#17 TCU vs. Texas: Stream, keys, and predictions

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after an interception in the first half against the USC Trojans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: Kris Boyd #2 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after an interception in the first half against the USC Trojans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 24: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 24: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Texas Keys To Victory

Efficient Ehlinger: A true sophomore quarterback with only 12 starts under his belt at the collegiate level. That is what the Texas offense has in Sam Ehlinger.

Over those 12 starts, Ehlinger has five losses to his name and in those losses, Ehlinger has thrown for six touchdowns and seven interceptions. On the other side of the spectrum, he has 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions in seven wins. Luckily for him, the TCU defense has just two interceptions in three games this season.

Winning On 3rd Down: This particular key comes mainly between the matchup of the Longhorns offense against the TCU defense. The Texas offense is a below average 76th in the country in offensive third down conversions. It was a big issue in the season opener against Maryland (3-15),  almost became an issue in a narrow win over Tulsa (5-12) and was a non-factor in the big win last week over USC (10-19).

Across from this in this game is a TCU defense that is 13th in the country in third down conversions allowed at just 25.5%. So it is pretty obvious that the Longhorns will have to generate conversions against one of the best third down defensive units in the entire country.