The Kansas State Wildcats are on a tear over the last three weeks. This team is not the same squad that started the season 3-2 with losses to Missouri and Oklahoma State.
Since those losses, the Wildcats have made short work of competition. While the games came against some of the worst in the league, the teams deserves credit for soundly beating the teams on its schedule. Kansas State earned a 38-21 road win over Texas Tech before defeating both TCU and Houston by 38 or more points.
Enter Texas on the heels of a strong performance against BYU. The Longhorns defense dominated the Cougars behind three turnovers, 12 tackles for loss and only 292 total yards allowed on the game. The other side of the football will be Texas’ biggest variable.
The Longhorns are expected to again be without starting quarterback Quinn Ewers as he heals from a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Maalik Murphy is expected to make his second start of his college career.
Last week, Murphy put up a serviceable stat line going 16-for-25 for 170 yards with two touchdowns, a fumble and an interception. A closer look at the game revealed that the redshirt freshman put the ball in harm’s way more than the stat sheet would indicate.
Murphy can make the plays that help beat Kansas State, but he will need to bring a higher level of focus. He will look to bring his best when the Longhorns and Wildcats play Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on Fox.