We are down to 66 days until Texas football is back and it’s another Wildcard Wednesday. I wanted to focus on the two “lay-up games” on the Longhorns schedule, Texas State and UTSA. The Longhorns are favored to win both games by a wide margin, but I do believe both represent interesting challenges that could be important for Texas this season.
Let’s start with the team that’ll kick off the “All-In” season, the Texas State Bobcats. Texas State is a team that could very well factor into the CFP conversation among the Group of 5 teams. Beau Jackson at QB is an elite athlete, coming off a 3,200+ passing yard, 700+ rushing yard season.
Beau Sparks is his running mate at WR, coming off a 1,200-yard season but Chris Dawn Jr. is also back off a 1,000-yard campaign. Lincoln Pare left the RB room but Greg Burrell, who rushed for 671 yards last season, is back as the starter.
Texas will win ___ games in 2026?🤘 https://t.co/f4H2pK23Xtpic.twitter.com/LvARME0SNo
— On3 (@On3) June 29, 2026
Point being, this offense is going to be potent. Obviously Texas should have more than enough answers for them but it’ll be a nice test prior to Ohio State. The DL, particularly the edge defenders will need to contain Brad Jackson. The secondary will need to step up in man coverage against a strong WR duo. On top of that, the Texas offense will be facing an experienced defense that, at the very least, will test the Longhorns execution.
Brad Jackson, Beau Sparks & Chris Dawn Jr. in this GJ Kinne passing attack for Texas State🔥🔥🔥
As explosive an offense as you’ll find in America right now😤
A treat to call w/ @LaDarrin_McLane👊@TXSTATEFOOTBALL heads to Tempe to face ASU next week🍿pic.twitter.com/yNPWAWMd4K
— Jack Benjamin (@JackBenjaminPxP) September 7, 2025
Moving forward to the Roadrunners, they are the easier of the two opponents on paper. That being said, there are aspects of this team that will create questions for the Texas defense. Owen McCown is back for another season as the starter, alongside his star WRs, David Amador II and AJ Wilson. Robert Henry Jr. is out of the RB group but Will Henderson III notched 866 rushing yards last season. The offense is going to be potent, and more importantly, experienced.
The defense is more transfer-laden but is experienced and returns a number of contributors from a year ago. This is a team that has experience, confidence and, under Jeff Traylor, has been consistently well-coached. Coming off the Ohio State game, it will be the perfect team to keep the Longhorns attention and not allow for a true “let down game”.
Jeff Traylor watches pregame warmups ahead of the spring game pic.twitter.com/wfnysQ83Vn
— JJ Perez (@theJJPerez) April 25, 2026
Texas State and UTSA are not games Texas should lose or really come close to losing. However, they do provide really important tests for this Texas team that will benefit them long-term. The Texas State game will force the defense to play disciplined and smart, avoiding major errors to start the season. UTSA will force the offense to execute cleanly and keep Texas from losing focus after the Ohio State game.
This Texas schedule is remarkably difficult and it starts in Week One. In my opinion, the benefit of that will outweigh the negatives. Texas State will get the defense ready for the insane challenge Ohio State will present. UTSA will force the culture and leadership of this team to shine. Those are the things that can get you to a CFP and win you a National Championship down the road.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Texas State, UTSA are perfect ‘layups’ for Texas
