Texas vs. Iowa St. Total Pick
Will Texas and Iowa State open the college football weekend with a high-scoring game when the two Big 12 foes meet up on Thursday at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Texas is favored in Thursday’s game, as the Longhorns are getting odds of -5 points against the Cyclones. The over/under total for the game is listed at 63.5 points. Texas has won five of the last six against Iowa State and the two have hit the under in their last two meetings. Thursday’s game takes place from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa and will air live on ESPN.
NCAA FB QUICK LINKS: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats | Standings
Texas has started the season 1-2 with losses to Maryland and USC. The Longhorns are 2-1 with the under thus far despite averaging 40.3 points per game on offense right now. Texas is putting up 487.3 yards per game with a balanced attack. Shane Buechele started the year at QB but has been battling a shoulder injury that has caused him to miss the last few weeks. Sam Ehlinger has replaced him and thrown for 520 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 58 yards. Chris Warren III is the leading rusher with 212 yards and two touchdowns while Collin Johnson has 16 receptions for 366 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Texas is holding opponents to 26 points and 373 yards per game.
Iowa State is 2-1 on the season with the lone loss being in overtime against Iowa. The Cyclones are 2-1 with the over as well. Iowa State is averaging 41.3 points and 460 yards per game on offense this season. Jacob Park is having a great start to 2017, throwing for 935 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions. David Montgomery has rushed for 321 yards and four touchdowns while Hakeem Butler is the leading receiver with 15 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Iowa State is allowing 27.3 points and 402 yards per game including nearly 300 passing yards per contest.
This game seems like it should be another shootout, but the Texas defense is being overlooked. Since the horrible showing against Maryland to start the year, the Longhorns have been locked in on that side of the ball. Texas held San Jose State scoreless, then gave up just 27 points to USC on the road with two overtimes. Iowa State should be slowed down by the Longhorns on Thursday while the Texas offense still has to work out a few issues themselves. This game could be about a 32-28 score and still go under.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: TEXAS/IOWA STATE UNDER 63.5