No. 18 Iowa State visits No. 13 Texas in key Big 12 game
No. 18 Iowa State (6-3, 5-2 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) at No. 13 Texas (7-3, 5-2, No. 15 CFP), 8 p.m. EST (Longhorn Network)
Line: Texas by 3.
Series record: Texas leads 13-2
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Both teams are fighting for second-place in the Big 12 and a chance to slip into the conference championship game. Both need help to get there and neither can realistically afford to lose. Texas is seeking its eighth win, a mark it hasn't reached since 2013.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas DE Charles Omenihu against Iowa State QB Brock Purdy. Purdy is mobile and will present all kinds of run-option plays Texas must defend. Omenihu has to pressure Purdy in the pocket and keep him contained and turned inside when he wants to run. Purdy's decision making without RB David Montgomery (suspended in the first half) as an option or extra help in pass protection will be key.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Iowa State: WR Hakeem Butler is a big playmaker. The 6-foot-5 Butler leads the nation with 22.7 yards a catch and has eight grabs of 40 yards or longer. He'll be facing a banged up Texas secondary that has been shredded in recent weeks.
Texas: Lil'Jordan Humphrey is the Longhorns' version of the big-body playmaker. He leads Texas with 63 catches for 947 yards and grabbed the winning touchdown with 20 seconds left to beat Texas Tech last week.
FACTS & FIGURES
Iowa State has won three straight against ranked opponents on the road and is 8-4 in its last 12 game away from Jack Trice Stadium ... Texas QB Sam Ehlinger's passing numbers get more impressive each week. Perhaps most important is his Big 12-record 280 attempts without an interception ... Last home game for 26 Texas seniors, who have never won more than seven games in a season ... The first meeting with both teams ranked since 2002.
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