The Week That Will Be (09.01.2026)

by HornMafia on Aug 30, 2025 1:28 AM CDT

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Running back Joe Bergeron #24 of the Texas Longhorns makes a second quarter long run down the sidelines against safety D. J. Johnson #12 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders on November 5, 2025 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)

How good is Texas going to be this year?

That's been the question you have heard the most this offseason. From the pimple nosed cashier at the grocery store that sees your Texas t-shirt to the annoying co-worker who smirks at you when asking that question to Small Talk Airport Guy to the annoying cousin that went to an inferior state school, to your wife when she's looking for something out of you other than a shrug of the shoulders and a grunt, you've no doubt heard it several times a week.

And, of course, the answer is always, all together now, it all depends on the quarterback.

Perhaps it is just Mack Brown being Mack Brown, but the fact that bowl game back-up Case McCoy is still in the conversation for the spot has terrified me for a good three weeks...because as we all know, if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have any.

Texas fans had hoped that incumbent David Ash would have risen up and could be a poor man's A.J. McCarron, who led Alabama to a national title despite throwing for 200 yards or less in 8 of their 13 victories.

And perhaps he could still be. After all, Alabama played two quarterbacks in their season opener against Kent State last season.But if he could be, why not just name him the starter? Unless, of course, Case McCoy has been Tom Brady minus the supermodel wife in summer practices, of which I have seen none unless you count um, going to a "friend's" house and watching the Longhorn Network's coverage of practice featuring the guy from the Real World that isn't Mike the Miz (imagine how much street cred we'd have then), and perpetual sideline guy Ahmad Brooks.

So we tell the airport guy that our defense should be "SEC-caliber", and then get immediately annoyed that everything is now judged in terms of that annoying conference. We tell the grocery store kid that the stable of running backs should be good enough that we will consider bringing back the Single Wing offense as a set base if a quarterback gets injured and we tell our co-worker that Ash's weapons include an Olympian and the sibling of a Texas legend who had a great year last year despite needing his own ward at the hospital.

But we walk out of the store or go back to our cubicle knowing that 11-1 wouldn't be a complete shock, but nor would another 7-5 campaign.

In previous years I might have ended this section with an inspiring passage on the meaning of the team motto RISE (Relentless Intensity Swagger Emotion), but now I immediately get droop-shoulder when considering that this team needs to be reminded to play with any of those four attributes. And of course I would like to end with a prediction that this year the Longhorns will find their way home to a BCS game or at least a January bowl game...

But who knows?

All we know is that the answer to the "How good is Texas going to be" question starts to be answered on Saturday.

Finally.

On to the games...

Boise State @ Michigan State -7:

Michigan State has the defense and running game to get back to the Big 10 championship game, while Boise State has to replace the all-time leader in victories as a quarterback in Kellen Moore, as well as 9 starters on defense.

The Spartans should be able to run, but that's what we thought when Boise beat Oregon (2009), Virginia Tech (2010) and Georgia (2011). But Boise has to have a down year at some point, right?

Michigan State 27 Boise State 17
ATS - Michigan State
SU - Michigan State

Notre Dame -16.5 vs. Navy:

Only Notre Dame can be a three-score favorite with their starting quarterback, running back and two main contributors on defense suspended. It very well could be a make or break year for Brian Kelly (already), and starting on a different continent against an opponent they have lost two of the last three meetings against isn't the safest of starts.

Notre Dame 27 Navy 24
ATS - Navy
SU - Notre Dame

Clemson -3.5 vs. Auburn:

Fitting the general theme of this terrible off-season, suspensions will play a role here as Clemson is missing star wide receiver Sammy Watkins and Auburn is without Reese Dismukes at center.

Clemson has the better talent here and should win...if new defensive coordinator Brent Venables can keep Auburn under the 70 points that the Tigers gave up in the Orange Bowl to West Virginia.

