Predicting Texas’ final five games of the regular season
Over halfway through Steve Sarkisian’s first season and it’s obvious there is some work to be done. Two consecutive losses to the Oklahoma schools have sucked the momentum out of Austin.
There’s still time to regroup and finish the year off on a positive note. During the preseason when looking at the schedule, this would have been considered the lighter side of the bye.
Where it becomes tough is three games on the road in the final five. Baylor, Iowa State, and West Virginia will all host Texas, while Kansas and Kansas State will travel to Austin.
Sarkisian said after losing the Red River Shootout loss, getting to the Big 12 championship was the ultimate goal. To make that happen, a perfect 5-0 is going to be needed. And then a little help from elsewhere.
Texas will take the mindset of taking care of their own business first before wondering about postseason implications.
Here are predictions for Texas’ final five games of the regular season.
at Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Just like Texas, Baylor will be coming off a bye week. Dave Aranda has completely turned around the program in Year 2, having the Bears ranked for the first time since the end of the 2019 season.
Running the ball was not the strong suit in Waco last year, finishing dead last in the conference. BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes was brought in and has changed everything, averaging 238 rushing yards per game.
Pete Kwiatkowski has two weeks to figure out his run defense. Otherwise, more of what happened late against Oklahoma State will occur in Waco. The same goes for Steve Sarkisian and the fourth-quarter offense.
If a loss occurs in the same way, there is real trouble.
Prediction: Win
at Iowa State
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
The only bigger disappointment so far in the Big 12 is Iowa State. College Football Playoff whispers were sweeping around the country as most of their Big 12 championship appearance roster was returning.
However, this is still the most losable game remaining on the schedule. Breece Hall is an elite running back and Brock Purdy has been putting up good numbers. The Cyclone defense has only allowed more than 20 points twice. Texas is going to struggle with a hostile environment in Ames.
Prediction: Loss
Kansas
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Not much to say here. Kansas is still the same Kansas we all know and love. Their scoring defense is second to last in the country, giving up 43.3 points per game. Texas will have a field day at home.
Get back to me when these two meet on the hardwood.
Prediction: Win
at West Virginia
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
West Virginia was one of the games I circled on the calendar at the beginning of the year as a sneaky one. Morgantown is not an easy place to play and there were some quiet expectations, especially on the defensive side.
Nothing has gone to plan and the Mountaineers find themselves as one of three winless Big 12 teams. This is one where Texas has to win, no matter the circumstances.
Prediction: Win
Kansas State
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
For the second consecutive season, Kansas State is going to be the regular-season finale for Texas. This time, it will be at home, the Friday after Thanksgiving.
At the moment, the Wildcats are on a three-game losing streak. But looking at those opponents (Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State), those are some of the better teams in the conference. There is plenty of time to rebound.
Texas will be able to spend the holiday at home, ready to roll for the 11 a.m. kickoff. Ending the season on a high note before heading into an important recruiting stretch will be important for Sarkisian.
Prediction: Win
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