If Texas is going to make its first appearance in the College Football Playoff, it will have to get there without its stud running back. Jonathon Brooks sustained a torn ACL in this past Saturday’s 29-26 win at TCU, and he will miss the remainder of the season.
Brooks had 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Horned Frogs. He also had three catches for 74 yards.
For the season, Brooks has 1,139 rushing yards, 10 TDs and a 6.1 yards-per-carry average. The third-year sophomore has 25 receptions for 286 yards and one TD.
Without Brooks, the Longhorns will look to get more milage out of true freshman CJ Baxter and sophomore Jaydon Blue. Baxter has 390 rushing yards, three TDs and a 4.5 YPC average. He also has 12 catches for 63 yards.
Blue has 167 rushing yards and one TD with a 5.8 YPC average.
Brooks is third in the Big 12 and sixth nationally in rushing yards.
As of Tuesday night, Texas (9-1 straight up, 4-5-1 against the spread) was listed as a 7.5-point road favorite for Saturday’s Big 12 showdown at Iowa St. The Longhorns are unbeaten in four road assignments with a 2-2 ATS record.
Steve Sarkisian’s team will close the regular season at home vs. Texas Tech.
FanDuel currently has Texas has 18/1 odds to win the CFP. Those are the eighth-shortest odds. The Longhorns are the -165 ‘chalk’ to win the Big 12 Championship Game. Their odds to make the CFP are +240.