No. 20 Texas hosts No. 15 Iowa State in a crucial Big 12 matchup on Nov. 27.
Whichever team wins this particular game will be the favorite to head to the Big 12 Championship game on Dec. 19. There’s currently a close four-team race for the conference title between Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State and Iowa State.
It’s not unusual for chaos to ensue in the Big 12, but these next few weeks will certainly be exciting to watch. It goes without being said that this weeks matchup is a must-win game for both sides.
It also appears to be a battle of the head coaches. If Matt Campbell is able to pull this off, he’ll likely become one of the hottest names on the coaching carousel this offseason. If Tom Herman drops another game and fails to compete in the Big 12 Championship game, his future in Austin will be uncertain.
Do you feel confident in Texas at home after nearly three weeks of rest? Is Iowa State the real deal this season? Let’s take a look at who the experts are predicting to be victorious on Friday.
247Sports Predictions
Hummer: No clue what happens with this one. Guessing which Texas will show up each week is a maddening proposition. I will say this: Tom Herman is an excellent coach coming off an open week with a 7-1 record in his Longhorn career. If this game was in Ames I might feel differently, but I think the Longhorns do enough to come away with a win. A sneaky good Texas run defense, ranking 16th nationally in yards allowed per rush, makes the difference against superstar Cyclone running back Breece Hall.
Texas 27, Iowa State 24
Crawford: There’s something about this Iowa State team that I like, but I’m not sure what it is. Given the Longhorns’ unpredictability in big games, this one feels like a matchup Tom Herman could lose at home. I’m taking the small upset here and going with the Cyclones.
Iowa State 31, Texas 30
Bleacher Report Predictions
Kerry Miller: If this game was played on a Saturday full of games with College Football Playoff implications, it would probably, unfortunately, get lost in the shuffle. But as the no-doubt-about-it marquee game of the early-Friday slate, this Big 12 showdown is going to get the national attention it deserves.
Iowa State just annihilated Kansas State, 45-0, behind yet another stellar performance from the nation’s leading running back, Breece Hall. Coupled with Oklahoma State’s loss to Oklahoma, that put the Cyclones in sole possession of first place in the Big 12 standings. But if Texas can win this home game, there will be a four-way tie in the loss column atop the conference.
Conversely, if Texas loses the game, the subsequent “Fire Tom Herman!” fallout will be swift and fierce. But I think the Longhorns will eke out the victory.
Texas 31, Iowa State 28
College Football News Predictions
Patrick Conn, Longhorns Wire: Texas
Jeff Feyerer, Fighting Irish Wire: Texas
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Texas
Dan Harralson, Vols Wire: Iowa State
Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire: Iowa State
Jeremy Mauss, MW Wire: Texas
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN: Iowa State
Kegan Reneau, Sooners Wire: Iowa State
Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire: Texas
Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire: Texas
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners: Texas
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners: Texas
Brian Stultz, Auburn Wire: Texas
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Texas