Alex Dunlap (0-0)
If Texas doesn’t roll in this game, everyone needs to really adjust their expectations for the rest of the season. Just look at Jason’s matchups column. This should be a time to get a look at some new faces and get a feel for how the team in general will operate after being shut out from practice availabilities for almost an entire calendar year. For all of our sakes, let’s hope it goes smoothly.
Texas 55 - UTEP 10
Geoff Ketchum (0-0)
It seems unlikely that the Longhorns will come out in the opener firing on all cylinders, so don't be surprised if it takes a quarter for the kinks to be worked out, which means... don't panic if it's 7-0 at the end of the first 15. Eventually, the cream will rise to the top in this match-up against one of the worst teams in the country. Herman and his staff want to get the back-ups in during the third quarter so who am I to argue?
Texas 44 - UTEP 9
Dustin McComas (0-0)
Let's just get this out of the way: UTEP might be the worst division one college football team. If it isn't the worst, it'll be in the bottom five. So, if the Longhorns don't put this one into cruise control with the backups in the third quarter, I'll be dusting off my meltdown gear and preparing for battle.
Sure, there will be rust on both sides of the football, and perhaps a communication breakdown here or there on defense that affords UTEP an opportunity for a big play. But Texas should be able to run the ball whenever it wants, and I think we'll be talking after about how dominant the defensive line was in the most favorable situation it'll see all season. Bijan Robinson will break off at least one long touchdown run late to push Texas over the 50-point mark.
Texas 52 - UTEP 10
Anwar Richardson (0-0)
Texas should dominate UTEP from start to finish. Considering I was told Texas had a great week of practice, I am not concerned about the Longhorns starting slow against a bad opponent.
Chris Ash's defense should punish UTEP. If I see the Longhorns pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers, it means Ash had an immediate impact, and this tune-up game could indicate the best team of Tom Herman's tenure.
Other than that, I expect Sam Ehlinger to play well and enjoy cheering for the backup quarterbacks in the second half.
Texas 55 - UTEP 17
Jason Suchomel (0-0)
Despite being 1-0, this is a bad UTEP team that’s breaking in a new quarterback and lost one of its top running backs this week when he opted out for the season.
Yes, UTEP has the benefit of having a game under its belt and Texas will likely have to shake off some rust, but there’s no reason this game should be close past the mid-point of the second quarter. It’s not a matter of if Texas will win, but how dominant the Longhorns are could be a good indicator of how the rest of the season will play out. I’ll take Texas in a blowout.
Texas 52 – UTEP 10
Quarter
If Texas doesn’t roll in this game, everyone needs to really adjust their expectations for the rest of the season. Just look at Jason’s matchups column. This should be a time to get a look at some new faces and get a feel for how the team in general will operate after being shut out from practice availabilities for almost an entire calendar year. For all of our sakes, let’s hope it goes smoothly.
Texas 55 - UTEP 10
Geoff Ketchum (0-0)
It seems unlikely that the Longhorns will come out in the opener firing on all cylinders, so don't be surprised if it takes a quarter for the kinks to be worked out, which means... don't panic if it's 7-0 at the end of the first 15. Eventually, the cream will rise to the top in this match-up against one of the worst teams in the country. Herman and his staff want to get the back-ups in during the third quarter so who am I to argue?
Texas 44 - UTEP 9
Dustin McComas (0-0)
Let's just get this out of the way: UTEP might be the worst division one college football team. If it isn't the worst, it'll be in the bottom five. So, if the Longhorns don't put this one into cruise control with the backups in the third quarter, I'll be dusting off my meltdown gear and preparing for battle.
Sure, there will be rust on both sides of the football, and perhaps a communication breakdown here or there on defense that affords UTEP an opportunity for a big play. But Texas should be able to run the ball whenever it wants, and I think we'll be talking after about how dominant the defensive line was in the most favorable situation it'll see all season. Bijan Robinson will break off at least one long touchdown run late to push Texas over the 50-point mark.
Texas 52 - UTEP 10
Anwar Richardson (0-0)
Texas should dominate UTEP from start to finish. Considering I was told Texas had a great week of practice, I am not concerned about the Longhorns starting slow against a bad opponent.
Chris Ash's defense should punish UTEP. If I see the Longhorns pressuring the quarterback and creating turnovers, it means Ash had an immediate impact, and this tune-up game could indicate the best team of Tom Herman's tenure.
Other than that, I expect Sam Ehlinger to play well and enjoy cheering for the backup quarterbacks in the second half.
Texas 55 - UTEP 17
Jason Suchomel (0-0)
Despite being 1-0, this is a bad UTEP team that’s breaking in a new quarterback and lost one of its top running backs this week when he opted out for the season.
Yes, UTEP has the benefit of having a game under its belt and Texas will likely have to shake off some rust, but there’s no reason this game should be close past the mid-point of the second quarter. It’s not a matter of if Texas will win, but how dominant the Longhorns are could be a good indicator of how the rest of the season will play out. I’ll take Texas in a blowout.
Texas 52 – UTEP 10
Quarter
