News Summary
The No. 8 Texas Longhorns are gearing up to host the Sam Houston Bearkats for a critical non-conference game. Texas, with a 2-1 record, aims to address quarterback Arch Manning’s recent struggles and improve red zone efficiency before starting SEC play. The Bearkats, struggling at 0-3, hope to turn their season around with a win against their ranked opponents. Fans are eager for a display of improvement from the Longhorns as pressure mounts ahead of challenging SEC matchups.
Austin, Texas – The No. 8 Texas Longhorns are set to host the Sam Houston Bearkats for a crucial non-conference showdown on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Royal-Memorial Stadium. This game serves as Texas’s final opportunity to fine-tune their roster before commencing their Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule.
Currently, Texas holds a record of 2-1 after a recent victory over UTEP, in which they triumphed 27-10. However, the Longhorns are grappling with some challenges, including quarterback Arch Manning’s performance, which has raised questions. In his last outing, Manning experienced considerable difficulty, completing only a fraction of his passes, with an alarming stretch of 10 consecutive incompletions. Adding to the team’s woes, starting running back CJ Baxter exited the game against UTEP with a hamstring injury, further affecting the offensive strategy.
The Longhorns are particularly focused on improving their red zone scoring efficiency, where they currently rank 130th in the nation. This statistic is of concern, especially with the highly competitive SEC play looming ahead. Beyond that, the pressure is mounting on Coach Steve Sarkisian to refine Manning’s skills and the overall offensive play before facing formidable SEC opponents like Florida on October 4.
On the other side of the field, the Sam Houston Bearkats enter this match with an unfortunate record of 0-3. They previously finished last season with a respectable 10-4, including a victory over Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl. However, their current form poses a stark contrast, having recently suffered a 37-20 defeat to Hawaii. The Bearkats will undoubtedly be looking to turn their season around and secure a statement win against the ranked Longhorns.
Historically, Texas has dominated the series against Sam Houston, with an all-time record of 1-0 following a dominant victory in their last meeting in 2006, where they won 56-3. As a result, analysts predict a sizable spread in favor of the Longhorns, anticipated to be around 40.5 points, with an over/under set at 50.5 points for the game.
As the game approaches, players to keep an eye on for the Bearkats include quarterback Mabrey Mettauer and defensive back/punt returner Emon Allen. Notably, there are several local connections between the teams, including Allen and Fatu Mukuba, adding a personal touch to the matchup. This local interest may inspire the Bearkats as they face a tough opponent on the road.
The Longhorns’ defense has generally performed well, but one area of concern remains their pass defense, which ranks among the weakest in the nation. This could be an opportunity for Sam Houston to exploit as they seek to achieve their first win of the season.
The atmosphere around Texas football is tense, especially after mixed results from previous games. Fans have expressed their frustrations regarding the offense, creating additional pressure as the team transitions into the SEC. The weather forecast for Saturday is expected to be hot and sunny, with temperatures hovering in the mid-90s, which may influence player performance on the field.
In terms of individual performances, Arch Manning’s name continues to be a talking point, especially as his NIL value has dropped to $5.5 million following a series of unimpressive outings, although he remains the highest-valued college football player. This ongoing scrutiny places additional emphasis on the importance of the game against Sam Houston.
Following this matchup, the Longhorns will not return to Austin until November 4, when they face Vanderbilt. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Texas as they gear up for conference play and seek to solidify their position as a contender in the SEC.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Texas Longhorns Struggle Against UTEP, Prepare for Sam Houston
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Texas Longhorns Secure Win Despite Offensive Struggles
Additional Resources
- SI.com: Texas Tech’s Massive NIL Spending
- Wikipedia: College Football
- Statesman: Texas Longhorns vs. Sam Houston Preview
- Google Search: Texas Longhorns football
- USA Today: College Football Playoff Prediction
- Google Scholar: College football playoff
- SI.com: Texas A&M Currently Better Than Texas Longhorns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas A&M University
- Houston Chronicle: Arch Manning and Texas vs. Sam Houston
- Google News: Arch Manning
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
