CRFF staff predictions: Oklahoma State at Texas

Oklahoma State begins Big 12 conference play Saturday against Texas at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin. The Cowboys (3-0) have won a record five consecutive games in the season series against the Longhorns (2-1) at DKR. Texas is a 5.5-point favorite and the over-under for total points scored is 73.

Micah Allen: 45-38 Texas

OSU’s defense isn’t up to the challenge. Combine that with a redshirt freshman quarterback in Spencer Sanders that’s going to be playing in his first Big 12 game is a sold out DKR and I don’t see a winning recipe. The Longhorns’ defensive line will be the toughest he’s seen and they’re gonna bring some pressure. If Tylan Wallace gets taken away, Sanders will struggle trying to find his other receivers.

Brandon Cain: 45-34 Texas

Texas put up 38 points against a tough LSU defense and the Longhorns only have one turnover — a fumble — all season. With a limited pass rush, it’s hard to see OSU slowing down Texas. The Longhorns will focus on Chuba Hubbard and force Sanders to beat their secondary, and Sanders won’t find success unless he goes through his read progressions and targets receivers other than Wallace and Dillon Stoner.

Of course, I’m always optimistic we’ll see a beautiful Piesman Trophy moment.

Matt Harris: 41-35 Texas

I originally had Texas 45-35, but I think this one will ultimately be closer than 10 points. Texas will be mostly in control throughout the game with a couple scares down the stretch before pulling away with the win. We could learn a lot about what this team will be this year. How the offense performs against perhaps the toughest defense it will face this season is the top thing to watch.

Ryan Harris: 48-38 Texas

Oklahoma State could win this game, but it is much more likely that Texas wins. Texas has always had the athletes on its side, but there are expectations for the first time in a decade. The Texas defense will do its best to shut down Hubbard and make Sanders beat them. I would love nothing more than to see an OSU win, but I think Texas holds it together just long enough to get a win.

Phillip Slavin: 41-38 Texas

Let me first say, I wrote this after Joel and I made our predictions on the podcast. I could have gone back and listened and copied that score to put in here. But I’m lazy. So I’m not going to do that. This one might be different, but the point is the same; back-and-forth game that more resembles Bedlam than what you would normally think of in this match-up. I’m getting a “Texas scores a game winner” vibe here that I just can’t shake. On the plus side, Oklahoma State covers. Yay!

Robert Whetsell: 48-24 Texas

This is the year Texas breaks the streak. We’re gonna get lathered up because that is the only way I can mentally deal with this pre-game. If I get all worked up that we can win I’m going to be ultra ill when we don’t, so it’s much better if I prepare myself for devastation and then it’s not that bad so I don’t feel as distraught. Besides, I felt like we would get lathered up last season and look what happened... so leave me alone kids.