Kansas State vs. Texas Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Maalik Murphy Develop As the Longhorns' Quarterback?
Kansas State vs. Texas Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Maalik Murphy Develop As the Longhorns' Quarterback?
The Kansas State Wildcats will take their three-game winning streak to Texas for a battle against the Longhorns in a Big 12 Top-25 matchup on Saturday.
The Wildcats earned a 41-0 win over Houston last weekend and added a 41-3 win over TCU on the weekend before. Both of those games were at home. But now they'll be on the road against the Longhorns.
Texas lost Quinn Ewers for a few games due to an AC sprain. However, Maalik Murphy looked solid in Texas' win against BYU, 35-6.
Both teams have won four of their last five games. Who has the advantage in this week's game?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's Big 12 matchup between the Kansas State Wildcats vs. Texas Longhorns.
Kansas State vs. Texas Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch
- Date:Â November 4, 2023
- Game Time:Â 12:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch:Â FOX
Kansas State vs. Texas Odds
- Spread: Kansas State -5 (-110), Texas +5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Over 51.5 (-110), Under 51.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Kansas State (+180), Texas (-215)
Kansas State vs. Texas Injury Report
Kansas State
Questionable: WR Keagan Johnson (Undisclosed)
Texas
Out: DL Kristopher Ross (Undisclosed), QB Quinn Ewers (Shoulder)
Kansas State vs. Texas Prediction
The Longhorns won't have Quinn Ewers available for this game against Kansas State.
That's a lot of offense lost. Ewers has thrown for 1,915 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He's also led the Longhorns to a one-loss start throughout the year.
But against BYU, it was redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy getting the call. He wasn't asked to throw a whole bunch. However, he still added 170 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception.
Meanwhile, the run game added 35 carries for 184 yards, earning 5.3 yards per carry.
If anything, Texas should have more success on the ground against Kansas State. The Wildcats have allowed 109.4 yards per game on the ground. But they've got a really good secondary and a defense that has struggled to wrap up tackles this season.
Murphy also won't be rushed. The Kansas State pass rush has been average at best. Murphy will stand in the pocket and make throws, and if patient, should be fine.
On the other hand, Kansas State has earned 464.6 yards per game. The offense has gained over 225 yards on the ground and nearly 240 yards in the air behind Will Howard at quarterback.
Howard has thrown seven interceptions. However, he's still got a QBR of 75.7, which is the 20th best in college football.
The Longhorns are betting against the run, allowing only 97.9 yards per game. Therefore, we can expect Howard to have a bigger day throwing the football. He's thrown 39 receptions to his favorite receiver in Phillip Brooks, who has averaged 11.2 yards per catch this season.
Look for that connection to continue to be strong on Saturday. On the other hand, no Ewers, no problem for Texas.
Let's take the Over 51.5 in this Big 12 matchup.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Texas Longhorns Pick
- PICK: Over 51.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.