Texas snapshot: Players to watch, key matchup against Iowa State

By Steve Habel, Senior Contributing Writer

AUSTIN, Texas — The No. 19 Texas Longhorns will try to stay in the running for a chance to play for the Big 12 championship when they square off Saturday against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. CST.

The Longhorns (6-3 overall, 4-2 in Big 12 play), a team that struggles with pass defense, will have their hands full with the Cyclones. Iowa State’s passing offense is eighth in the nation with an average of 323.2 yards per game.

The Cyclones (5-4 overall, 3-3 in Big 12 play) have [s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] thrown for more than 300 yards in five of nine games and are on pace to break the Iowa State school record for passing yards per game (272.9 in 2017).

Here are a few of the players and matchups we are watching Saturday, which will go a long way in determining Texas’s postseason placement:

Players to watch
Quarterback Sam Ehlinger: The discussion about Texas and its offense has to begin with the team’s unquestioned leader. If Ehlinger plays well, the Longhorns can beat Iowa State; if not, then it could be a long afternoon (see the TCU game). Through nine games in 2019, Ehlinger has thrown for 24 touchdowns, and accounted for 3,042 total yards (2,641 passing, 401 rushing) and 29 touchdowns (24 passing, 5 rushing). His 29 touchdowns accounted for are equal to or better than 42 FBS schools’ team total for the season.

Right tackle Denzel Okafor: Okafor steps into the starting spot after a knee injury to right guard Junior Angilau forced Derek Kerstetter from tackle to guard. Okafor played in 12 games in 2017, starting four, before redshirting last season. “It’s not like it’s his first game ever,” senior center Zack Shackelford said. With Texas needing to run the ball to limit the touches for the powerful Iowa State offense, Okafor has got to do more than stand his ground.

Linebacker Joseph Ossai: Ossai is currently is one off the team lead with 60 total tackles this season (42 of them solo). He also has recorded seven tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one blocked kick, while also breaking up a pass and recording two sacks. He’ll have to be at his best as the Cyclones like to pass to their tight ends, a responsibility that will fall to him while the nickel back is covering the slot receiver. Expect a big game out of Ossai against Iowa State.

Safety Chris Brown: Back in the lineup after missing the past three games with a broken right forearm, Brown will add speed and physicality to the Longhorns’ secondary. “The guy flies around,” Texas coach Tom Herman said. “He’s physical as all get out. We’ll see, with a giant cast on your hand, if you can pick off any passes, or hopefully, he can find a way to wrap guys up tackling them.” Herman said Brown will play “quite a bit” on defense and “on a few special teams.”

Key matchup
The Texas defensive front six against the Iowa State offensive line. The Longhorns have to produce pressure to make Purdy uncomfortable in the pocket and then corral him if he tries to scramble away. Texas can not afford to get into a shootout against the Cyclones, who are much better than their record.

Wild card
The availability of wide receiver Collin Johnson, who Texas desperately needs in the attack. Johnson tweaked his hamstring against Kansas State and didn’t do a whole lot in practice this week, according to Herman. “He’ll travel and we’ll see how the next 44 hours play out. He will play if he can. He’s taken all the mental reps. He’s doing extra treatment and all that good stuff on the hamstring, but still a little sore from the injection that he got on Monday.”
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