The No. 13 Texas Longhorns (-3) are gearing up to host the No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium/Jamail Field. LGHN will televise the action and this vital Big 12 matchup is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big 12 game, Texas has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Cyclones are also receiving +135 moneyline odds while the Longhorns are -155. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 50.5 points, and if one side gets out in front in the early stages, it will probably create a reasonable in-game betting opportunity.
The game’s O/U has moved downward after opening at 51. The original line has yet to change.
The surprising Cyclones are 6-3 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 5.8 units so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an O/U mark of 3-6. The Longhorns have gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-6 ATS and six of their games have gone over the total.
The Cyclones are 6-3 straight up (SU), including 5-2 SU against conference opponents. The Longhorns are 7-3 SU overall and are also 5-2 SU in conference play.
When these two squads faced each other last year, Texas emerged victorious by a score of 17-7.
The Cyclones are looking to keep things going after a solid 28-14 win over Baylor last week. The passing game was sharp as Brock Purdy completed 18-of-23 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown. Purdy (56 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack and was complemented by David Montgomery (53 yards on 11 carries). Deshaunte Jones (four receptions, 39 yards, one TD) and Matthew Eaton (three catches, 61 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Texas just put together a 41-34 win over Texas Tech. Sam Ehlinger completed 22-of-34 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Tre Watson (58 rushing yards on 18 attempts) and the signal-caller Ehlinger (14 yards on 15 carries) handled the running attack while Lil’Jordan Humphrey (eight receptions, 159 yards, two TDs) and Jerrod Heard (six catches, 54 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Iowa State has run the ball on 55.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Texas has a rush percentage of 52.8 percent. The Cyclones have produced 129 rush yards per game (including 144 per game versus Big 12 opponents) and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Longhorns are putting up 156 rush yards per game (145 in conference) and have 17 total rushing TDs.
The Cyclones offensive scheme has tallied 241 yards per contest through the air overall (253 per game versus conference opposition) and has 17 passing scores so far. The Longhorns have recorded 271 pass yards per contest (282.1 in the Big 12) and have 22 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Iowa State seems to have the upper hand in both phases. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 109 yards and pass for 235 yards per game. The Texas D has given up 276.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 143.9 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cyclones are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.60 to opposing QBs, while the Longhorns have given up a 6.80 ANY/A.
Offensively, Purdy is up to 1,052 passing yards this season. He’s connected on 67-of-98 attempts with 10 scores through the air and only two interceptions. He has a sparkling 10.75 adjusted net yards per pass attempt.
In the other locker room, Sam Ehlinger has connected on 180-of-283 passes for 2,129 yards, 17 TDs and two INTs. Ehlinger’s ANY/A sits at 7.60 for the season and 9.89 over his last two outings.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Iowa State Cyclones at Texas Longhorns
SU Winner – Texas, ATS Winner – Texas, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Cyclones offense has created 10 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Longhorns have accounted for six such plays.
The Iowa State defense has allowed five pass plays of 40+ yards, while Texas has given up 13 such plays.
The Iowa State offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Texas has created five such runs.
The Cyclones defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Longhorns have given up 10 such runs.
The Iowa State defense has sacked opposing QBs 24 times this year. Texas has produced 19 sacks.
Iowa State has averaged 3.5 yards per carry over its past three outings and 3.5 over its last two.
Texas has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.7 over its past two.
In its last three contests, Texas is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The O/U for Iowa State’s last game was set at 51. The under cashed in the team’s 28-14 triumph over Baylor.
In its last three contests, Iowa State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Texas’ last game was set at 62.5. The over cashed in the 41-34 victory over Texas Tech.
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