NCAAF · 1 year ago

How Texas Can Beat Iowa State: 5 Keys To Victory

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Handle the Atmosphere
The Texas Longhorns have played in big environments so Jack Trice Stadium at night will not be overwhelming. They will need to contend with the weather though. It is expected to be an uncomfortable 41 degrees at kickoff and colder during the game. Texas players need to be mentally prepared for a cold and uncomfortable environment and match the energy of the Iowa State Cyclones and their crowd.
1. Get CJ Baxter Comfortable as RB1
Star running back Jonathon Brooks is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Texas Longhorns offense must now rely on freshman CJ Baxter and sophomore Jaydon Blue to run the ball and keep the offense balanced. Iowa State is 40th in the country against the run (3.8 yards per attempt allowed) but Texas will need to do better than that and it's up to Steve Sarkisian to figure out how to get the talented Baxter in rhythm.
2. Trust Quinn Ewers
Quinn Ewers returned to the lineup last weekend at TCU after missing multiple weeks with a shoulder injury. The Longhorns were very conservative on offense and did not allow Ewers to test the Horned Frogs defense. While they escaped Fort Worth with a win, they'll need to be more aggressive on offense on Saturday in Ames. Ewers has proven he is capable of leading the offense and with Brooks injured, Sarkisian needs to trust him to get the job done.
3. Pressure Rocco Becht
This is the biggest game of freshman quarterback Rocco Becht's young career. Iowa State is allowing sacks on only 2.79% of pass attempts, the fourth-best mark in the country. The Texas Longhorns have one of the nation's best defensive fronts and are sacking opposing quarterbacks 2.5 times per game. Texas does not have elite secondary so they'll need to pressure Becht to help out the corners.
4. Stop Abu Sama
The Texas Longhorns are surrendering only three yards per carry, good for tenth best in the country in rushing defense. Iowa State does not have great rushing numbers but they do have a budding star in freshman running back Abu Sama. He has emerged in the past few games and is averaging 6.59 yards per carry. Sama provides a burst the Cyclones have been lacking and he ran for two scores against BYU last week. Texas needs to prevent Sama's big plays.
5. Handle the Atmosphere
The Texas Longhorns have played in big environments so Jack Trice Stadium at night will not be overwhelming. They will need to contend with the weather though. It is expected to be an uncomfortable 41 degrees at kickoff and colder during the game. Texas players need to be mentally prepared for a cold and uncomfortable environment and match the energy of the Iowa State Cyclones and their crowd.
1. Get CJ Baxter Comfortable as RB1
Star running back Jonathon Brooks is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Texas Longhorns offense must now rely on freshman CJ Baxter and sophomore Jaydon Blue to run the ball and keep the offense balanced. Iowa State is 40th in the country against the run (3.8 yards per attempt allowed) but Texas will need to do better than that and it's up to Steve Sarkisian to figure out how to get the talented Baxter in rhythm.

How Texas Can Beat Iowa State: 5 Keys To Victory

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