notched 21 tackles. LB Willie Harvey comes to this game with 2.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL, and 19 tackles. He also has an interception, pass defended, and TD. LBs Marcel Spears Jr. (27 TCKLs, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF) and Joel Lanning (26 TCKLs, 1.5 SCKs, 2.5 TFL, 1 INT) are premium defenders.

Iowa State Offense vs. Longhorns Defense

Iowa State, like Texas, offers a solid offense that is very capable of scoring. They are averaging 41.3 PPG. Led by junior QB Jacob Park (66.7 COMP%, 8 TDs, 2 INTs), the Cyclones offer a potent pass attack. Wideouts Hakeem Butler (15 REC, 15.6 YPC, 3 TDs) and Allen Lazard (19 REC, 9.4 YPC, 3 TDs) have both been go-to guys thus far this year. Plus sophomore RB David Montgomery (56 ATT, 5.7 YPA, 4 TDs) certainly gives Iowa State traction on the ground.

The Texas D is tough versus the pass, but not as effective against the run. The Longhorns are holding teams to 26.0 PPG. They are giving up 248 yards in the air and 125 on the ground. Texas has four picks thus far with DB Holton Hill grabbing two and safety DeShon Elliott the other two. Hill also has two TDs and three PD, while Elliot has scored once and defended two passes. DE Charles Omenihu has played well notching two sacks, two TFL and eight tackles. LB Malik Jefferson, who leads the team with 27 tackles, is fearsome. Anthony Wheeler (19 TCKLs, 1.5 SKCKs, 3.5 TFL) is a solid stopper.

Our Texas Plays Iowa State College Football Pick

Both teams have very good defenses, which should keep them in the game. We like both offenses too. Iowa State has a better and more experienced quarterback, while the Longhorns will be hard to stop on the ground. Our Texas plays Iowa State college football pick is under 63 points and the Cyclones at +5.0. We’re expecting a close one tonight.

Our Texas Plays Iowa State College Football Pick: Under 63 and Iowa State at +5.0