The Texas Longhorns are finally back, and Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff against Texas State should give fans their first real look at this season’s team before the bigger Week 2 test against Ohio State.
That said, a Week 1 opener like this comes with its own set of expectations. Texas has the kind of matchup that can turn into a comfortable, one-sided afternoon, but history suggests Steve Sarkisian usually keeps things measured rather than turning the offense loose for four quarters.
The most likely script starts with Texas trying to seize control early, then shifting into a more conservative mode once the lead is secure. That means more clock management, more running plays, and a strong chance the backups get plenty of work before it’s over. The goal is simple: win, and get out healthy.
Passing volume may stay modest, too. In Texas’ last three season openers against unranked opponents, the starting quarterback averaged 248.33 passing yards and 27 attempts. That doesn’t point to a team that comes out firing nonstop, even with a new receiving threat in Cam Coleman in the mix.
The ground game may not be featured in a big-stat kind of way either. In those same three openers, no Texas running back topped 12 carries, and none reached 100 rushing yards. So while the offseason focus has been on improving the run game with Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown arriving through the transfer portal, Saturday may be more about keeping everyone fresh than putting up highlight numbers.
The pass rush also might not get a full test right away. Texas State is expected to lean on a quicker approach, using screens and short passes to get the ball out before the rush can fully arrive. That means the talent along Texas’ defensive line may be there, but the Bobcats’ game plan could keep the pressure from showing up in a dramatic way early.
For Texas, Week 1 is less about style points and more about settling in, stacking a clean win, and moving on to the real challenge that’s waiting next.
In Other News...
Sarkisian Put Texas In An Awkward Spot On Eligibility Fight
Texas found itself pulled into a growing college football eligibility fight after Steve Sarkisian spoke sharply about players trying to come back to campus after dabbling in the NFL. The Texas coach called that kind of return morally wrong, a stance that has only gained more attention as players around the sport push to regain college eligibility after time with pro teams and as the new return ban faces legal challenges.
The awkward part for Texas is that one of its own players is already in the middle of the issue. Offensive lineman Cole Hutson has been seeking to regain eligibility after taking part in NFL minicamps without signing a contract, and his case has become part of the broader legal push against the new rules. For a program trying to keep its focus on the field, the story has turned into an uncomfortable reminder that this debate is no longer happening somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Texas O-Line Gets A Needed Boost With Bigger Questions Still Lurking
The Longhorns got a welcome midcamp lift when Steve Sarkisian said Trevor Goosby and Laurence Seymore are back at practice after dealing with injuries. Goosby is moving along within a two-to-three-week recovery window after a preseason bone bruise, while Seymore has rejoined the group after missing time with camp injuries. For a Texas offensive line that has been working to build depth and continuity, getting both bodies back on the field matters as the schedule draws closer.
Their returns help stabilize a unit that has needed every available rep, but they also sharpen the next layer of questions for Texas. The Longhorns are still sorting out how the line will come together in the weeks ahead, and practice time now carries added importance as Sarkisian looks to get the group ready for upcoming games. Getting healthier is one thing; finding the right mix once everyone is available is the part Texas still has to answer. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Enters Week 1 With Texas Facing One Huge Test
Arch Manning heads into Week 1 with Texas looking for the kind of steady start that can validate all the offseason optimism around his second season as the starter. Steve Sarkisian has sounded confident about Mannings consistency, and the Longhorns have also tried to make the offense feel more natural for him by adjusting the playbook to fit his preferences while integrating new pieces around him.
Theres also some encouraging injury news up front, with key linemen Trevor Goosby and Laurence Seymore getting work in practice as the opener approaches. For a Texas team expecting Manning to operate at a high level, those developments matter because the first real test will come quickly, and the Longhorns want as few unknowns as possible when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]