Inside Texas Roundtable: Score predictions, QB expectations, matchups to watch, and more

The No. 7 Texas Longhorns face the BYU Cougars for the first time in almost a decade on Saturday. The Inside Texas staff offers score predictions, storylines to watch, expectations for quarterbacks, and more in the IT Roundtable.

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Maalik Murphy will start at quarterback. What do you want to see from No. 6 in his first start?

Eric Nahlin – Composure and good decision-making. He’s a confident player with awesome physical tools but he’s inexperienced. Hopefully Steve Sarkisian has a game plan matched to his strengths.

Justin Wells – A cool, calm game-manager. Let the running backs run and give Murphy easy, early reads.

Ian Boyd – On time decisions and accuracy in the RPO game and whatever Sark draws up to help him get in rhythm and distribute the ball to all of their skill talent. He doesn’t need to be great to beat BYU, he just needs to do his job.

Joe Cook – Of course, he has to protect the football but Sarkisian recruited Murphy because of his ability to push the ball downfield. In addition to protecting the football, something every QB is tasked with, I want to see how he fares throwing deep. Those are often read one on Sarkisian’s shot plays and it shouldn’t be the most difficult read. Let it fly!

Gerry Hamilton – The willingness to throw the ball in the stands if under duress from the outset. Not force the ball, and thus turn the ball over. Understand that while he has a big arm, living to play another down is always smart.

Bobby Burton – Lead the offense in a competent, confident manner. And NO turnovers.

Paul Wadlington – Settle into the game and don’t try to do to much against a BYU defense built entirely around subterfuge and forcing turnovers. Take care of the ball and they’re perfectly ordinary. The opportunities will present themselves.

BYU is No. 3 nationally in turnover margin. Who wins the turnover battle between the Longhorns and the Cougars?

Eric Nahlin – I’ll go with the Cougars on this one on the strength of differences in experience at quarterback.

Justin Wells – BYU takes a lot of chances on defense. The Cougars might potentially get a few more TOs, but Texas might make them pay for it.

Ian Boyd – This is probably the scariest part of the game for Texas, but the Longhorns should be able to tee off on the BYU passing game and come out ahead.

Joe Cook – I think we see a 1-1 draw. Texas forced turnovers versus Houston, and that trend will continue.

Gerry Hamilton – Draw. Two turnovers each Saturday.

Bobby Burton – BYU. They forced 5 turnovers against Tech’s backup QB last week.

Paul Wadlington – In a turnover battle, is there really any winner?

Aside from defending crossing routes, what do you want to see most from the Texas defense?

Eric Nahlin – BYU should set up well as a ‘get right’ game for the defense. I’d like to see UT hold BYU under their season averages in the important metrics, especially scoring.

Justin Wells – A better understanding in the secondary and situational awareness by Pete Kwiatkowski.

Ian Boyd – A return to good 3rd down defense which doesn’t rely on poorly executed blitz packages.

Joe Cook – Injuries in the secondary may make this a tougher task, but keep the coverage tight. I wouldn’t be surprised if BYU runs something similar to Wyoming. There is value in limiting how far the chunks can go, but Texas should realize the deep ball isn’t Kedon Slovis‘ game. Make some of the intermediate passes a bit more tougher considering Slovis’ skill set.

Gerry Hamilton – Pass rush from the linebackers in blitz packages. BYU has been solid in pass pro, so Texas will have to bring numbers. Texas needs the LBs to be playmakers Saturday, and bringing them on blitzes is a very good plan against a pocket passer.

Bobby Burton – The back end of the defense needs to force Slovis to make tight throws. They can’t just let it be pitch and catch.

Paul Wadlington – BYU has the worst offense in the Big 12. Cover their wide receivers when they go four wide and empty, don’t worry about accounting for the QB as a scrambler or runner, rush upfield with aggression, and shut them down. This isn’t an offense where you have to concede anything. Dust off the Rice gameplan, more or less.

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If Arch Manning plays, what are your expectations for him?

Eric Nahlin – RPOs and more RPOs. I think there’s a good chance we see him.

Justin Wells – To play so well he doesn’t leave the field for the next three years.

Ian Boyd – If Manning plays I want to see the same things from him that Murphy needs to offer in order to win. Make accurate, on-time throws on the easy reads Sark draws up, take care of the ball, and establish a foundation of steady play.

Joe Cook – I think we’ll see some wow plays but we’ll see some freshman plays, too. My expectations are that he’ll play well but not well enough to where we’re questioning Sark on Sunday for why Manning didn’t play more.

Gerry Hamilton – He will be cool and calm. It’s in his DNA, and I saw it up close at Isidore Newman. He will look like he belongs.

Bobby Burton – He’ll be similar to Murphy. He’ll look really good sometimes and like a deer in headlights at others.

Paul Wadlington – If he doesn’t perform like a 5th year NFL Peyton Manning, he’s a bust. Seriously, my advice is no different for him than for Murphy. Don’t force anything and take your shots when they present themselves.

Game prediction

Eric Nahlin – 27-17, Texas

Justin Wells – 35-17, Texas

Ian Boyd – 35-17, Texas

Joe Cook – 31-17, Texas

Gerry Hamilton – 27-13, Texas

Bobby Burton – 23-16, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 27-14, Texas