A look at this weekend's top matchups in the Big 12.
GAME OF THE WEEK: LSU at Texas
When: 7 p.m. CDT Saturday Where: DKR Memorial Stadium, Austin TV: ABC
KEYS FOR TEXAS
Start fast: The atmosphere in Austin should be rocking with ESPN GameDay in town for a showdown between two top-10 teams. Texas needs to utilize that energy and keep the crowd involved throughout the four quarters. A quick touchdown. A turnover. Something. A quick deficit puts this game squarely on the LSU offense, which is exactly what Texas wants on Saturday night. The Longhorns did a great job starting quickly in the Week 1 win over Louisiana Tech. A similar first half puts Texas in position for its biggest win under Tom Herman.
Run the football: The lone question mark for the Longhorns is at running back, and it is a matter of depth. The Longhorns sport a solid one-two combination in the run game with running back Keaontay Ingram and quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who will be unleashed against LSU. Freshman Jordan Whittington was limited against Louisiana Tech. If that remains true against LSU, the depth behind Ingram becomes questionable. The Longhorns need to run the football to win the game, and that could take herculean efforts from Ingram and Ehlinger if no one else is ready.
KEYS FOR LSU
Stick to the script: LSU head coach Ed Orgeron brought in passing game coordinator Joe Brady to help the Tigers win these types of games. LSU simply can’t line up and be conservative against teams of similar talent levels. This is the first test for Orgeron to trust that new offensive scheme, even if it doesn’t work early. LSU can’t panic and revert back to its convservative ways against a Texas team capable of scoring points. LSU needs to trust the game plan for 60 minutes. Quarterback Joe Burrow is capable of leading this team on the road.
No mistakes: Road teams must play clean games to win games. It’s a simple, but true, saying in football. LSU can’t help Texas on Saturday because the Longhorns should be plenty motivated for the biggest game in Austin since Colt McCoy left campus. LSU can’t turn the ball over or commit a bunch of dumb penalties and expect to remain undefeated.
PREDICTION
Texas 31, LSU 28: The Longhorns hold significant advantages in this contest. Texas’ offense is in its third year under the same coaching staff, while LSU is still figuring out the identify of the program with a change in offensive philosophy. Those things matter in big games. Texas’ trust in the schemes, and an excellent kicker, helps the Longhorns beat another SEC power.
BEST OF THE REST
West Virginia at Missouri
When: 11 a.m. CDT Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium, Columbia (Mo.)
TV: ESPN 2
Notes: The Big 12’s newest member faces off with one of the conference’s ex-programs as the Mountaineers hope to impress under first year head coach Dan Brown. West Virginia struggled to a win in Week 1 against James Madison. Texas native and Oklahoma transfer Austin Kendall threw two touchdown passes in his debut for West Virginia.
UTSA at Baylor
When: 3 p.m. CDT Saturday
Where: McLane Stadium, Waco
TV: Fox Sports (regional)
Notes: This game became interesting after an impressive Week 1 performance by UTSA and quarterback Frank Harris, who accounted for 300 total yards in his college debut. UTSA went to Waco and beat the Bears in Matt Rhule’s first season. This is a chance for Baylor to show the current evolution of the program in year three under Rhule. Quarterback Charlie Brewer threw for three touchdowns last week.
UTEP at Texas Tech
When: 7 p.m. CDT Saturday
Where: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock
TV: Fox Sports Network (regional)
Notes: The competition level increases a tad in Week 2 for Matt Wells and the Red Raiders after a comfortable Week 1 win over Montana State. Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman passed for 436 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense limited its opponent to just 10 points. UTEP scraped past Houston Baptist last week.