Texas Longhorns Look to Extend Winning Streak Against BYU

The Longhorns enter this conference series looking to keep up their winning ways.

Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA

It is another short week in conference play for the Texas Longhorns (18-11, 6-3), folks, as they get ready to welcome the BYU Cougars (11-14, 4-8) for a conference clash. Instead of the typical Friday-Sunday weekend schedule, the two teams will play a three-game set opening on Thursday and wrapping up on Saturday. 

These two programs are entering this Big 12 series on dramatically different trajectories. The Longhorns, despite their ups and downs, come into this showdown riding a decent wave of momentum. They have won three straight games, and have won every conference series so far.

On the other hand, the Cougars have hit a rough patch recently. Losers of their last six games, they have won just one conference series to date against the Houston Cougars -- the team BYU currently finds itself tied for last in the Big 12 standings. 

Texas infielder Jalin Flores (1) throws the ball to first base in the second inning of the / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA

How to watch/listen:

Game 1: Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

Game 2: Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

Game 3: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT (Longhorn Network/TexasSports.com/Audio)

BYU by the numbers:

• Record: 11-14 (4-8)

• Runs scored: 132

• Runs allowed: 148

• Team Avg.: .252

• Team Avg. allowed: .267

• Team ERA: 5.52

BYU wins this series if...

It can mimic the success other teams have had against the Longhorns and send their starting pitchers packing early. That sentiment rings especially true for their staff ace, Lebarron Johnson Jr. Johnson has the stuff to completely shut down a lineup and go deep into a ballgame but has struggled to do so consistently this season.

Behind him is the duo of Ace Whitehead and Max Grubbs, both of which were inserted into the rotation during the season. Impressing in their starts so far, they could very easily hit a wall against BYU. If the Cougars can get their bats going early and often, and get into Texas' bullpen, then it could leave Austin with a marquee conference series win in tow. 

Texas wins this series if...

It can keep doing what it has been doing so far in conference play. As things currently stand, the Longhorns find themselves tied with the Kansas State Wildcats for second in the Big 12 with a 6-3 record in conference play and just one game back of the Oklahoma Sooners. So winning this series at minimum would go a long way towards keeping them in contention for a conference title on their way out. 

Of course, doing that is much easier said than done and can only happen if the team comes out firing on all cylinders. From the pitching staff shutting down the Cougars' bats to the Texas' lineup continuing to mash, and everything in between. Playing clean, flawless baseball with all facets clicking should be enough to get the Longhorns another key series win in conference play and potentially a sweep if they play their best baseball.