The Texas State Bobcats and Texas Longhorns meet Saturday in college football action at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Here’s a Texas vs Texas State Prediction. This article will include a Texas vs Texas State Pick.
Texas State Bobcats Betting Preview
Texas State has made a bowl trip in three straight seasons and enters the fourth year under coach G.J. Kinne. Texas State has won a combined 23 games in the last three seasons.
Quarterback Brad Jackson returns after throwing for 3,224 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushing for 17 scores. Jackson is arguably the best quarterback the casual fan has never heard of. Texas State also returns two 1,000-yard receivers in Chris Dawn Jr. and Beau Sparks. The Bobcats are bringing explosive offensive ability to the PAC-12. New defensive coordinator Will Windham will hope to bring a more disciplined unit that adds balance to the team. Ryan Nolan, Ayden Jones, and Terrence Cooks II return as three of the Bobcats’ top-six tacklers. Texas State is going to be fun and has upset potential for anybody given the offensive firepower.
Texas Longhorns Betting Preview
Texas has won double-digit games in each of the last three seasons and hopes this is the year it gets over the hump. Steve Sarkisian has the Longhorns heading in the right direction.
Texas has a superstar quarterback in Arch Manning who is a Heisman candidate and gives the Longhorns a fighting chance nightly. He has new toys to play with given the transfers from Cam Coleman, Hollywood Smothers, and Raleek Brown. Will Muschamp takes over as defensive coordinator, and he has difference-makers in Colin Simmons and Rasheem Biles. Texas is one of the more complete teams in the country and is a popular pick to lift the trophy. We’ll see if the Longhorns can fulfill expectations.
Why the Texas Longhorns will win
- Texas has won each of its last 20 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Texas State has lost four of its last five road games.
- Texas State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against AP-ranked teams.
- Texas has covered the spread in five of its last six season openers as a favorite.
- Texas has won the first half each of its last 14 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Texas has won the first quarter in each of its last 12 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Why the Texas State Bobcats will win
- Texas State has won each of its last three road openers as an underdog.
- Texas has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games as a top-10 AP-ranked team.
- Texas State has covered the spread in five of its last six games as an underdog against teams from Texas.
- Texas State has won the first quarter in three of its last four games as a road underdog.
- Texas State has won the first half in each of its last seven games against teams from Texas.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Texas’ last five home openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Texas State’s last five games as a road underdog have gone UNDER the total points line.
Texas Longhorns Player Prop Facts
- Colin Simmons has recorded at least one sack in five consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS.
Texas State Bobcats Player Prop Facts
- Beau Sparks has recorded 50+ receiving yards in 14 consecutive games – longest streak in the FBS.
Matchup/League Facts
- Texas has overturned the largest 3rd quarter deficit to win a game last season – 17 points vs Mississippi State.
- Texas ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game last season (2.0).
- Texas State has suffered the most equal road losses by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team last season (3).
- Texas State ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game last season (10.9).
Texas vs Texas State Prediction
Texas is obviously the more talented team across the board and could produce a blowout. However, Texas State is loaded offensively and should be able to put together a drive or two. Texas State also has an experienced defense. Texas State has a chance to surprise people in the Pac-12 this season. Also, Texas has Ohio State on deck, so this is a look-ahead spot, and I have zero doubt that the Longhorns spent a lot of this offseason on that Buckeyes game plan. Texas State has a chance to catch Texas napping a bit. Give me the points with the Bobcats.