SP+ Predicts BYU vs No. 7 Texas

After a win over Texas Tech, BYU travels to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns. The Cougars are 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play. Texas, coming off a win over Houston, is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play. SP+, a predictive algorithm created by ESPN's Bill Connelly, cemented its prediction for BYU-Texas earlier this week.

SP+ gives BYU a 12% chance to pull off the upset against Texas with an expected final score of 37-17. SP+ is higher on BYU's chances than the ESPN FPI algorithm. FPI gives BYU a 5% chance to beat the Red Raiders.

Questions at Quarterback for Texas

Last Saturday Saturday, Texas escaped Houston with a 31-24 victory. The win came at a cost, however, as star quarterback Quinn Ewers left the game with a shoulder injury. At the end of the game, Ewers was seen on the sideline with a sling supporting his throwing shoulder. His status for the upcoming game against BYU has not been officially announced, but ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Ewers will be sidelined for multiple weeks with a shoulder injury.

Ewers absence will impact BYU's upcoming game at Texas. Ewers has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the conference this season with 1,915 yards and 13 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. Texas is inexperienced at quarterback behind Ewers. Redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy won the backup job during Spring ball and Arch Manning has taken reps in practice as well. It was Murphy that came off the bench against Houston, making him the likely starter if Ewers can't go.

In four games played this season, Murphy is 4/8 for 47 yards passing. Those eight pass attempts are the only pass attempts of his collegiate career. Like most players on the Texas roster, Murphy was a coveted recruit coming out of high school. Murphy was a four-star recruit and he picked the Longhorns over competing offers from the biggest schools in the country like Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, Florida State and many others.

Arch Manning is another name that could factor in. Manning, a true freshman and former five-star recruit, is the nephew of legendary quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. Manning has not appeared in any games for the Longhorns this season. Manning's recruitment was one of the most nationally-followed recruitments ever.

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