Game Preview: UT travels to Kansas to face Wildcats

You would be hard pressed to find a college or pro team that has had more drama this year than the Texas Longhorns football team. Between addressing a racist history, having overtime losses and a head coach that could be fired any day according to rumors, the Texas Longhorns have played an almost complete football season.

Coming off a week where former national champion Urban Meyer's wife is looking at real estate in Ausitn, the Longhorns hit the road to face 4-5 Kansas State in Manhattan, Kansas.

The Wildcats have been spiraling. Kansas State lost their last four games and are coming off a tough loss to Baylor last week that ended in a 30-yard game-winning field goal.

And at home, Texas led #13 Iowa State for three quarters before surrendering 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, letting their Big 12 title hopes slip down the drain while adding more chatter about a potential coaching change at the end of the season.

For Texas, the Longhorns are already down one offensive linemen as junior offensive linemen Samuel Cosmiopted out of the season earlier this week to prepare for the 2021 NFL draft. Add in that senior center Derek Kerstetter has been dealing with an ankle injury, and the Longhorns offense is going to have some struggles.

Against the Cyclones last week, Texas was able to use quarterback Sam Ehlinger the way that many fans have thought he should be used all season, with the senior quarterback throwing and running for two total touchdowns.

Other than Ehlinger, it's been difficult for the Longhorns to have any consistency from their receiving and running back corps. Junior wide receiver Brennan Eagles had a big game against Iowa State last week, but it's going to take players like freshman running back Bijan Robinson to step up for the Longhorns to win.

Kansas State has one of the most disruptive defensive lines in the conference lead by junior defensive end Wyatt Hubert .

The Texas defense might be in for an easier weekend. Kansas State has struggled the past month scoring points with freshmen quarterback Will Howard under center. Big 12 defenses have been able to get to the young starter, pressuring Howard into costly turnovers. Howard leads the conference in interceptions with eight so far this season. Texas does give up the most yards per game in the passing game, but with a front line that includes linebacker Joseph Ossai, Texas fans should be able to sleep easy knowing that K-State should not score many points against Texas.

Rarely does a team that is 5-3 have a "must-win" game this late in the season. The chances for Texas to make the Big 12 Championship are down the drain, but if Head Coach Tom Herman wants to continue coaching he needs a win on his side.

The Longhorns kick off from Manhattan, Kansas at 11 a.m., and can be viewed on FOX.