Texas A&M Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns Prediction: November 25th 2010

November 25, 2010 By

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns
Prediction: Under 48 points
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The Longhorns’ disappointing season has been the result of a weak offense that is averaging just 24.4 points per game and only 5.3 yards per play (versus opponents that allow 27.8 ppg and 5.6 yppl). Texas did take advantage of a bad Florida Atlantic squad last week in an easy 51-17 home win, but overall Texas has still averaged just 19.6 points per game in conference play this season. The Longhorns must now face a strong Texas A&M defense that is permitting just 20.6 points per game and only 4.7 yards per play this season (versus opponents that average 29.6 ppg and 5.8 yppl).

Texas A&M is a solid offensive team, but they will likely struggle against a strong Texas defense that is permitting just 23.6 points per game this season and only 4.5 yards per play (versus opponents that average 28.9 ppg and 5.6 yppl). Texas A&M is also coming off an extremely low-scoring 9-6 win versus Nebraska last week, and it’s unlikely they can all of a sudden turn on their offense on the road, especially against a stout Texas defense. -Steve Merril (Handicapperspicks.com)

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Texas Longhorns vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick: October 16th 2010

October 15, 2010 By

Texas Longhorns vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Pick: Texas Longhorns +10
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How bad is Texas right now? Not that bad actually. The Longhorns have dropped two straight games against UCLA and Oklahoma and while those appear as losses on the slate, they were not that bad. Texas outgained both opponents and it is guilty of just one bad half, the second half against UCLA, which hurt it. We are dealing with a Texas team that is still Texas in that it has the players and coaches that compete. The Longhorns have not dropped three straight regular season games since 1997.

We won with Nebraska last Thursday over Kansas St. and while we switched gears with the Wildcats on Thursday after that bad performance, we will switch gears with the Huskers after their good performance. This is the biggest game for Nebraska in quite some time and it pales in comparison to last year’s Big XII Championship where the Huskers got the shaft. They will be out for revenge but going from a 14-point underdog to a 10-point favorite in this matchup in a span of just seven games is too aggressive.

The key to this game is the Texas defense. The Longhorns obviously need to slow down the Nebraska offense and with two weeks to prepare, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will have his unit ready. Nebraska looked like the old Nebraska last week at Kansas St. as the Huskers ran up and down the field like it was playing a scrimmage. The situation is not the same this week as Texas has speed on defense and we cannot forget that this unit is ranked sixth in the nation in total defense and 19th in rushing defense.

On the other side, the Longhorns need to be efficient on offense and that starts with quarterback Garrett Gilbert. The running game is not up to Texas standards this season so handing the ball off is not going to work. Gilbert will need to manage the game out of the shotgun and take some chances. Gilbert has taken a backseat in this quarterback matchup yet he is the one with big-game experience as he nearly led the Longhorns back from an insurmountable deficit against Alabama in the BCS Championship.

While Nebraska has no doubt improved, the Longhorns have not fallen that far and the two-game losing streak helps us here as it provides both motivation and line value. This game is about respect and Texas is getting none. It is a 24-point swing from last season and while both teams have done a flip-flop, the flop has not been that big to constitute a more than three-touchdown swing. I guarantee that the no-respect card will be played before this one kicks off.

The Longhorns fall into a great contrarian situation here. Play on underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points after one or more straight losses going up against an opponent after four or more straight up wins. This situation is 83-33 ATS (71.3 percent) over the last 10 seasons. Texas has been an underdog of 6.5 points or more only three since 2005 and it won two of those games outright while covering all three. Nebraska has yet to be challenged this season until now. 3* Texas Longhorns -Matt Fargo

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Texas Longhorns vs. Rice Owls Prediction & Odds: September 4th 2010

September 4, 2010 By

If you’re looking for the best football game line analysis on the internet, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re taking a look at Saturday’s crucial tilt for the Texas Longhorns, as they look to get off on the right foot with a beat down of the Rice Owls.
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Texas Longhorns vs. Rice Owls
Game Date/Time: Saturday, September 4th, 3:30 ET
Game Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
TV/Radio Broadcast: ESPN, ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile TV, Sirius

NCAA Football Odds: Texas Longhorns (-31) -110 vs. Rice Owls (+31) -110: Over/Under 57

Garrett Gilbert is going to be thrilled that this isn’t the Alabama defense that he is about to run up against. No one should have to be thrown into the fire like Gilbert was last season, as he was given the task of replacing Colt McCoy in the BCS Championship Game against one of the most vaunted defenses that has ever stepped on the field in college football.

Gilbert at least led the Horns on two TD drives, but he also threw four picks and really didn’t leave Texas with much of a chance to claim glory.

Now, the sophomore moves forward, knowing that this team is his for the next three seasons now that McCoy has departed and is playing for the Cleveland Browns.

The question this year will be the defense, and whether names like Sam Acho can figure out how to step up and replace departures such as Earl Thomas and Sergio Kindle, both of which were first round selections in the NFL Draft this year.

For Rice, the good news is that 18 starters return. The bad news is that it only went 2-10 on the season. The Owls have three quarterbacks to choose from, and all three might see time at Reliant Stadium on Saturday. The only scary prospect for the Longhorns is that a starting quarterback has not been named yet for the Owls.

The Owls are still going to need to work on their defense in a big way. They allowed at least 40 points seven times last season, including allowing 63 to Navy and 73 to Houston. Obviously, a number like that being hung by the Longhorns won’t lead to a cover of any sort for an offense that didn’t crack 24 points for the first time last year until November 7th.

NCAA Football Insider Tip: The Longhorns are a stellar 8-2 ATS in their L/10 games against Conference USA foes, while Rice is just 1-7 ATS in its L/8 against the Big XII.

Much of that history between these teams has been one way traffic. Dating back to 2003, the Longhorns have stomped the Owls by the aggregate score of 296-61, or an average final of 49-10. That sounds about right for this one.

Hook ‘em Horns snag the impressive win against the football game line on Saturday.

My NCAA Football Predictions: Texas Longhorns (-31) -110
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