Texas @ Iowa State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Iowa State 28, Texas 21

THE STORY: Texas’ 28-21 home loss to Iowa State in 2010 was perhaps rock bottom in the Longhorns’ worst season in more than 10 years. It was the Cyclones’ firs win against Texas, which leads the all-time series 7-1. Iowa State is 3-0 for the first time since 2005, including a pair of surprising victories over Iowa and Connecticut. The Cyclones have trailed in the fourth quarter in all three games. No. 17 Texas, meanwhile, is 3-0 for the ninth time in coach Mack Brown’s 14 seasons after an impressive 49-20 victory at UCLA two weeks ago.

TV: FX. LINE: Texas -9.5

ABOUT TEXAS (3-0, 0-0 Big 12): Mack Brown finally ended his quarterback controversy by benching incumbent starter Garrett Gilbert before the game against the Bruins, and it paid off. Sophomore Case McCoy was efficient, passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on only 15 attempts, and he also gave fans flashbacks of his older brother, Colt, by shifting and maneuvering around in the pocket to make pinpoint passes while on the run. The Longhorns’ main strengths this year are their running game (226 yards per game) and their defense, which ranks 11th in the country at 258 yards allowed per game.

ABOUT IOWA STATE (3-0, 0-0): Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads campaigned on behalf of his team earlier this week, suggesting the Cyclones were good enough to be considered a Top 25 team in the country. Rest assured if they can beat Texas, they’ll jump into the rankings for the first time since 2005. The Cyclones have gotten strong play from quarterback Steele Jantz, who has admirably replaced previous starter Austen Arnaud. Jantz has thrown for six touchdowns and rushed for two more to lead a Cyclones' offense which is averaging 29.3 points. Iowa State is seeking its first 4-0 start since 2000.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas has won seven of its last eight true road games in the Big 12 and is 3-0 all-time in Ames.

2. Iowa State is 4-11 all-time in Big 12 openers.

3. The Cyclones are 13-1 under Rhoads when holding opponents to less than 24 points, and 2-12 when allowing 24 or more.

PREDICTION: Texas 31, Iowa State 14 - While the Cyclones’ have had a nice start to the season, they haven’t faced a defense of the Longhorns’ caliber.