Texas vs. TCU Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Maalik Murphy, Longhorns Put Up Points?
Texas travels to Fort Worth to take on TCU this Saturday night. Can Maalik Murphy and the Longhorns put up points? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay breaks down the Texas vs. TCU game.
Matt MacKay - November 6, 2023, 11:59 AM EST
5 minTexas vs. TCU Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Maalik Murphy, Longhorns Put Up Points?
Two teams from the Lone Star State will compete in Week 11 as the Texas Longhorns travel up to Fort Worth to take on the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Texas has been winning games despite the absence of Quinn Ewers, who suffered a shoulder injury a few weeks ago and remains sidelined. The Longhorns' defense has been the reason its continued to win games, although this came close to ending in a 33-30 overtime win at home over Kansas State in Week 10.
TCU lost QB1 Chandler Morris with a knee injury in mid-October and its essentially derailed the Horned Frogs' entire season. TCU, after making it to the National Championship game against Georgia a year ago under head coach Sonny Dykes, has lost four of its past five games outright, scoring under 30 points in all four losses. Texas' defense, which is allowing just 17.6 points per game, ranked 17th in the nation, is a tall task for the Horned Frogs to handle, even playing at home with a supportive fanbase.
NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his latest prediction and pick for Texas vs. TCU in Week 11.
Texas vs. TCU Date, Time, And Where To Watch
- Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
Texas vs. TCU Odds
- Spread: Texas -10 (-110), TCU +10 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under 53.5 (-110), Over 53.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Texas (-385), TCU (+290)
Texas vs. TCU Injury Report
Texas
Questionable: DB Jalen Catalon (Undisclosed)
Out: DL Kristopher Ross (Undisclosed), QB Quinn Ewers (Shoulder)
TCU
Questionable: WR Jack Bech (Undisclosed), WR Warren Thompson (Undisclosed), TE Chase Curtis (Undisclosed), WR Dylan Wright (Undisclosed)
Out: QB Chandler Morris (Knee)
Texas vs. TCU Prediction
In 2022, during TCU's epic run to its first College Football Playoff, the Horned Frogs went into Austin and beat the Longhorns 17-10 in a low-scoring, defensive battle. Don't expect a repeat scenario in 2023. Even without Ewers under center, Texas has been moving the ball efficiently with Maalik Murphy taking over. He's definitely a downgrade but the surrounding personnel on offense, paired with the Longhorns' stout defensive edge, gives Murphy room to make some bad throws and decisions.
The same cannot be said for TCU, who has now turned to Josh Hoover as its QB1. Hoover's last outing resulted in over 350 passing yards and a 61 percent completion percentage, however, he threw more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one) and it cost the Horned Frogs the game. TCU running back Emani Bailey will need to be productive early to counter the relentless disruption that the Longhorns bring defensively.
Texas has held three straight opponents without a rushing touchdown, which will force Hoover to attempt another 45-55 passes on Saturday night. There could be a route to an upset for TCU if Hoover plays mistake-free football, eliminating miscues. Yet the Horned Frogs have committed nine turnovers in their past four games on offense, while Texas has forced at least two defensive turnovers in three consecutive matchups.
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has turned to his ground game to sustain drives and keep opponents at bay, which will likely be the recipe once again on the road against TCU. Jonathan Brooks and CJ Baxter form a nice tandem in Texas' backfield, going up against the Horned Frogs' defense, which allowed Iowa State and Kansas State to average at least 5.8 YPC with a combined 558 rushing yards.
Let's stake a unit on under 53.5 total points, as Texas has cashed unders in six of their nine games played this season. A smothering Longhorns defense, plus two back-up quarterbacks, equals a low-scoring affair in Fort Worth on Saturday night.
Texas vs. TCU Pick
- Under 53.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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