Texas Longhorns vs. Iowa State Cyclones Score Predictions

The Texas Longhorns might not be facing a top-10 Alabama or Oklahoma team, but considering what is on the line, they are entering their biggest game of the season on Saturday night against the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames.

Whether it is the College Football Playoff or the Big 12 title, Texas cannot afford a hiccup vs. the Cyclones. And on senior night the crowd in Ames will not make it easy, in what should be the final scheduled matchup between the two teams for quite some time.

So can the Longhorns block out the noise and take care of business in a venue in which they have not had a lot of success?

LonghornsCountry.com's staff gives their predictions for the game below:

Matt Galatzan, Managing Editor and Publisher

Texas has struggled over the last few games in closing out opponents, blowing double-digit leads in three of the last four outings. Losing their top running back, Jonathon Brooks, won't help fix that problem.

That said, whether they want to admit it or not, the Cyclones have given the Horns all the motivation they need to go into Ames and put on a dominant performance.

I think Texas not only takes care of business but makes a statement that they are the best one-loss team in the country.

Texas 41, Iowa State 17

Longhorns vs. Iowa State: Keys To The Game

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

This is the trap game of all trap games. Iowa State must win to stay alive in the hunt for a Big 12 title. Texas needs to claim victory if it hopes to punch its ticket to Arlington.

Fans on the Forty Acres have been clutching the defibrillator on Saturdays for weeks in the fourth quarter. At some point, a cat runs into its 10th life and won't survive the fall. Is this the week in Ames?

No, but this is the ninth life. A scare against Texas Tech next Friday is unacceptable.

Texas 24, Iowa State 21

Kevin Borba, Staff Writer

The Longhorns haven't been playing their best ball as of late, blowing three 20-point leads in the last four games. You would think one or maybe even two would be a wake-up call, but now they are heading into Ames, Iowa against an Iowa State team that always plays them tough.

Iowa State gave Texas some fuel with comments made earlier in the week, which should inspire them. That along with the fact they are playing for a College Football Playoff spot. I think Texas wins, but I don't think it will be pretty.

Texas 28, Iowa State 17

Tori Garcia, Staff Writer

It's crunch time for the Longhorns as the playoff picture is right around the corner. With Texas averaging 33.8 points per game, it will de difficult for Iowa State to contain the Longhorns' offense.

One downfall for Texas, however, is Brooks' season-ending injury, so the Longhorns will need to adjust to his absence in their run game.

While this is a season-defining game for the Cyclones, the Longhorns are more hungry for a championship title than ever before.

Texas 35, Iowa State, 28