College Football Odds, Picks for Texas vs Iowa State: Offenses to Light It Up

College Football Odds, Picks for Texas vs Iowa State: Offenses to Light It Up article feature image
Credit:

Tim Warner/Getty Images. Pictured: Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Texas Longhorns vs Iowa State Cyclones Odds

Texas Logo
Saturday, Nov. 18
8 p.m. ET
FOX
Iowa State Logo
Texas Odds
Point SpreadOver/UnderMoneyline
-7
-115
44.5
-115o / -105u
-275
Iowa State Odds
Point SpreadOver/UnderMoneyline
+7
-105
44.5
-115o / -105u
+225
Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAF odds here.
BetMGM Logo

Sign up using our Caesars Sportsbook promo code to make a Texas vs. Iowa State wager.


Well, if it isn't clear by now, Texas is back, and its domination of the Big 12 is a testament to that.

The Longhorns enter this game on a roll, rattling off four straight wins. But now, they have an intriguing challenge ahead of them.

That challenge comes in the form of the Iowa State Cyclones. The Cyclones are a team that has leaned on their stellar defense to make them 5-2 in conference play, but their offense deserves far more credit.

What kind of game script will we see when these two teams square off? It may be one that surprises you.

Phone With the Action App Open
The must-have app for college football bettors
The best NCAAF betting scoreboard
Free picks from proven pros
Live win probabilities for your bets

Check out our NCAAF Betting Hub for more college football previews, predictions, news, and analysis.

Header First Logo

Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns offense has been cooking this season, and we all know that it starts with quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Ewers has taken a big step forward in his sophomore season, as he's 15th in the nation in completion percentage and averaging 9.1 yards per completion.

Ewers will be in for a tall task against this Iowa State secondary that has proven to be stingy. The Cyclones are sixth in opponent completion percentage and 15th in yards per pass allowed.

However, they don't generate much pressure, and Ewers should find holes in the secondary if given ample time.

We also can't discuss the Longhorns offense without mentioning Jonathan Brooks. Brooks had a stellar season, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, but he's now out for the year with a torn ACL.

It'll be interesting to see how effective CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue are in relief when the Cyclones are projected to get a solid push in the trenches.


Header First Logo

Iowa State Cyclones

The Cyclones are a team you'd think would run the ball, shorten the game and lean on their defense. However, that's not where we've seen them be successful this season.

Credit has to be given to quarterback Rocco Becht. The freshman is 58th in the nation in QBR, and he's climbed the rankings by being a very efficient passer.

Iowa State's offense has lacked explosiveness this season, but it's not a team that needs big plays to succeed, as its rank of 49th in Quality Drives shows.

The Longhorns' defensive line has a massive edge in the trenches and will likely shut down the running game. Despite that, Becht should find ways to keep drives alive, as the big boys up front have kept him well-protected all season long.

If Becht does indeed have time in the pocket, he should be able to capitalize against a Longhorns secondary that's due to regress.


Header First Logo
Header Second Logo

Texas vs Iowa State

Matchup Analysis

Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Texas and Iowa State match up statistically:

Texas Offense vs. Iowa State Defense
Offense
Defense
Edge
Rush Success8448
Line Yards6426
Pass Success2738
Havoc5766
Finishing Drives6829
Quality Drives1425
Iowa State Offense vs. Texas Defense
Offense
Defense
Edge
Rush Success13210
Line Yards1319
Pass Success9546
Havoc5088
Finishing Drives7827
Quality Drives4931
Pace of Play / Other
PFF Tackling9166
PFF Coverage8811
Special Teams SP+4926
Middle 86627
Seconds per Play26.4 (58)29.9 (120)
Rush Rate54.4% (63)51.7% (69)

Header First Logo

Texas vs Iowa State

Betting Pick & Prediction

I said in the intro that this game script may be surprising, as both of these offenses are primed to have success through the air.

Two successful passing offenses point to this one going over, especially with the total sitting just below the key number of 48.

Pick: Over 46.5 (Play to 47.5)

About the Author
Doug Ziefel is a contributor for the Action Network. He specializes in College Fooball, College Basketball, and rooting for bad New York teams.

Follow Doug Ziefel @DougZiefel on Twitter/X.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.