The Texas Longhorns are playing catchup in the Big 12 standings, but they are within striking distance off the Baylor Bears — a team they’ll be facing late in the season. Before they think of that, though, the Longhorns will have to deal with the TCU Horned Frogs, who may be losing of late, but are a dangerous team to face nevertheless. The sportsbook predicts a close one, favoring the Longhorns by just 1.5-points.
Betting on the Texas Longhorns (5-2 Overall / 3-1Conference)
The Longhorns survived an upset-seeking Kansas Jayhawks team over the weekend, and in the process, prevented a two-game skid with a 50-48 home win. In such a close win against an unranked opponent, Sam Ehlinger’s value to the Longhorns became very much visible. Ehlinger passed for 399 yard and four touchdowns against an interception on 31-of-44 completions. He also rushed for 91 yards on 14 carries. Ehlinger did everything he can to keep the Longhorns’ head above water, as Texas’ defense just couldn’t get the job done on the other side of the ball. The Longhorns’ defense has been a problem for the team this season, but the close call to the Jayhawks could also motivate Texas’ stop unit into getting their acts straighter going forward. So long as the Longhorns have Ehlinger, they will be competitive. Their losses to the LSU Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners were only by a combined total of 14 points.
The Longhorns are 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the TCU Horned Frogs (3-3 Overall / 1-2 Conference)
The Horned Frogs suffered their first back-to-back losses of the season when they got victimized by the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan last Saturday in a 24-17 loss. The Horned Frogs were in it to win the game but couldn’t stop Kansas State from putting together a late-game touchdown drive that broke a 17-17 tie. Although they are going to face next a ranked opponent in the form of Texas, an unfavorable matchup for a team looking to break a skid, the Longhorns’ defense gives the Horned Frogs hope. The Horned Frogs should be looking to run the ball as much as they can against Texas’ defense that surrendered 259 rushing yards and two rushing scores to the Jayhawks last Saturday. Against Kansas State, the Horned Frogs burned rubber for 228 rushing yards and a couple of rushing scores. TCU entered Week 8 of the 2019 NCAAF season eighth nationally with 247.4 rushing yards per game.
