Texas vs Texas State: Texas State and Texas are facing off at the start of the new college football season in the United States. This will be their first meeting since 1930, almost 96 years after their last matchup. The match will be held on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
Texas is entering this match with high expectations. The team has won 10 or more games in three consecutive seasons. This is the team’s sixth season under head coach Steve Sarkisian. On the other hand, Texas State has also built a strong team with experienced players.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian praised the work of Texas State coach G.J. Kinne. According to him, Texas State has strengthened its team in recent times. The team now plays in the Pac-12 and has several experienced players on their squad.
Texas vs Texas State: Texas State’s Experienced Team
One of Texas State’s biggest strengths is the team’s experience. There are many players on the squad who are still playing college football in their fourth, fifth or sixth year.
So the match will not be easy for Texas. The Longhorns will have to be especially careful with Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson.
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Jackson contributed nearly 4,000 yards of total offense last season. He’s not just good at passing. He can also run the ball himself if needed.
According to Sarkisian, Jackson has three aspects that can cause problems for Texas. He can pass well, run the ball strategically and make big plays even when he’s out of the pocket.
Texas vs Texas State: Stopping Brad Jackson Is a Big Challenge
This game is especially important for Texas’ defense. Will Muschamp is back as Texas’ defensive coordinator. His defense is aggressive and wants to put pressure on the opponent.
But they’ll also have to be patient when dealing with Texas State’s quarterback.
Jackson rushed for more than 700 yards last season. So Texas’ defensive players will have to keep their positions in check. Especially during the pass rush, if a player gives up his space, Jackson can take advantage of that opportunity.
The goal for Texas will be to put pressure on Jackson, but at the same time not give him an easy opportunity to get out of the pocket.
Texas vs Texas State: Texas Must Handle the Fast Attack
It’s not just Jackson, Texas State‘s fast-paced style of play could also be a test for Texas.
Running a fast attack requires the opposing defense to make decisions in a short period of time. So Texas players need to communicate quickly on the field and be ready in their positions before the ball is snapped.
Sarkisian believes that keeping the pace of the game under control will be important for Texas. Making the right defensive calls and setting up quickly can play a big role early in the game.
Texas vs Texas State: Arch Manning Leads Texas’ Offense
Texas also has high expectations on offense. Arch Manning is entering his second season as the team’s starting quarterback.
Manning passed for 3,163 yards in the 2025 season. He passed for 26 touchdowns. He also rushed for 399 yards and scored a team-high 10 rushing touchdowns.
In his first full season as Texas’ starting quarterback, the team went 12-3.
Manning’s performance was especially impressive late in the season. He was directly involved in a total of 20 touchdowns in the last six games.
Texas is expecting similar performances from him again this season.
Texas vs Texas State: More Weapons on Texas’ Offense
Alongside Arch Manning, Texas’ offense has a few other key players.
Ryan Wingo led Texas last season with 770 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Auburn’s Cam Coleman has also added new energy to Texas’ passing game. His speed and ability to make big plays can make Texas’ offense more dangerous.
But coach Sarkisian doesn’t just want to have star players. He wants the entire team to play according to plan on the field.
Texas vs Texas State: Handling the Pressure of the First Game
It is natural for players to feel extra pressure during the first match of the new season. After weeks of competing against each other in practice, they will now have to put that preparation to use in the real match.
Sarkisian wants his players to play clean and controlled football. They should remain calm and carry out their responsibilities properly during the crucial moments of the match.
There can be excitement and nervousness about the first match. However, once the players take the field, they need to let go of that pressure and focus on their natural game.
Texas vs Texas State: A Reunion After 1930
The distance between the two campuses of Texas and Texas State is only about 30 miles. But despite being so close, the two teams have not played each other regularly.
Their last match was in 1930. In that match, Texas won 36-0.
This time, the two teams are meeting again after almost 96 years. So the match is not only the first match of the new season, but also a reunion for the two teams after a long break.
Texas vs Texas State: Texas’ Home-Field Advantage
Texas will play this match on its own field. The team has currently won nine consecutive home games.
In addition, Texas has won 21 consecutive games on its own field against unranked opponents. As a result, this home field record should give the Longhorns confidence in the match against Texas State.
However, Texas State’s experienced squad and players like Brad Jackson could make this a challenging game for the Longhorns.
Texas vs Texas State: When and Where to Watch
The match between Texas and Texas State will be held on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The match is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM.
Texas will start the new season with high expectations. Texas State, on the other hand, will be looking to show their mettle against a strong opponent.
This is a special match for both teams because it marks their first meeting since 1930. Which team can execute its plan better on the field could make a big difference in the outcome of the match.
