NoMoneyDown
11-06-2006, 10:23 AM
Line opened at Texas -17.5.
Besides Rice, Texas has had to play some pretty tough road games (Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas Tech), and came away with some near misses. Even in the OU game, the stats show the teams were virtually even in everything but final score. So, 17.5 points is a lot to be giving up on the road for Texas.
However, Kansas St. isn't Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Texas Tech. They are a notch (maybe two) lower in the "power" scale, IMHO. Against weaker defenses at home, they have done a pretty good job puttin points on the board. But when it comes to stiffer competition, they have sputtered (6pts vs. Louisville, 3pts vs. Nebraska). Their defense has been about middle-of-the-road. They managed to hold Louisville's high-octane offense to only 24 points at home, but also allowed Ok. St. and Nebraska about the same number (albeit, both were below their season average, tho).
Kansas St. Offense vs. Texas Defense
I figure Kansas St. won't be able to do much against Texas' defense. If Louisville held them to 6pts and Nebraska to 3pts, I really don't see the Wildcats getting more than 10 points (unless they have some fluke gifts). But I'll say they post 10 on the Longhorns to be conservative.
Texas Offense vs. Kansas St. Defense
This is where things become interesting. Can the Wildcats contain McCoy's arm (KSU's defense is giving up almost 200 YPG in the air)? How about Charles and Young (KSU's defense is giving up about 130 YPG on the ground)? I think Texas will probably have another good day - good, but probably not 45 or 50pt good. I'm thinking somewhere in the mid-to-upper 30's in scoring, maybe more. Something like 38?
Texas 38 (+28)
KSU 10
So I'm giving the 17.5 points and taking Texas on the road.
Besides Rice, Texas has had to play some pretty tough road games (Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas Tech), and came away with some near misses. Even in the OU game, the stats show the teams were virtually even in everything but final score. So, 17.5 points is a lot to be giving up on the road for Texas.
However, Kansas St. isn't Oklahoma, Nebraska, or Texas Tech. They are a notch (maybe two) lower in the "power" scale, IMHO. Against weaker defenses at home, they have done a pretty good job puttin points on the board. But when it comes to stiffer competition, they have sputtered (6pts vs. Louisville, 3pts vs. Nebraska). Their defense has been about middle-of-the-road. They managed to hold Louisville's high-octane offense to only 24 points at home, but also allowed Ok. St. and Nebraska about the same number (albeit, both were below their season average, tho).
Kansas St. Offense vs. Texas Defense
I figure Kansas St. won't be able to do much against Texas' defense. If Louisville held them to 6pts and Nebraska to 3pts, I really don't see the Wildcats getting more than 10 points (unless they have some fluke gifts). But I'll say they post 10 on the Longhorns to be conservative.
Texas Offense vs. Kansas St. Defense
This is where things become interesting. Can the Wildcats contain McCoy's arm (KSU's defense is giving up almost 200 YPG in the air)? How about Charles and Young (KSU's defense is giving up about 130 YPG on the ground)? I think Texas will probably have another good day - good, but probably not 45 or 50pt good. I'm thinking somewhere in the mid-to-upper 30's in scoring, maybe more. Something like 38?
Texas 38 (+28)
KSU 10
So I'm giving the 17.5 points and taking Texas on the road.