Clemson 31 Auburn 28
ATS - Auburn
SU - Clemson

Michigan vs. Alabama -14:

Michigan is going to have to get a HUGE game from Denard Robinson to win this game. No matter how many starters Alabama lost on defense, we all know that a Nick Saban/Kirby Smart defense is going to come to play.

I'm tempted to believe in Robinson here to at least keep it close, but this isn't Notre Dame and Indiana here.

Alabama 34 Michigan 16
ATS - Alabama
SU - Alabama

SMU @ Baylor -10:

The common sentiment outside of Waco seems to be that Baylor will go back to the bottom of the Big 12 after the loss of Robert Griffin III, but Art Briles always will be able to provide an offense, especially with experienced Nick Florence at quarterback and newcomer Lache Seastrunk at running back. No, the question will always be on defense...

Which is why a team like SMU with an experienced offense will be able to put up some points and stay close.

Baylor 34 SMU 31
ATS - SMU
SU - Baylor

Wyoming @ Texas -31:

If Texas is to make that next step this season, we should know quickly as Wyoming isn't your typical Multi-Directional State School of a State That Borders Ours. They've made two bowl games in Dave Christensen's three years, and yes, making a bowl game jokes ceased to be funny somewhere around the last snap of the 2010 season around here.

Quarterback Brett Smith was the Mountain West conference's freshman of the year last year, and went through a stretch mid-season where he threw 8 touchdown passes to zero interceptions. He might not even be in the top half of quarterbacks Texas faces this year, but he's certainly not one to beat his own team.

The warm and fuzzy feeling for Wyoming ends with their rush defense, which was gashed for 300 yards an astounding FIVE times last year and allowed 260 plus in three more. The three headed monster of Brown, Bergeron and Gray along with a searing heat that their defense cannot replicate in practice conditions spells disaster for the Cowboys...but have to see if from Texas before I can predict it.

Texas 38 Wyoming 10
ATS - Wyoming
SU - Texas

For entertainment purposes only. Save your money for going to a bar to see this game.

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Read More: Kellen Moore (QB - Boise St.), Robert Griffin III (QB - Baylor), Nick Florence (QB - Baylor), Denard Robinson (QB - Michigan), A.J. McCarron (QB - Alabama), Lache Seastrunk (RB - Baylor), Case McCoy (QB - Texas), Reese Dismukes (C - Auburn), Sammy Watkins (WR - Clemson), David Ash (QB - Texas), Michigan St. Spartans, Wyoming Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, Auburn Tigers, Clemson Tigers

Comments

Why so much worry over Wyoming?

Texas has more than enough offense and a good defense to make this game a non question at any level. Heck you can put in an average HS QB at UT and win this game.

Unless, there is something else bothering the Texas faithful? Could it be that the problem is not the players on the field but the generals leading and teaching may be the problem?

I think it is kind of funny right now to see this kind of worry from the UT fans that the magic has just warn off.

"I have not begun to fight" John Paul Jones whom I also share my name with.

by BleedRedBlackforTech on Aug 30, 2025 6:04 AM CDT reply actions

The QB worry isn't about wyoming

It’s about running through our schedule unblemished (or relatively so).

If we had VY or Colt back there with these coaches and surrounding talent we all believe we’d be a lock for the national title.

If we had joe average we all believe we will win at least 10 games (counting bowls). We didn’t last year so we didn’t. The worry is not that we won’t swamp Wyoming (we will) or Tech (Ditto) but rather do we have enough to beat the OU’s and WVU’s of our schedule. We all know we won’t beat KSU, in anything, ever.

by Wulaw Horn on Aug 30, 2025 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Worry?

I fail to see how predicting a 28 point victory constitutes worry. We currently have unanswered questions at oline, qb, wr & te but are very enthusiastic about our possibilities at all except possibly te. In my opinion this team will be as successful as our oline allows . Judging Ash base upon last year is folly. By the end of the year he’ll be considered one of the five best qbs in conference.
If “the magic has just worn off” references our confidence that’s an accurate assestment that’s a direct result of 13-12. If it’s a reference to our belief in this staff then it’s completely incorrect.

by ole tnhorn on Aug 30, 2025 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions

ole tnhorn

Yea, the magic reference was about how the win/loss record has looked the last couple years. I also just wanted to know if there were more than some who are not happy about the coaching over at UT. Although I am a Texas Tech student right now, I like college football and respect all the schools that play each other. I kind of limit my level of respect to just the Big 12 schools mostly.

