The Texas Longhorns find themselves in yet another must-win game as they host the Iowa State Cyclones. There is only one goal for the Longhorns and Tom Herman: Don’t lose another game. As long as they win out, then the Longhorns likely get another shot at Oklahoma. It would be much the same as the 2018 campaign except this time the Sooners would already have a win over their rivals.
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The Longhorns need the old Sam Ehlinger
For the Longhorns to make that much-needed run in the final three weeks, they need their quarterback, Sam Ehlinger, to play as they’ve seen before. He needs to put this team on his back one more time and push the throttle against Iowa State, Kansas State and Kansas in the final three weeks.
Ehlinger’s breakdown by month
| Ehlinger | Sept | Oct | Nov |
| Comp/Game | 26 | 20 | 15 |
| Att/Game | 36.5 | 36.5 | 31 |
| Comp % | 71.2 | 54.8 | 48.4 |
| Yards/Att | 9.4 | 6.6 | 5.9 |
| Yards/Game | 344.0 | 240.5 | 184 |
| TDs | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| INTs | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Ehlinger’s numbers in November
Looking at the previous two years, Ehlinger has shown he can be counted on as the months grow cold.
| Ehlinger | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Comp/Game | 18.8 | 21.3 | 15 |
| Att/Game | 28.3 | 33.3 | 31 |
| Comp % | 66.4 | 63.9 | 48.4 |
| Yards/Att | 8.5 | 8.2 | 5.9 |
| Yards/Game | 240.3 | 271.0 | 184 |
| TDs | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| INTs | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Ehlinger’s numbers against ranked and unranked teams
The good news for Texas Longhorns fans is the team has two of its three remaining games against unranked foes. Ehlinger has thrived in those games, so expect a good performance against Kansas State and Kansas.
The bad news is Iowa State is in the top 15, and it is up next. Small sample size this year with only one game against a ranked opponent. The offense was stagnant in that game and the defense rose to the occasion. Which Sam shows up on Friday?
| vs. Top 25 | Category | vs. Unranked |
| 18 | Comp/Game | 21.5 |
| 34 | Att/Game | 36 |
| 52.9 | Comp% | 59.7 |
| 4.97 | Yards/Att | 7.7 |
| 169 | Yards/Game | 277.5 |
| 3 | TD | 19 |
| 0 | INT | 5 |
Career Averages against Iowa State
| Category | Total Numbers | Per Game |
| Comp | 34 | 17 |
| Att | 55 | 27.5 |
| Comp % | 61.8 | 61.8 |
| Yards | 410 | 205 |
| YPA | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| TD-INT | 4-0 | 2-0 |
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