There’s not a hotter team in college football right now than than the Iowa State Cyclones. They have rattled off five straight conference victories, including two over ranked opponents. Fresh off a narrow win over Texas Tech, a banged-up Texas squad will try and keep their Big 12 championship hopes alive with a win. 

Here's what the Longhorns need to do to win the final home game of the year. 

Texas vs. Iowa State details

Date: Nov. 17, 2018

Location: Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas

What channel is Texas vs. Iowa State on?

Texas vs. Iowa State will be broadcast on Longhorn Network. It can also be streamed live on Watch ESPN.

How can I buy tickets to Texas vs. Iowa State?

Click here to buy tickets to the Texas vs. Iowa State game at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin.

Texas vs. Iowa State preview

Big play offense

There are not many holes in this Iowa State defense. In fact, very few teams have found a formula of how to consistently score against them.

Texas Tech and Oklahoma State’s offenses each had big games against the Cyclones (in losses), but Will Grier and West Virginia’s high-flying attack was shut down. The difference was that Texas Tech and Oklahoma State were able to come up with some chunk-yardage plays and long touchdowns.

It isn’t easy to grind out long drives against Iowa State. They are rock solid at the line of scrimmage and rally to the football well. But at times, they have been susceptible to the big play.

Sam Ehlinger and the Texas offense has been no stranger to this concept, particularly in recent weeks. The Longhorns had five plays of 20 yards or more in the win last week over Tech, several of them coming at pivotal points in the game. Ehlinger's deep ball accuracy has improved dramatically in recent weeks. The Longhorns need plenty of those chunk plays to break a stout Cyclone defense. 

Ehlinger in the run game

The best version of the Texas offense is one in which Ehlinger is a major facet of the run game. We saw it against Oklahoma, where he rumbled for 72 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. There were plays where everybody in the stadium knew Ehlinger was getting the carry, but the sophomore was still able to make plays. The Longhorns scored 48 in their signature win of the season. 

Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray was productive on the ground against the Cyclones earlier this year, as he ran for 92 yards and hung 37 points on that defense in Ames. Last week, Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer led the Bears with 72 yards on the ground. Baylor lost because they were unable to finish drives and after losing Brewer to ejection in the fourth quarter. 

Ehlinger has not been a big player in the run game since his injury against Baylor. Now four weeks removed, it’s time to reinsert that wrinkle of the offense.

Take advantage of first half

Texas has been notoriously slow out of the gates this year. Opponents have scored first in seven of the 10 games thus far. This week, however, the Longhorns have an advantage.

Star Iowa State running back David Montgomery is suspended for the first half for his involvement in a fight last week against Baylor. Freshman quarterback Brock Purdy has played lights out since his first start five weeks ago, but he will be leaned upon in that first half on Saturday.

Texas must exploit the lack of Montgomery’s presence in the first half. Purdy has been outstanding against great competition. However, the largest deficit he’s faced has been 10 points, and that was early in the second quarter against a porous Texas Tech defense. If Texas jumps out to an early lead and keeps Purdy uncomfortable, they will eliminate Montgomery’s use once he returns in the second half. They will need to force Purdy to crawl back from a deficit with his arm, something he has yet to accomplish in his young career.