NCAAF · 1 year ago

How Iowa State Can Upset Texas: 5 Keys to Victory

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Pressure Quinn Ewers
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is back in the lineup after a shoulder injury sidelined him for multiple weeks. Ewers is terrific but it was clear in the TCU game that Steve Sarkisian did not quite trust his quarterback to cut it loose. With Texas now without its top running back, Ewers will be asked to carry the offense and Iowa State cannot let him get comfortable in the pocket.
1. Protect Rocco Becht
This will be the biggest game of freshman quarterback Rocco Becht's career. Iowa State's offensive line has been outstanding in pass protection, allowing sacks on only 2.79% of pass attempts. Texas has a terrific defensive front but not an elite pass rush. The Cyclones will need to make sure Becht has a clean pocket all night and win the battle at the line of scrimmage.
2. Feed Abu Sama
The Texas Longhorns defense is allowing only three yards per carry this season, tenth best in the country but Abu Sama is a budding star and Iowa State needs to feed the electric freshman. He is averaging 6.59 yards per carry and is coming off of a two-touchdown performance against BYU. For the Cyclones to win, they'll need to lean on Sama and give him more carries than they have been.
3. Punch Texas Early
Texas has played in hostile environments and they have played in big games. Jack Trice Stadium will not be overwhelming for the Longhorns. It is supposed to be 41 degrees at kickoff and should get colder throughout the night. Iowa State needs to maximize the home field advantage by getting ahead early and forcing Texas to fight back.
4. Attack the Texas Secondary
The Texas Longhorns are great against the run but 90th in the country in opponent passing yards per game. Teams have had success against this secondary if they can protect the quarterback. Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Dimitri Stanley need to have big games to give the Cyclones the upset.
5. Pressure Quinn Ewers
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is back in the lineup after a shoulder injury sidelined him for multiple weeks. Ewers is terrific but it was clear in the TCU game that Steve Sarkisian did not quite trust his quarterback to cut it loose. With Texas now without its top running back, Ewers will be asked to carry the offense and Iowa State cannot let him get comfortable in the pocket.
1. Protect Rocco Becht
This will be the biggest game of freshman quarterback Rocco Becht's career. Iowa State's offensive line has been outstanding in pass protection, allowing sacks on only 2.79% of pass attempts. Texas has a terrific defensive front but not an elite pass rush. The Cyclones will need to make sure Becht has a clean pocket all night and win the battle at the line of scrimmage.

How Iowa State Can Upset Texas: 5 Keys to Victory

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