But I also expect UT to crush Wyoming. I also hope when you guys come to Lubbock, that Ash has a case of the jitters and can not focus. I will be cheering for UT to beat people until the Tech game.

"I have not begun to fight" John Paul Jones whom I also share my name with.

by BleedRedBlackforTech on Aug 30, 2025 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow

Johnny boy your stirring things up. See you this weekend.

by Pablo M on Aug 30, 2025 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

2010 was bad, but led to the offensive overhaul that had been needed for years

2011 showed progress and a record that was worse than the overall quality of the team due to injuries, something I know a Tech fan an appreciate.

2012 has a little more of a 2008 feel…..and 2013 could be special.

There are always going to be fans that are unhappy with the coaching when a season ends in anything short of a national title (or a conference title which is a valid argument) . Right now, I’d say the vast majority of Texas fans agree with the decisions that have been made the last 18 months and are happy with the direction the ship appears to be headed.

by Horncasting on Aug 30, 2025 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions

The past 10 years

Whenever Texas has put up 50+ in the opening game, they’ve gone on to a good season. Less than 50 has been a harbinger of things to come.

If that correlation proves accurate, let us hope that you are wrong.

http://aseaofblue.com | https://www.barkingcarnival.com | @JC_Hoops

by jc25 on Aug 30, 2025 7:51 AM CDT reply actions

This.

Each of the last two years, we’ve beaten our opening opponents by 3+ scores – but in neither case would the fan base have told you they were confident in our chances of having successful seasons to follow. I guess we’re spoiled when a 17-point victory causes us all to roll our eyes and say, “Oh, no…not again.”

To err is human...but humans have such low standards.

by adt2 on Aug 30, 2025 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm picking Texas ATS in my fantasy picks

It’s more hope than anything… I agree that the first game has told us A LOT about the team the last two years. I think it will tell us a lot about the team this year.

I don’t know if 50 points is our threshold with us running the ball the bulk of the game. I’d like to see us up above 40+ points and keeping Wyoming in single digits or at the very most low teens.

45-10 or so is what I’m looking for.

by notsofst on Aug 30, 2025 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

50 is doable, if the defense is half what we think it is.

I mean, the key to scoring like that is the defense going out and getting multiple turnovers or just straight shutting them down. A 38-3 win feels as good to me as a 54-17 win.

by TexanNick on Aug 30, 2025 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions

This.

I’m very comfortable, even partial to, beating someone’s ass 34-7 over 55-28. Same differential, but a very different feel.

by Scipio Tex on Aug 30, 2025 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Good point JC

I remember Scipio writing last year (I believe) that this team has been remarkably similar to the result shown in the season opener.

I do think Wyoming is our best opening opponent in a while, though.

by HornMafia on Aug 30, 2025 8:33 AM CDT via iPhone app reply actions

Texas should have no problems rolling and running over Wyoming.

One of the worst defensive teams in the MWC last season and since Texas isn’t playing in the high school stadium at altitude it should be over by the first quarter.

Biggest worry will be how to settle down the over exuberant members of the fan base who are calling for Jeremy Hills to start ahead of Brown, Bergeron, and Gray after he goes for 150 in the second half.

Horn Mafia,

Obviously you have never heard of Boise State’s freshman Shane Rhodes, their next multiple purpose star. Tragically for the Broncos by the end of the game Sparty still won’t have heard of him and I do think this is the year Boise bites off more than they can chew in playing at State. As big a loss as Moore is the bigger losses are the six defenders who have gone onto the NFL.

by davey o'brien on Aug 30, 2025 2:58 PM CDT reply actions