Game 8 Preview: Texas Longhorns vs. BYU Cougars

Texas Game 8 Preview

Texas got back in the win column last week with a close win over the Houston Cougars 31-24 to improve to 6-1. BYU is coming in off a win over Texas Tech in which they improved to 5-2 overall.

Texas Longhorns 6-1 (2-1 Big 12) vs. BYU Cougars 5-2 (2-2 Big 12)

Date: Saturday, October 28
Time:  3:30 p.m. EST
TV Channel: ABC
Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin TX
Line: Longhorns -17.5 / O/U: 50.5

2023 Season Stats

Texas:

2023 Record — 6-1 (2-1 in Big 12)
2023 Offense (Big 12 Rank) 
Total Yards: 3279 (5)
Passing Yards: 2023 (4)
Rushing Yards: 1256 (8)
2023 Defense (per game averages) 
Total Yards Allowed: 2332 (2)
Passing Yards Allowed: 1644 (5)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 688 (1)
2023 Cumulative Points Scored: 241 (4)
2023 Cumulative Points Allowed: 122 (2)
2023 Ranking: 7

BYU:

2023 Record —5-2 (2-2 in Big 12)
2023 Offense (Big 12 Rank) 
Total Yards: 2113 (14)
Passing Yards: 1558 (12)
Rushing Yards: 555 (14)
2023 Defense (per game averages) 
Total Yards Allowed: 2777 (9)
Passing Yards Allowed: 1725 (9)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 1052 (7)
2023 Cumulative Points Scored: 193 (11)
2023 Cumulative Points Allowed: 170 (5)
2023 Ranking: 46

Series History/ All-Time Records

All-time head-to-head record: BYU Leads 4-1-0
Current streak: BYU has won two straight
Last Texas win: 2011 (17-16)
Last BYU win: 2014 (41-7)

2023 Top Players

Texas Longhorns

Passing: Quinn Ewers- 151-213, 1915 yards, 13-3 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Jonathon Brooks – 128 ATT, 825 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving: Xavier Worthy – 40 REC, 545 YDS, 4 TD
Tackles: Jaylan Ford – 46 (21-25)
Sacks: Anthony Hill Jr. & Ethan Burke – 3.0
Interceptions: Jaylan Ford & Jerrin Thompson – 2

BYU

Passing: Kedon Slovis – 128-226, 1,519 YDS, 12-4 (TD-INT)
Rushing: LJ Martin –  96 ATT, 438 YDS, 4 TD
Receiving: Chase Roberts – 29 REC, 430 YDS, 4 TD
Tackles: Max Tooley – 50 (28-22)
Sacks: Tyler Batty – 3.5
Interceptions: Jakob Robinson – 4

Texas Players To Watch:

Offense: Running Back – Jonathon Brooks – Sophomore

Brooks will need to be relied upon heavily in this matchup, as the Longhorns offense will be without Quinn Ewers for a few weeks. Maalik Murphy is a reliable quarterback, but the BYU rush defense ranks seventh in the Big 12, and that needs to be attacked for the Longhorns to pick up a win. Brooks enters this matchup averaging 117.7 yards a game and has rushed for over 100 in four of the seven games this season; look for him to do that again this weekend.

Defense: Linebacker – Anthony Hill Jr. – Freshman

Hill has exploded onto the scene this season for the Texas defense, as he is tied for the team lead in sacks with three sacks and is third on the team in total tackles. He gets into the backfield and makes life challenging for opposing offenses, and he can also drop back in coverage if needed; look for him to try to make life challenging for Slovis this weekend.

Bottom Line: Texas looks to win second straight

The Longhorns will be without their starting quarterback for a few weeks, so the reigns will be handed over to Maalik Murphy, who this season has gone 4-8 for 47 yards. Last weekend, he went 1-2 for seven yards against Houston. The Longhorns should be able to pick up a win in this one heading into a big showdown against Kansas State next weekend.

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